Companies that donate to schools: How to get support

Corporate giving programs exist specifically to close that gap, yet most schools access only a fraction of the support available because they do not know which companies to approach or how to ask.

The 15 companies below have active, documented programs for school donations. The table includes specific program names, maximum amounts or match ratios, and direct application paths. Below the table, each company is covered in more detail with notes on what schools qualify, what the process looks like, and what tends to produce the best results.

What does it mean for a company to donate to schools? Corporate school donations take three forms. Cash grants are direct funding awarded through a formal application process, typically for specific programs, materials, or capital needs. In-kind donations are non-cash contributions such as supplies, equipment, technology, or food. Matching gift programs amplify donations made by the company's employees: when a teacher, parent, or staff member donates to a school, their employer contributes an equal or greater amount. Some companies offer all three. Others specialize in one. Matching gift programs are the most consistently underutilized because many families do not know their employer participates.

15 companies that donate to schools: programs and amounts

All figures are based on publicly available corporate giving program information as of early 2026. Specific amounts and program terms change annually. Always confirm current terms on the company's official giving or community page before submitting a request.

Company giving programs: what to know before you apply

Microsoft

Microsoft's Give Match program is one of the most generous corporate matching programs available to schools. In 2025, Microsoft employees contributed over $255 million including company match, and over 1.2 million volunteer hours to tens of thousands of global schools and nonprofits. Eligible K-12 schools with tax-exempt status can receive dollar-for-dollar matching on employee donations up to $15,000 per employee per year. Schools should make sure parent and staff volunteers know about this: a single teacher or parent at a Microsoft-employing household can trigger a significant company match with a modest personal donation.

Walmart

Walmart's community grant program funds education-focused organizations including K-12 schools, PTAs, and education nonprofits. Grants typically support classroom materials, after-school programs, and school events. Applications are submitted through Walmart.org and are reviewed on a competitive cycle. Local Walmart store managers can sometimes expedite or advocate for applications from schools in their immediate community. Schools with a demonstrated community need and a specific, named use for the funds tend to be more competitive than general operating cost requests.

Target

Target supports schools in two ways. The GiftCard donation program allows eligible schools with a valid NCES number or 501(c)(3) status to receive up to $500 per year in GiftCard donations by submitting a printed request form with a government affirmation letter to their local Target store. The Target Circle community giving program lets Target Circle members direct a percentage of their purchases toward local nonprofits and schools. Schools enrolled in Target Circle community giving receive funding each quarter based on customer voting.

Verizon

The Verizon Foundation matches employee donations to K-12 schools dollar for dollar up to $1,000 per employee, and up to $5,000 for higher education institutions. Separately, Verizon's education grants fund projects that promote digital skills development for students and teachers in grades K-12. Schools serving underserved communities with a technology access angle are well positioned for the education grant program. As with Microsoft, the matching program is often more accessible than the competitive grant and is worth making sure every Verizon-employed family member knows about.

State Farm

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants program funds K-12 academic performance and STEM initiatives alongside higher education programs. The company also operates the State Farm Companies Foundation Matching Gift program, which matches employee donations to eligible educational institutions. Schools should check State Farm's website for current application cycles, as grant availability varies by region and funding round.

Google for Education

Google for Nonprofits provides eligible schools and education nonprofits with free access to Google Workspace for Nonprofits and $10,000 per month in Google Ads credits. Beyond the nonprofit program, Google's education grants and teacher training programs support STEM education, computer science instruction, and digital literacy. Schools that already use Google Workspace for education have the clearest path to additional grant support. See the teacher grant opportunities at WeAreTeachers for an overview of education technology grants from Google and other companies.

Office Depot and OfficeMax

Office Depot's 5Back program gives schools 5% back on qualifying purchases made by families who designate their school at checkout, generating supply fund credits over time. The company also accepts direct donation requests from K-12 schools for supplies and equipment. Requests can be submitted online or by visiting a local store with a formal letter on school letterhead. Schools should apply well before major supply needs arise, as fulfillment timelines vary.

Staples

The Staples for Students program is specifically designed to help K-12 schools with supply needs. Donation requests can be submitted via the Staples website or at local stores. Schools should include a specific list of needed supplies in their request rather than a general appeal, as detailed requests are more likely to be fulfilled than open-ended ones. Staples also accepts in-kind donation requests for major fundraising events.

Kroger Community Rewards

Kroger's program is passive income for enrolled schools: once a school registers and families link their Kroger loyalty cards, a percentage of every eligible purchase automatically directs funds to the school at no extra cost to shoppers. The Kroger Company donated $26.3 million to schools and education services in one recent year through Community Rewards. Schools need to actively promote enrollment to families at the start of each school year, as cards must be re-linked annually and participation determines the total generated.

