Does Costco (Warehouse) donate to fundraisers?

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

Monetary requests only. For warehouse donations, Costco Shop Cards may be issued in lieu of monetary or in-kind requests.

There are two routes: warehouse donations for local organizations and local causes, and grant applications for larger, broad-based organizations and causes.

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

Costco does not fund individuals, capital campaigns, building projects or equipment, transportation and travel expenses, political organizations, religious organizations for religious purposes, salaries or staff training, government agencies, loans or investments, or research studies.

Costco also does not fund athletic teams, events, booster clubs or sponsorships; animal-related programs including shelters; merchandise for fundraisers and auctions; symposiums, conferences or conventions; individual primary and secondary schools, PTOs and PTAs; merchandise promotions, partnerships or advertising; or general awareness campaigns and advocacy.

Distance is not a bar to applying: all qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations may apply regardless of how far they are from a Costco location, though giving focuses on the markets where Costco does business.

Tips from the program page: Submit a warehouse request at least 4-6 weeks ahead of your event. · For a planned fundraising event or program with a fixed date, Costco asks for at least 3 months of lead time to give the request timely consideration. · Pick the route by size before you apply: warehouse donations are for local organizations and local causes, grants are for larger, broad-based ones. · You only get one application per fiscal year, September to August, so it is worth choosing the right route the first time. · Costco states it cannot guarantee a response to every donation request, given the volume it receives.

What Costco (Warehouse) donates

Costco (Warehouse) donates item.

Costco (Warehouse) has typically donated: in-kind.

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: National.

How to apply

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

• Must be an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• The program must focus on children, education, and/or health and human services.
• The warehouse donation request form is completed electronically and printed, then brought to your nearest Costco warehouse. It cannot be submitted online.
• Grant applications are submitted through Costco's online application and require a cover letter, a W-9, organization budget information for the current and past year, and program budget information.
• An organization that has received Costco support before must also supply a measurable results and impact report for its most recent year of that support.
• Applications must be complete. Incomplete applications are not considered and are not returned.
• The warehouse form must be signed by an authorized agent of the nonprofit, verifying that the organization qualifies for tax-deductible contributions and is in full compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

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.