Does Indianapolis Colts donate to fundraisers?

The Colts say they support more than 1,500 requests each year, and all requests must go through their online system.

Fundraising assistance is limited to nonprofit organizations located within the state of Indiana.

The Colts only donate directly to organizations with 501(c)(3) status, with no third-party requests.

Fundraisers to benefit an individual or family are generally not honored. Personal requests go through the separate Fan Pack request form.

Organizations are granted one item or contribution per year.

Depending on the nature and reach of the event, in-kind donations of team memorabilia range from photos, pennants and team apparel to footballs and other merchandise.

Tips from the program page: In-kind requests are processed 3 to 6 weeks before the event date, so submit before that window opens. · You will receive an electronic confirmation that your request was received; submitting does not guarantee a donation. · Only one item per organization per year is granted, so choose the event where a Colts item will raise the most.

What Indianapolis Colts donates

Indianapolis Colts donates item.

Indianapolis Colts has typically donated: Team memorabilia: photos, pennants, team apparel, footballs and other merchandise.

Who can apply

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

Indianapolis Colts limits donation requests by area: Indiana.

How to apply

Indianapolis Colts asks every request to include the following.

• Use the online In-Kind Donation Request Form and fill it out completely; incomplete forms are not considered.
• 501(c)(3) status, with the request coming directly from the organization.
• An organization located in Indiana.

What Indianapolis Colts will not fund

Indianapolis Colts states in its own published guidelines that it will not fund the following.

• Third-party requests
• Organizations outside Indiana
• Fundraisers to benefit an individual or family are generally not honored
• More than one item or contribution per organization per year

This covers only what Indianapolis Colts states. A request can still be turned down for reasons a company does not publish.

When to ask

Indianapolis Colts states a lead time of 3-6 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 Indianapolis Colts?

Yes. Indianapolis Colts' 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.

Can a school, team, or individual apply to Indianapolis Colts?

Indianapolis Colts states that it will not fund: Third-party requests; Organizations outside Indiana; Fundraisers to benefit an individual or family are generally not honored; More than one item or contribution per organization per year. Check your organization and your event against that list before you apply — those are the restrictions Indianapolis Colts publishes itself.

How far ahead should we ask Indianapolis Colts for a donation?

Indianapolis Colts' stated lead time is 3-6 weeks. Work backwards from your event date: count back that far from the day of the event and send your request before that point.