Bear Creek Nature Center wanted to thank volunteers who helped with animal care, exhibits and programming.

The environmental education organization got to do just that thanks to Counselor Top 40 distributor 4imprint (asi/197045), which provided Bear Creek with an in-kind grant of caps and mugs. The nature center gifted these to the volunteers.

Kevin Lyons-Tarr, 4imprint (asi/197045)

For 4imprint, this was no isolated act of altruism: The promo products firm provided more than 7,200 such in-kind grants to similarly worthy organizations in 2024. The value of the items donated? About $3.6 million.

“These organizations do incredible work to help their communities and to support causes that are important to so many of us,” said Kevin Lyons-Tarr, CEO of 4imprint and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the promotional products industry’s most influential people. “We were humbled by their stories and honored to help assist in their missions.”

4imprint made the donations through its one-by-one charitable giving program.

Since 2006, the do-gooding initiative has supported nonprofits with IRS-approved 501(c)(3) status or Canadian-registered charities, religious organizations and accredited schools. 4imprint has awarded grants to roughly 25,000 nonprofits.

In 2024, the charitable organizations used the in-kind grants to raise funds, build brand awareness, thank volunteers and donors, and accomplish other goals. In the fourth quarter alone, 4imprint said it provided in-kind grants to 2,152 recipients.

“The grants in 2024 were awarded to organizations focusing on a wide range of causes,” 4imprint shared in a statement. “Those initiatives range from social impact groups that support families, children and veterans to organizations working on improving health and wellness, like supporting individuals and families impacted by cancer or providing youth mental health resources.”

On average, the one-by-one program provides around 27 grants every business day. In addition to Bear Creek Nature Center, 2024 recipients included Crisis Support Services of Nevada, which provides 24/7 mental health services statewide. The organization distributed pens, lip balm and stress balls at events, healthcare facilities and elsewhere as part of awareness-raising community outreach, according to 4imprint.

Mid-Michigan Autism Association was another grant recipient. The organization, which is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals living with developmental disabilities and their families, handed out fidget spinners at a community holiday celebration to raise awareness.

“In addition to the $500 4imprint one-by-one promotional products grants awarded in 2024, more than 1,300 businesses, associates, troops and customers in the United States, Canada and other countries were given inventory donations,” 4imprint shared. “In total, more than 800,000 items were provided.”

Based on reported 2023 North American promotional product revenue of about $1.302 billion, 4imprint ranked first on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry. 4imprint reported recently that preliminary unaudited results show that it increased total global sales – North America and beyond – by about 3% year over year to $1.37 billion. The North America-specific number is due out in March when fully audited financial results are released.