In-kind donations are goods and services companies gift to nonprofit organizations in support of their cause. For example, a business may donate school supplies to a group focused on education, or a tech company could provide web development services at no cost. Here are five companies that give in-kind donations to bolster the work of nonprofit groups of all sizes.
Companies That Give In-Kind Donations
- Terakeet
- Alliant Credit Union
- American Airlines
- CVS Health
- Panera Bread
- Build-A-Bear Workshop
- Tillamook County Creamery Association
Companies That Give In-Kind Donations
Terakeet does a specialty form of marketing called owned asset optimization. Working with large client companies, Terakeet identifies existing brand content and media assets, including blog posts, whitepapers, client contact lists and social media followings, to create additional uses for them, strategizing to increase ROI, value and use. The company’s own charity, Cause for the ‘Cuse, provides essentials including school supplies, coats, hats and personal hygiene supplies to local students in the Syracuse City School District.
Alliant Credit Union is a cooperative financial services entity that provides banking services like checking and savings accounts, investment products, lines of credit and loans. As a credit union, all its members own a share of the organization, and profits aren’t pulled from its operations. The company has a rigorous social responsibility program and recently donated nearly 9,000 pounds of computer equipment to the digital-access nonprofit PCs for People.
American Airlines flies customers around the world, offering flights to more than five dozen countries. The company donates to nonprofits that work to support children, communities and military service members in specified counties around its U.S. hubs. In addition to monetary donations and volunteer service, American Airlines provides in-kind donations in the form of airline mileage certificates.
Pharmaceutical giant CVS Health participates in community giving through the CVS Health Foundation, which makes financial contributions and in-kind donations in addition to engaging in other philanthropic initiatives. This includes giving blood pressure monitoring machines to aid healthcare systems in combating maternal mortality, according to its website.
Panera Bread sells soup, salads, sandwiches and other fast casual dining staples. The restaurant chain partners with food pantries, soup kitchens, youth shelters, after-school programs and other charities across the United States through its Day-End Dough-Nation program. The initiative ensures Panera’s leftover breads and other baked goods get donated to people in need rather than thrown out at the end of the day.
Build-A-Bear Workshop allows customers to build and customize stuffed animals ranging from teddy bears to characters from popular television and movie franchises. Through the Build-A-Bear Foundation, the company provides philanthropic assistance to organizations like Make-A-Wish and the American Red Cross. Its Hearts ‘n’ Hugs Fund donates some of Build-A-Bear’s furry friends to nonprofit groups that distribute them to children who are facing hardships. The company has also donated books as part of its Literacy Program.
Tillamook is a farmer-owned cooperative that sells cheese, yogurt, butter and other dairy products. One of Tillamook’s six stewardship commitments is “Enriched Communities,” which has led the company to provide money, products and volunteer hours to support community organizations. The company’s product donations in 2022 totaled almost 230,000 pounds, which is equal to roughly 193,000 meals, according to Tillamook’s website. Those contributions went to nonprofits such as the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Oregon Food Bank.
