Do Companies Donate to Churches and Church Fundraisers?

Some companies donate to churches and many do not, and the rule usually turns on one question: is the request for religious activity, or for something that serves the wider community? Books-A-Million names churches among the groups it supports. Kroger excludes sectarian or religious organizations for projects that serve only their own members or supporters, and Wegmans lists requests from faith-based agencies for religious purposes among those it is unable to accommodate but says it can consider humanitarian aid such as food for people in need. Panera's bread program accepts religious organizations. Panda Express, J.M. Smucker, Pentel and Topgolf exclude religious groups or causes, and Canon lists religious organizations' activities among requests that may not be considered.

So a church asking for a raffle prize has real options, but not everywhere. Read the rule before you ask, and ask the companies whose rules fit what your event actually does.

Each company's rule, in its own words

Every rule below is quoted or closely paraphrased from the company's own giving page. Programs change, so check the page again before you send a request.

Three kinds of rule

1. Churches named as eligible

Books-A-Million says it is committed to helping "local schools, churches, organizations and charities" through a $20 gift card for fundraising events. Its priority is groups whose mission promotes reading, literacy and education, in communities with one of its stores. Requests go to its corporate office on its own donation request form, by email, at least three weeks before the event, and it honors one request per organization a year. It will not donate for online auctions, so this card belongs at an in-person raffle or auction.

Panera Bread's Day-End Dough-Nation program lists religious organizations alongside 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools. Read the rest of the requirements, though: you must hand the donated bread, bagels and baked goods to people in need, people who are ill, or underserved children and youth, and pick them up weekly on a continuous basis. It suits a church food ministry. It is not a way to stock a bake-sale table.

2. Religious purpose excluded, community service not

Kroger declines "sectarian or religious organizations for projects that serve only its own members or supporters". A project that serves the wider community is a different request. Wegmans lists "Requests from faith-based agencies for religious purposes" among the requests it is unable to accommodate, in the same sentence where it says it can consider humanitarian aid, such as food for people in need.

In practice, a parish festival that raises money for a food pantry, a free community supper, or a coat drive is a different request from one that funds worship, a building campaign, or a members-only retreat. Describe what the money or product will actually do. Don't dress a religious program up as a secular one to get past a rule; if the honest description falls on the wrong side of a company's line, ask a different company.

3. Religious groups or causes excluded

Panda Express limits its food donations to groups that are non-political and non-religious. J.M. Smucker lists religious and faith-based organizations and programming as ineligible. Pentel will not support political or religious causes. Topgolf does not donate to religious groups. Canon U.S.A. lists the activities of religious or fraternal organizations among requests that may not be considered. For a church event, these companies are a poor fit, so spend your time elsewhere.

Discounts and shopper programs are not donations

Some programs that name churches don't give you anything for free. They are still worth knowing about.

• Hobby Lobby says it would like to donate to every organization in its communities, but that this is not possible because of the thousands of requests it receives each year. Instead it gives churches, schools and national charitable organizations a 10 percent in-store discount on purchases made with an organizational payment. Ask your local store manager about it.
• Menards offers Scrip "for religious and other nonprofit organizations": your group buys Menards gift cards at a 4% discount and sells them at face value.
• Kroger Community Rewards lets shoppers link their card to a local organization, and Kroger names churches among the groups that can enroll.

Each of these can help a church budget. None of them puts a free prize on your raffle table.

Before a church asks

• Check the paperwork the company wants. Many programs ask for 501(c)(3) status or a tax ID. If your church has no determination letter to send, our guide to product donations without a 501(c)(3) covers the usual options. It is informational, not legal or tax advice.
• Name the purpose in the first line. "Our fall festival raises money for our parish food pantry" tells the reader at once which of the three rules applies.
• Use the eligibility list before you write. The donation eligibility checklist walks through status, area and purpose so you ask only where you fit.

For the general steps, see how to ask a company for a donation, and browse food donors in the food category, where several grocers' community rules apply.