National Nonprofit Sees Record Year for Foundation and Organizational Grants in 2021, Including a $400,000 Grant from Islamic Relief USA to Help Afghan Refugees Resettle in the US

Gary Simmons Named Interim CEO as President and CEO Lisa Gurwitch Transitions Out

Delivering Good, whose mission is to provide people impacted by poverty and tragedy with new merchandise donated by retailers and manufacturers, announced today that product donations made through the organization totaled nearly $500 million over the last two years, including approximately $200 million in 2021 and a record-breaking $289 million in 2020. The national nonprofit also saw a record year for foundation and organizational grants in 2021, including a $400,000 grant from Islamic Relief USA to help Afghan refugees resettle in the US and an in-kind donation worth $300,000 from technology leader SAP to help Delivering Good build its product distribution platform.

In addition, Delivering Good announced that Gary Simmons has been named Interim CEO, as Lisa Gurwitch will be transitioning to join another organization in February 2022. Simmons and Gurwitch will work closely together over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition. The nonprofit has retained the firm of Berglass + Associates to assist in the search for a permanent President and CEO.

“In 2021, the ongoing pandemic, humanitarian crises and numerous extreme weather events impacted children, adults and families across the world, and we are honored to have been able to bring together donors and our partner network this past year to help distribute nearly $200 million worth of new goods to people in need,” said Andrea Weiss, Chair of Delivering Good. “We exceeded all of our organizational projections in 2021, following a record year in 2020, and we are extremely grateful for Lisa’s leadership not only over the past two years, but since she joined Delivering Good. Her tenure was marked by significant achievements in terms of diversification of our board, new community partnerships, technology improvements and more. We wish her much success and welcome our respected former colleague Gary Simmons back as our Interim CEO.”

Gurwitch, who has served as President and CEO of Delivering Good since January 2015, will be joining the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) as Chief Advancement Officer. During her tenure at Delivering Good, the nonprofit marked a number of milestones, including building a highly diverse board of directors whose unique backgrounds, skill sets and industry experience have ensured the organization operates efficiently and with maximum positive impact; establishing a strong technology infrastructure with support from industry leaders such as SAP; growing its partner network to more than 1,000 nonprofits in communities around the country; launching a Racial Equity pilot program to support the vision of a more equitable world; and developing the Vision 2025 strategic plan and Delivering Good vision statement.

Simmons previously served on the board of Delivering Good for more than 20 years, including more than four years as co-chair. He also chaired the board of Kids In Distressed Situations, one of the predecessors to Delivering Good. A retail industry veteran, Simmons was formerly CEO of Gerber Childrenswear and chair of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA).

About Delivering Good

Delivering Good is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides people impacted by poverty and tragedy with new merchandise donated by retailers and manufacturers. Since 1985, Delivering Good has distributed over $2 billion of new clothing, home goods, toys, furniture, books and other consumer products through its network of more than 1,000 community partners, offering hope, dignity and self- esteem to at-risk children, families and individuals. By uniting retailers, manufacturers, foundations and individuals, Delivering Good strives to help create a more equitable world where children, adults and families facing economic, medical, social and environmental challenges have useful items needed to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential. For more information about Delivering Good, please visit Delivering-Good.org or follow @DeliveringGood on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220106005721/en/