Whole Foods / Whole Kids Foundation

The Whole Kids Foundation operates two grant programs specifically for schools. The Garden Grant Program provides up to $2,000 to help schools and nonprofits create or expand edible school gardens. The Salad Bar Grant provides salad bar equipment to schools to increase student access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Both programs have annual application deadlines and favor schools that can demonstrate a commitment to nutrition education alongside the equipment need.

Dick's Sporting Goods

Dick's Sporting Goods and the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation support youth sports programs, school athletic departments, and physical education initiatives through equipment donations, event sponsorships, and grant funding. Schools running athletic programs or physical education upgrades are the strongest candidates. The Foundation also operates the Sports Matter program, which provides funding to underserved school sports programs at risk of being cut.

Crayola

Crayola donates art supplies to education programs and operates the Crayola Champions grant program for schools and education nonprofits with strong arts education components. Schools applying for art supply donations should demonstrate a specific curriculum use for the supplies rather than a general classroom need. Crayola is particularly responsive to schools running after-school arts programs for students with limited access to materials.

Starbucks

The Starbucks Foundation funds youth leadership and education initiatives through grant programs. Starbucks employees who volunteer with eligible schools trigger volunteer grants through the company's volunteer match program. When a Starbucks employee volunteers at a school for a qualifying number of hours, the Starbucks Foundation donates to that organization based on volunteer hours logged. Schools with active parent or community volunteers who happen to be Starbucks employees should make sure those individuals know to log their time through the company's volunteer program.

Amazon

Amazon supports schools through the Amazon Wish List program, which allows schools to create and share a list of needed classroom items that community members can purchase directly. Amazon Community Grants also provide up to $10,000 to education nonprofits serving underserved communities. For schools that do not have nonprofit status, the Wish List approach is the most accessible path, as it requires no formal application and can be promoted through school newsletters, social media, and community channels.

Companies that donate school supplies specifically

In addition to cash grants, several companies have established supply donation programs that do not require nonprofit status or competitive applications. These are among the most accessible starting points for schools that are new to corporate outreach.

• Office Depot and Staples: Both accept written donation requests for classroom supplies from K-12 schools. In-person requests at local stores with a letter on school letterhead are often faster than online submissions.
• Crayola: Art supply donations for classroom and after-school programs. Requests can be submitted through Crayola's educator portal.
• General Mills: Approves donation requests from K-12 schools for arts and cultural programs alongside education initiatives.
• Scholastic: Book donations for classroom libraries through Scholastic's READ campaign and teacher programs.
• PepsiCo: Product donations for school events and community programs alongside their foundation's community grants for food-based education programs.

Matching gift programs: the most underused funding source

Matching gift programs are the most consistently underutilized source of corporate funding for schools. Many families do not know their employer participates, and schools rarely communicate about matching programs effectively. The mechanics are straightforward: an employee donates to a qualifying school or education organization, submits a match request through their employer's program, and the company sends an equal or greater donation to the school.

Some programs match at a 1:1 ratio. Others match 2:1 or more. Some include volunteer time: an employee who logs volunteer hours at a school triggers a cash donation based on hours worked. Microsoft, Verizon, Starbucks, Macy's, and State Farm all have documented programs. The list is much longer across the broader corporate landscape.

The most effective way for schools to activate matching gifts is to include a clear, specific message in every fundraising communication: "Check with your employer. Many companies match donations dollar for dollar. Submit your match request at [school giving page]." Parents and staff who work for matching-gift companies will often take this step if they are reminded, but rarely think to do it unprompted.

How to ask companies for school donations effectively

A well-structured donation request significantly outperforms a generic appeal. Companies with formal giving programs receive hundreds or thousands of requests annually. Standing out requires specificity, alignment, and a clear picture of impact.

Match your request to the company's stated priorities

Every company listed above publishes a community giving page that describes what they fund and what they exclude. Read it before submitting. A STEM-focused technology company is more likely to fund a robotics club than a bake sale. A grocery chain with a nutrition focus is a stronger match for a school garden grant than a general operating cost request. Misaligned requests are typically declined without review.

Be specific about the need and the outcome

"We need classroom supplies" will not move a grant reviewer. "We need 240 composition notebooks, 180 pencil sets, and 60 art supply kits for our 6 second-grade classrooms to complete our literacy program" will. Specific, itemized needs with a named student impact are significantly more competitive than general requests. Include the number of students served, the specific program the supplies support, and a brief statement of what the school cannot provide without this support.

Use the right contact and channel

For national programs with formal application processes, use the company's official application portal. For local business outreach, a visit to the store manager or branch manager with a printed letter on school letterhead is often more effective than an online form. Store managers can advocate internally for local school requests in ways that a national web form cannot.

Follow the deadline and submission requirements exactly

Many corporate giving programs have specific application windows, required documentation (NCES number, 501(c)(3) determination letter, government affirmation letter), and format requirements. Missing a required document is the most common reason for otherwise strong applications to be declined. Read the requirements twice before submitting.

