Does Trader Joe's donate to fundraisers?

Trader Joe's handles product donation requests, and requests to be involved in community events, at its stores rather than through a central application.

Each store has a designated Donation Coordinator who oversees that store's contributions to the community.

Trader Joe's can only donate to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with a valid, current tax ID number.

Food and beverage donations are limited to one per year per organization from the whole company, not one from every Trader Joe's store in your area.

Trader Joe's says it receives so many requests that it cannot accommodate every organization.

Separately, through its Neighborhood Shares program each store donates unsold food that is safe to eat to local food banks and other nonprofit food recovery partners; that is a standing partnership, not a way to request an item for an event.

Tips from the program page: Because the one-per-year limit is company-wide, asking several Trader Joe's stores for the same organization does not get you more than one food and beverage donation a year.

What Trader Joe's donates

Trader Joe's has typically donated: In-kind donation.

Who can apply

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

Trader Joe's limits donation requests by area: National.

How to apply

Trader Joe's asks every request to include the following.

• Arrange your food or beverage donation request with the Donation Coordinator at your neighborhood Trader Joe's.
• Put the request in writing on your nonprofit's letterhead and include your valid tax ID number.
• In the letter, explain what your organization does, why the donation is needed and what kind of donation you are asking for.
• A representative of your organization should deliver the request to the store at least three weeks before the date you need the donation.

When to ask

Trader Joe's states a lead time of 3 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 Trader Joe's?

Yes. Trader Joe'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 Trader Joe's for a donation?

Trader Joe's stated lead time is 3 weeks. Work backwards from your event date: count back that far from the day of the event and send your request before that point.