RECIPIENT Questions MembershipAppointments Warehouse DONOR Questions Q: My organization is outside NYC, do I qualify?
A: Materials for the Arts is part of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and can only serve organizations in the five boroughs of New York City. The only exceptions to this has been to organizations in the tri-state area that only serve New York City residents.
Q: Can day care centers apply?
A: We are supported through the NYC Departments of Cultural Affairs, Sanitation and Education. We are not funded to support day care centers, early childhood centers or universal pre-k
Q: I am affiliated with a private/religious school. Does my organization qualify for materials?
A: Private or religious schools may apply but only for ongoing art programs open to the general public. An example would be an after school drama program.
Q: Does my fiscal sponsor need to be registered with MFTA or be in New York State?
A: No, your sponsor does not need to be registered with MFTA or be in New York State.
Q: My organization is located in NYC but we run a summer program upstate for NYC kids, do we qualify?
A: If your constituents are from NYC and you are based in NYC, your upstate summer program may qualify.
Q: I am starting an arts program, do I qualify?
A: Materials for the Arts cannot support a start up organization or an organization that has never had an arts program before. Once you have an established arts program up and running and you meet all of our other criteria, then you can apply.
Q: How long does it take to process an application?
A: Applications can be processed as quickly as two weeks. We suggest that you apply on line or download the application. The downloaded application can serve as a check list for items you will need to mail to complete the application process. Gathering and submitting all supplemental materials at the same time can expedite the process. Q: Do I need to make an appointment to visit the warehouse?
A: Yes, you do need an appointment to shop. Appointments can be made on line by your organizations registered contacts, provided we have an email on file. Appointments can be made over the phone, but can be more time consuming. Appointments are on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. We also have one special shopping evening on the first Monday of every month.
Q: How many people can I bring with me on a shopping visit?
A: You can bring two "helpers" who must stay with you while shopping. In other words, each group can have a total of three representatives, including you. Exceptions (with advance notice) include groups taking large quantities of furniture.
Q: What happens if I show up two hours late for my appointment?
A: We ask that you notify us if you will be late for or need to cance l your appointment. If you show up two hours late for your appointment and you haven't called to let us know, we may not be able to let you in.
Q: Do I need to cancel an appointment if I can’t come?
A: Yes. As soon as you know you will not be able to make your appointment please call us. Our shopping days are often booked to capacity and we often turn recipients away, so please be considerate when you need to cancel.
Q: Do you deliver the items that I have chosen?
A: No, we can't deliver items, but you can tag items until the next shopping day so you can arrange a truck. There is a list of truckers at check-in, but allow extra time if you are relying on an independent trucker to help you on your shopping day.
Q: If I don’t have a vehicle, can I leave my items and pick them up another day?
A: If you find durable items you are unable to take with you, you may tag them and pick them up on the next shopping day. You must request tags from the office and make an appointment for the next available shopping day.
Q: How often can I make an appointment?
A: Appointments can be made as often as they are necessary. Only one appointment per organization is allowed at a time. Therefore, if you try to make an appointment and someone else from your organization has already scheduled an appointment you will have to wait until after that appointment has taken place before you are able to make another.
Q: Is there a limit on the number of items I can take?
A: There is no limit to the number of items you can take. You should, however, be able to take all items with you. Only durable items (furniture, electronics, etc.) may be tagged for a later pick up. Q: Are you open on the weekends or evenings?
A: We are open on select Monday evenings from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Please check the appointment schedule for availability. We are closed on weekends.
Q: Do I really have to send thank you letters to the donors?
A: Once you are registe red with MFTA, the only requirement we have is that you send thank you letters to our donors. 75% of the people who donate to us tell us that they continue to donate because of the thank you letters they receive from our recipients. The thank you letters are also a way for recipients to promote their own organizations and market themselves to a broader audience. Q: Can you help me load up my vehicle?
A: No, we are a small staff and we are busy on shopping days. For this reason, bring helpers, make early appointments if you need extra time, and plan ahead when it comes to packing. We suggest you bring boxes and bags, make sure one of your helpers can drive, and do not take more than you can fit in your vehicle. Q: Why can’t I bring my shopping cart up through the passenger elevator?
A: The building rules require all carry on luggage and shopping carts to enter and exit the building through the freight elevators. This is a building rule and not an MFTA rule.
Q: Can I eat and drink in the warehouse?
A: We ask that you not bring food and drink into the warehouse as we try to maintain a clean, critter free environment at all times. Open drinks tend to make messy spills.
Q: If I call in advance will you set aside items for me?
A: Unfortunately, we cannot personally shop for the many thousands of organizations that use our service.
Q: Is there parking nearby?
A: Limited parking is available in the basement of our 33-00 Northern Blvd. Parking is $10 for up to 4 hours and closes promptly at 6:30pm on evening shopping days. There is additional street metered parking available in the neighborhood.
Q: Do you have tempera paint, watercolors, markers, video cameras and costumes?
A: The most successful shoppers, when asked what their secret is, always say "keep an open mind" and "you never know what you w ill find!" We agree. We may have markers, paints and other art supplies, or specialty items, but don't count on it. Two categories of items we have are supplies for art projects (fabric, paper, wall paint, trim and notion, and household supplies), and items for operations (including desks, chairs, files cabinets and office supplies, lumber and electrical supplies). Q: Do you take everything?
A: We generally take everything except food, clothing, beds, bedding , pharmaceuticals, weapons and toxic chemicals. All of the items we take must be immediately reusable so the table with three legs, as beautiful as it is, we can't accept since we are a reuse program not a repair program. We encourage you to contact us before you make a drop off donation in case there are items in your donation that we don't accept. We reserve the right to refuse any item if it is not in a condition that we deem acceptable. Q: Do you pick up everything?
A: No. Due to the demand for our services, we often book our truck up to two weeks in advance. Once your donation has been reviewed by our warehouse manager, we will make a determination about arranging a pick up. Generally we require a donation of at least 250 pounds or a value of $1000 to schedule a pick up. We also require elevator service to the ground level. Many items we will list on our Direct Donations service, e,g, appliances or one computer. Q: I need something picked up in two days, can you do that?
A: Since our service is in high demand we ask that you contact us at least two weeks before you want us to pick up your donation. We may be able to assist you with a donation that needs immediate removal so you should call us but do not count on our picking it up if you don't have any lead time. Q: When I donate, do I get a letter for my taxes?
A: Yes. As is customary with donations made to not for profits or City governments, we will send you a letter on Department of Cultural Affairs letterhead with the value of your donation clearly stated for use when filing your taxes. Q: I don’t know what my donation is worth? Can you set the value for the donation?
A: We do not set the value of donations. That is the right and privilege of the donor. We can talk you through it based on other donations of similar content and weight. Q: Can I include items I didn’t discuss with you when the drivers show up?
A: Our drivers are highly trained professionals so they will always check in with the warehouse manager before accepting an item that has not been previously discussed. If there is room on the truck and a need for the item in the warehouse, we may be able to accommodate last minute additions. |
