Giving guidelines

Our goal is for community partnerships to focus on impact in areas that unlock human promise and transform work, workers and workplaces. Specifically, we support the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the communities where we live and work:

• Quality Education
• Reduced Inequalities
• Climate Action

Organizations must be a nonprofit or non-governmental organization with recognized legal status in their respective country (equal to 501(c)(3) status under the US IRS code).

Steelcase does not donate to any organization that discriminates on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship, marital status, handicap, age, sexual orientation, sexual identity or veteran status.

We also do not donate to:

• Individual elementary, middle or secondary schools
• Religious organizations
• Governmental organizations (local, regional and national)
• Walks, runs, golf outings and other sport or recreational outings/events
• Sponsorships for trips (organizational or individual) on behalf of an organization
• Catastrophic individual illnesses or accidents
• Individual political candidates or political action committees

Does Steelcase Donate Used Products?

Through our Community “Returns” program, we occasionally donate used or like-new furniture. These products vary in style, quantity and condition. In the United States, our furniture donations are limited to areas where we have major manufacturing facilities (Grand Rapids, Michigan and Athens, Alabama). In these cases when furniture is granted, pick up arrangements must be made and pay for by the receiving organization. Please complete the Requesting a Community Partnership with Steelcase Inc. or contact our team at impact@steelcase.com.

Who Do I Talk To About Sponsoring My Organization’s Event or Fundraiser?

We believe in supporting the causes that our employees are invested in through service and giving. If you have a Steelcase employee serving on your board of directors, please complete the Requesting a Community Partnership with Steelcase Inc. or contact impact@steelcase.com.

I’m A Steelcase Employee and I’d like to make a Request for an Organization I Support. What Do I Do?

Please complete the Requesting a Community Partnership with Steelcase Inc. or contact our team at impact@steelcase.com to review our many opportunities for giving.

Will Steelcase Sponsor My Sporting Event?

Steelcase does not donate or sponsor to sporting outings, including but not limited to golf and bowling tournaments, walks, runs, etc.

How Do I Check On The Status Of My Request?

We will contact you within four weeks of receiving your donation request form.

My Non-Profit Organization Needs Steelcase Employees As Volunteers. Who Do I Talk To?

Steelcase welcomes requests for volunteer assistance or use of our facilities from tax-deductible, non-profit, charitable organizations. Please complete the Requesting a Community Partnership with Steelcase Inc. or contact our team at impact@steelcase.com.

How Do I Form a Strategic Community Partnership with Steelcase

We believe in the power of partnerships to accelerate impact in our communities. To begin the conversation, please review our guidelines and impact areas. Then, fill out the Requesting a Community Partnership with Steelcase Inc. and submit it to impact@steelcase.com.

My Request Was Approved. Can I Make Additional Donation Requests?

Yes. While we take into account the prior donations we’ve given to an organization, having received one donation from Steelcase doesn’t mean we won’t contribute again.

What is “Gray Market”?

The gray market (also spelled grey market) is where products are sold outside normal distribution channels by unauthorized resellers that have no official relationship with the manufacturer.  This market often employs irregular but not illegal methods to sell products at prices lower than those offered through official channels.

Who is an authorized Steelcase reseller?

Steelcase products are sold through a network of authorized resellers selected by Steelcase to deliver customer experiences consistent with the brand promise.  An authorized reseller not only distributes the products, but also provides the consumer all of the technical support, warranty repairs, after-warranty service, and well everything a consumer associates with what a manufacturer should do.  Authorized Steelcase resellers earn the right to sell the brand.  A listing of current authorized resellers is found on www.steelcase.com by clicking on the “Shop” tab.

How do I know if my Steelcase product is “Gray Market”?

If the deal seemed too good to be true, it probably was.  Gray market products may be less expensive than those bought through official distribution channels but are sometimes inferior.  The products may be second-hand products or contain second-hand components that are represented as new or authentic.  With the use of the Internet to sell goods, some gray market items are not designed for a particular market, so they may not function properly and cannot be supported by an authorized reseller.  Warranties, updates, or other support are usually not available for gray market products.

Note about Amazon.com

While Amazon.com is an authorized online reseller of Steelcase products, many independent resellers who sell through Amazon.com are not. When purchasing, it is important to note where the product is being “shipped from and sold by,” which is stated clearly in the header for each product on Amazon.com.

Who are some known sellers of “Gray Market” Steelcase products?

The following are identified as selling gray market Steelcase products:

Online Stores

DesignerSeating.com
EclusiveMod.com
InstyleModern.com
MadisonSeating.com
OfficeSight.com
ShopSeating.com

Additional Known “Gray Market” Sellers

Amazon or eBay sellers
Online stores listed above
Conpac Supplies
Everything Overstock
Wesaveyou$
Zyderstore
TheBuyDepot

 

Updated October, 2013