Does Costco (Warehouse) donate to fundraisers?

Costco's giving focuses on programs supporting children, education, and health and human services in the communities where it does business.

Costco accepts monetary requests only; for warehouse requests, it may issue Costco Shop Cards instead of money or goods.

There are two routes: Warehouse Donations for local organizations and local causes, and Grant Applications for larger, broad-based organizations and causes.

Requests are reviewed year-round on a rolling basis, and an organization may submit one application per fiscal year, which runs September to August.

Any qualifying 501(c)(3) may apply regardless of distance from a Costco, though giving focuses on the markets where Costco does business.

For grants, do not ask for more than 10% of your program's overall budget.

Costco's grant application lists what it does not fund, including individual primary and secondary schools, PTOs and PTAs; athletic teams, events and booster clubs; merchandise for fundraisers and auctions; and parties, celebrations, parades, festivals and raffles.

Tips from the program page: Warehouse donations are handled by each warehouse, so ask your local warehouse about its donation contacts and review process. · Grant applications are reviewed within 4–6 weeks, and you will hear by postcard, letter, phone call or email. · Costco does not guarantee a response to every warehouse donation request. · Check with Costco before making any public statement recognizing its contribution.

What Costco (Warehouse) donates

Costco (Warehouse) has typically donated: Monetary donations only.

Who can apply

Costco (Warehouse) donates to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Costco (Warehouse) does not donate to individuals.

Costco (Warehouse) limits donation requests by area: Local organizations and causes (warehouse donations); larger broad-based causes apply for grants.

How to apply

Costco (Warehouse) asks every request to include the following.

• Your organization must be an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on children, education, and/or health and human services.
• For a warehouse donation, complete the Warehouse Donation Request Form electronically, print it, and bring it to your nearest Costco warehouse; it cannot be submitted online.
• The warehouse form must be signed by an authorized agent of the nonprofit, confirming it qualifies for tax-deductible contributions and complies with the USA Patriot Act.
• Submit warehouse requests at least 4–6 weeks before your event; for planned events with fixed dates, Costco asks for at least 3 months of lead time.
• Grant applications are submitted online and need a cover letter, a W-9, organization budget information for the current and past year, program budget information, and an impact report if Costco has funded you before.
• Every requested item is required; incomplete applications are not considered or returned.

When to ask

Costco (Warehouse) states a lead time of 4-6 weeks. Count back that far from your event date and send the request no later than then.

Across more than 25,000 fundraising events in our own records over fifteen years, March, April and May are the busiest months for fundraisers, October is the next busiest, and July and December are the quietest.

Work backwards from your event rather than forwards from today, and if your event falls in the spring peak, ask earlier than the stated lead time rather than later.

Common questions

Do I need to be a 501(c)(3) to request a donation from Costco (Warehouse)?

Yes. Costco (Warehouse)'s donation program is limited to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, so you will need your determination letter and Tax ID before you apply.

How far ahead should we ask Costco (Warehouse) for a donation?

Costco (Warehouse)'s stated lead time is 4-6 weeks. Work backwards from your event date: count back that far from the day of the event and send your request before that point.