FAQs

Questions?

  1.  Why does Coats for Kids Foundation by Operation Warm provide only NEW coats for children in elementary school? 

  2.  How long has Coats for Kids by Operation Warm been in existence?

  3.  How does my donation help?

  4.  Is my donation tax deductible?

  5.  How does Coats for Kids by Operation Warm identify children to receive the new coats? 

  6.  How can I help your organization other than a cash donation?

  7.  You are in 37 states.  How do you select the states in which you work and how do I know if you’re in my state? 

  8.  Can I buy coats from Operation Warm to distribute to children in my community?

  9.  Will my donation really make a difference?

Answers...

1.  Why does Coats for Kids Foundation by Operation Warm provide only NEW coats for children in elementary school? 

Coats for Kids by Operation Warm believes that a brand new coat inspires enhanced well-being and serves to boost self-esteem in children.  Who doesn’t enjoy receiving something new?  For many of the children we serve, a new coat from our organization may be the one and only new item a child has ever received.  Since 1998 we have watched children receive their gift of warmth with pride, excitement, and joy.  The children we serve are not second-class citizens, and so our mission to provide underserved children with a new coat has many benefits.  

2. How long has Coats for Kids by Operation Warm been in existence?

Operation Warm began in 1998 and became incorporated as a 501(c)3 in 2002.  As Operation Warm’s mission expanded, we learned about the Coats for Kids Foundation, a local non-profit in Alexandria, VA when they began sourcing coats from Operation Warm for their work in the National Capital area.  In 2010, the Coats for Kids Foundation became a part of Operation Warm’s national program and now the work of Coats for Kids by Operation Warm is present in 37 states. 

3.  How does my donation help?

Operation Warm is very proud to inform donors that 97 cents on every dollar goes to the national coat program.  3 cents of every dollar raised goes to the overhead expenses associated with running this important non-profit.  Every dollar helps and one new coat changes the life of one child.  

4.  Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes, all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Our Federal Tax ID number is 38-3663310.

Click here to view our IRS Determination Letter
Click here to view our 2010 990 Form

5. How does Coats for Kids by Operation Warm identify children to receive the new coats? 

Operation Warm is not a “direct service” company.  What this means is that we do not provide new coats directly to recipients.  Due to the size and scale of our operation we work with community partners, (organizations within communities) that serve at-risk children.  With assistance from schools, shelters, human service agencies and other direct-service organizations, the children most in need are identified.  More often than not, these organizations help determine eligibility for a new coat based on the families they serve who are enrolled in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program – a program established by the Federal government to help low-income families provide 1 or 2 nutritious meals a day at school.

6.  How can I help your organization other than a cash donation?

Coats for Kids by Operation Warm welcomes help from volunteers.  First and foremost we encourage enthusiastic supporters to consider hosting a fund-raiser, (car wash, bake sale, talent show, etc.)  Depending upon where you live, there may also be opportunities to volunteer at coat distribution events.  Please check VolunteerMatch.com to look for opportunities to volunteer for our organization and/or check out our Resources Page on our web site.

We also love to have interns work for us!  We find interns to be smart, energetic, creative, and dedicated.  If you’d like to learn more about an internship with our organization, please e-mail us at info@OperationWarm.org.  We have lots of fun and exciting projects to offer as an internship.

7.  You are in 37 states.  How do you select the states in which you work and how do I know if you’re in my state? 

It is our goal to provide a new winter coat to every child in this country who needs one… one coat at a time.  In order to do this, we rely upon other organizations and individuals sharing our vision and mission.  Typically we enter states and provide new coats when there has been an expressed need, and where we are able to raise enough funding to distribute coats to an organization that expresses a need.  Please keep in mind that coats cost us money and so to provide coats in a new community, we need to raise funds to cover the cost of the coats.  We are grateful for funding leads to organizations, foundations, corporations and individuals who will support our work within your community.  That’s all it takes to see our work come alive to the children in your neighborhood.  Please help us get there.  Every child is important to us!  Click to see our U.S. map that highlights the states where we currently distribute coats.

8.  Can I buy coats from Operation Warm to distribute to children in my community?

If you are part of a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and have raised money with your organization to distribute coats to children in need, you may source coats from Operation Warm at cost through our Marketplace program.  Marketplace was set up to help spread our mission through like-minded non-profit organizations who want to help children in need.  Click here for more information on our Marketplace program.

9.  Will my donation really make a difference?

Absolutely!  Your donation, regardless of size, enables us to ensure our work continues and that children are given hope where there may have only been despair.  Thank you for considering a gift to Coats for Kids by Operation Warm.  Donate by clicking here, or to make a recurring monthly gift, click here.  Without generous people like you, our work isn’t possible.