Does L.L.Bean donate to fundraisers?

L.L.Bean's Charitable Giving Program gives only to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

You can ask for a cash donation, a product donation, or both.

The program does not fund individual schools (public or private), classrooms, teams, teachers or parent organizations.

It also does not fund treks, sporting events or athletic teams, individual youth clubs and scout troops, or advertising in programs, bulletins, yearbooks or brochures.

Organizations or projects focused outside the US are not funded.

The application asks whether your organization promotes access to the outdoors and which outdoor activities it supports, such as camping, fishing, hiking or paddling.

L.L.Bean does not offer a nonprofit organization discount.

Tips from the program page: The online form expires after more than 4 hours of inactivity, and entered data cannot be saved beyond that. · After choosing the request type, use the Printable Form option to review the whole form before you submit; you cannot make changes after submitting. · Accredited schools and troops affiliated with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America may be eligible for a discount on outdoor equipment; restrictions apply.

What L.L.Bean donates

L.L.Bean donates item.

L.L.Bean has typically donated: grants, L.L.Bean product.

Who can apply

L.L.Bean donates to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. L.L.Bean does not donate to individuals. L.L.Bean does not support events run for profit.

L.L.Bean limits donation requests by area: Regional.

How to apply

L.L.Bean asks every request to include the following.

• Apply online through the L.L.Bean Sponsorship & Charitable Donation Application Form and choose 'Charitable Donation' as the type of request.
• Have your IRS 501(c)(3) number ready; the form asks for it along with your organization's name and address.
• Product donation requests must be made at least eight weeks before the program or fundraiser; events less than 8 weeks away are not considered.
• Be ready to give the event name and dates, how many years it has run, how many people attend, who will benefit, and how you will measure the impact.
• You can attach up to 5 supporting documents, 10MB in total.

When to ask

L.L.Bean states a lead time of 4 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 L.L.Bean?

Yes. L.L.Bean'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 L.L.Bean for a donation?

L.L.Bean's stated lead time is 4 weeks. Work backwards from your event date: count back that far from the day of the event and send your request before that point.