Does Pentel donate to fundraisers?

Education: Pentel supports non-profit institutions and events that support education, believing learners should have the proper writing instruments.

Health and human services: charitable causes that benefit human welfare nationwide, such as The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, City of Hope and the Red Cross.

Arts: through its Pentel Arts division, Pentel supports the art industry.

Your organization must be closely related to one of those contribution priorities, and use of the product must be direct.

Pentel will not support: organizations without 501(c) status; "Political or religious causes"; individual participation in events or fundraisers, such as walk-a-thons, scout projects and fundraising sporting events.

The application asks whether your organization is a public agency, a unit of government or a religious institution, and notes that "Yes" does not necessarily preclude a donation.

Pentel reserves the right to deny any request, and all donations are at its discretion.

Tips from the program page: After approval, allow 6 to 8 weeks for the products to arrive, so apply well before your event. · Name the Pentel priority your work fits and how the products will be used directly; both are conditions of Pentel's guidelines.

What Pentel donates

Pentel donates item.

Pentel has typically donated: Pentel Products.

Who can apply

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

Pentel limits donation requests by area: National.

How to apply

Pentel asks every request to include the following.

• Your organization must have 501(c) status or be an American tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation or association.
• Complete Pentel's online application: legal name, shipping address, tax status and Tax ID, your mission, the type and amount of product requested, and a contact person. Pentel says 501(c)(3) documentation will be requested.
• Acknowledgement of any donation is required. For a donation over $75 in value, Pentel requires an acknowledgement on your letterhead stating the amount of product received.

When to ask

Pentel states a lead time of 6-8 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 Pentel?

Yes. Pentel'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 Pentel for a donation?

Pentel's stated lead time is 6-8 weeks. Work backwards from your event date: count back that far from the day of the event and send your request before that point.