# Which Bookstores and Toy Companies Donate to Fundraisers?

> Books-A-Million donates a $20 gift card, Barnes & Noble runs Bookfairs instead of donations, and Crayola, Vermont Teddy Bear and Oriental Trading take requests. Build-A-Bear, American Girl and Toys R Us show no active program.

Source: https://ultimatedonations.org/bookstores-toy-companies-that-donate  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Publisher: Ultimate Donations

Among bookstores in our directory, [Books-A-Million](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/books-a-million-donation) donates a $20 gift card to fundraisers, and [Barnes & Noble](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/barnes-and-noble-national-donation) supports schools and nonprofits through Bookfairs that earn a share of sales rather than through donated items. Among toy and craft companies, [Oriental Trading Company](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/oriental-trading-company-donation) takes requests nationally, while [Crayola](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/crayola-product-donation) and [Vermont Teddy Bear](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/vermont-teddy-bear-donation) donate only near their home communities. Several famous toy names, including [Build-A-Bear Workshop](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/build-a-bear-workshop-donation), [American Girl](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/american-girl-product-donation) and [Toys R Us](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/toys-r-us-donation), show no active donation program right now.

## Bookstores

### Books-A-Million: a $20 gift card by email

Books-A-Million's policy form says it donates a $20 Books-A-Million gift card to fundraisers by local schools, churches, organizations and charities. A few details decide whether a request succeeds:

- **Email only.** Send the Donation Request Form by email; only email requests are considered, one per organization a year.
- **Corporate decides.** Requests are filled by its corporate offices, not your local store, and the card is mailed to the address on your form.
- **Priority** goes to 501(c)(3) charities and nonprofit educational institutions whose main mission is reading, literacy and education, and to communities with a Books-A-Million, Books & Company or Bookland store.
- **Exclusions** include requests to benefit specific individuals or families, online auctions, resale and school coupon books.
- **Timing.** Its sources differ: the help-center article says at least six weeks before your event, the policy form says three. Plan on six. The policy form also says processing can take up to four weeks in busy seasons, typically September through December.

### Barnes & Noble: Bookfairs, not donated items

Barnes & Noble says it does not have a grant program. What it offers Pre-K through 12th grade public and private schools, and nonprofit literacy, arts, humane and community service groups, is a Bookfair: your group earns a percentage of net proceeds from Bookfair sales, in store and online. Booksellers handle setup, cashiering and accounting, and supporters shopping online add your Bookfair ID at checkout. Contact your local store manager to set one up. A Bookfair works best as its own event, or alongside a school night, rather than as a raffle prize.

## Toy, craft and party-supply companies

| Company | What it gives | Who qualifies | Notice |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oriental Trading Company](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/oriental-trading-company-donation) | Donations for fundraising events | 501(c)(3)s and public schools, colleges and universities | 4 weeks; events inside that window are not considered |
| [Crayola](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/crayola-product-donation) | Crayola products | Nonprofits in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, and Phillipsburg/Warren County, New Jersey | 4 to 6 weeks |
| [Crayola Experience](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/crayola-experience-donation) | Admission passes | 501(c)(3)s, through its Easton, Pennsylvania and Orlando, Florida sites | 30 days |
| [Vermont Teddy Bear](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/vermont-teddy-bear-donation) | Specific products, not cash or gift cards | 501(c)(3)s based in Vermont or where its employees live | 1 month before ship or pick-up date |

A few details from those pages are worth knowing before you apply:

- **Oriental Trading** puts particular weight on programs for children and youth, with an emphasis on education. Its request form is built around fundraising events, listing auctions, raffles, door prizes and peer-to-peer events. Attach your 501(c)(3) determination letter; a public school without 501(c)(3) status can leave the EIN field blank.
- **Crayola** points schools and nonprofits outside its local area to Good360, Kids in Need Foundation and NAEIR instead.
- **Vermont Teddy Bear** reviews requests at the end of each month and takes one request per nonprofit per year. Nonprofits outside its guidelines may still apply for a 25% discount on products.

## Toy names with no open request route

Knowing who is not taking requests saves a week of waiting. Our pages for [Build-A-Bear Workshop](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/build-a-bear-workshop-donation), [American Girl](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/american-girl-product-donation) and [Toys R Us](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/toys-r-us-donation) show no active donation program in our directory. [Nintendo](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/nintendo-product-donation) does not publish donation guidelines or an application; its About page lists only a charitable donations email contact, and its community programs are employee giving and national partnerships rather than a way to request prizes.

## How to use these items

Books, toys and craft supplies are at their best in themed raffle baskets and school events. A family game night basket, an art basket or a reading basket built around a Books-A-Million card gives a small donation more pull at the prize table. Our guide to [raffle basket ideas](https://ultimatedonations.org/raffle-basket-ideas) shows how to build themes, and [companies that donate to schools](https://ultimatedonations.org/companies-that-donate-to-schools) lists more donors that suit PTA and classroom events. For a carnival or festival prize booth, see [what companies donate for a school carnival](https://ultimatedonations.org/festival-carnival-prize-donations).

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Barnes & Noble donate books to fundraisers?

Barnes & Noble says it has no grant program; it supports schools and nonprofit groups through Bookfairs that earn a percentage of net proceeds. See our [Barnes & Noble page](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/barnes-and-noble-national-donation).

### What does Books-A-Million donate?

A $20 Books-A-Million gift card, requested by email, one per organization a year; see our [Books-A-Million page](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/books-a-million-donation).

### Does Build-A-Bear donate to fundraisers?

Our [Build-A-Bear Workshop page](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/build-a-bear-workshop-donation) shows no active donation program right now, so ask a company with an open program instead.

### Which toy companies donate nationally?

In our directory, [Oriental Trading Company](https://ultimatedonations.org/donor/oriental-trading-company-donation) takes requests from 501(c)(3)s and public schools nationwide with four weeks' notice; Crayola and Vermont Teddy Bear donate only near their home communities.