Enabling non-profits to transform the value of donations through digital platforms: the case of eBay’s ‘Charity Connect’ initiative

Many non-profit organizations are embracing digital platforms as part of a wider shift towards ‘digitization’. One pertinent example is the move towards selling donated products online. E-commerce platforms open-up new global markets and have provided a way for charities to achieve better value from donated items. However, processing donated items online is effortful, and the sectors’ existing infrastructure are not well suited to the logistical requirements. This teaching case focuses on three charities who have embraced eBay’s ecommerce platform. They have different strategic, organizational and resources approaches to achieving more value from donations. The case accounts for both technical and non-technical IS classes by challenging students to discuss how the charities utilize eBay, before prompting students to consider sectoral challenges and potential solutions. It also asks students to analyze platform design features, before proposing platform adaptations which may better support charities as a specific user group.