Follow up and report back

After receiving a donation, send a thank-you letter from the school principal and, where possible, from students. Share a brief impact report 3 to 6 months after receiving funds showing what the donation accomplished: number of students reached, programs supported, visible outcomes. Companies that receive impact reports are significantly more likely to fund the same school in future cycles. Relationships built over multiple grant cycles produce the most reliable funding.

Companies that donate food to schools

Food donations are among the most commonly available forms of corporate school support and require less paperwork than grant programs.

• Whole Foods / Whole Kids Foundation: Fresh produce through the Salad Bar Grant, plus direct product donations to school nutrition programs.
• PepsiCo: Product donations for school events and cafeteria programs, alongside community grants for nutrition education initiatives.
• Kroger: Food product donations through local store managers alongside the Community Rewards program. Schools near Kroger locations can contact their local store's community affairs team.
• General Mills: Food product donations to schools with approved donation requests, particularly for K-12 programs.
• Restaurant chains: Many national chains (Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Panera) accept school donation requests for food for events or fundraiser nights where a percentage of sales is directed to the school.

Building long-term relationships with corporate partners

One-time grant applications are less reliable than ongoing corporate relationships. The schools that consistently receive corporate support are typically those that invest in stewardship alongside applications: reporting outcomes to past funders, acknowledging corporate partners publicly, and engaging company employees through volunteer programs.

For schools affiliated with nonprofits or education-focused organizations, building this corporate outreach capacity is exactly the kind of work that Harness helps with. Harness supports nonprofits and education organizations with the donor engagement tools, campaign infrastructure, and strategy support to build the relationships that turn a one-time grant into a lasting funding partnership.

Frequently asked questions

Which companies donate money to schools?

Major companies with active school donation programs include Microsoft (Give Match, up to $15,000 per employee), Walmart (community grants), Target (GiftCard donations up to $500 per school), Verizon (education technology grants and employee matching), State Farm (Good Neighbor Citizenship Grants), Google (Google for Nonprofits, Google Workspace for Education), Kroger (Community Rewards percentage program), Whole Foods (Whole Kids Foundation garden and salad bar grants), and Dick's Sporting Goods (Sports Matter and youth sports grants). Most companies accept applications through their corporate giving or community foundation pages.

How do I get a company to donate to my school?

Start by identifying companies whose stated giving priorities match your school's specific need: a technology company for STEM programs, a grocery chain for food and nutrition, a sporting goods retailer for athletic programs. Visit the company's community giving or foundation page and follow their application instructions exactly. For national programs, use the official portal. For local businesses, an in-person visit with a letter on school letterhead often works well. Be specific about the need, the number of students served, and the outcome the donation will support.

Do companies donate school supplies?

Yes. Office Depot, Staples, Crayola, and Scholastic all have supply donation programs accessible to K-12 schools. In-person requests at Office Depot and Staples stores with a formal letter on school letterhead are often the fastest path. Crayola handles art supply donations through their educator portal. For technology supplies, Microsoft and Google both have programs that provide devices, software, and hardware to qualifying schools.

What is a matching gift program and how can schools use it?

A matching gift program is a corporate benefit where an employer matches charitable donations made by their employees. When a parent, teacher, or staff member donates to a school, their employer sends an equal (or greater) contribution to the school. Most families do not know their employer participates. Schools should include a clear reminder in every fundraising communication asking families to check their employer's matching gift policy. Companies including Microsoft, Verizon, Starbucks, and State Farm have active matching programs.

Do you need nonprofit status to get corporate school donations?

Not always. Many programs require a valid NCES number (assigned to all public schools) rather than a 501(c)(3) determination letter. Target's GiftCard program, for example, accepts schools with a valid NCES number. Some programs require government affirmation letters. Private schools without NCES numbers may need to apply through a partner nonprofit or PTA. Always check specific program requirements before assuming a school does not qualify.

How do I ask a local business to donate to my school?

Visit in person during a quiet business hour with a formal letter on school letterhead. Explain the specific event or program, what you are asking for (a gift card, a product donation, a portion of one night's sales, or a cash contribution), and what the business receives in return (logo on event materials, social media mention, direct exposure to school families). Keep the ask specific and the letter concise. Local businesses respond more to personal relationships than to online forms.

What do companies get in return for donating to schools?

Corporate donations to schools serve multiple business purposes. Brand visibility and community goodwill are the most immediate. Companies with employee matching programs also use giving programs as an employee benefit and talent retention tool. Tax deductions apply to qualified charitable contributions. Companies that give consistently to local schools build lasting relationships with community stakeholders, which has long-term value for businesses that depend on local customer bases.

How much do companies typically donate to schools?

Amounts vary enormously by company, program type, and application quality. Local business donations for events typically run $50 to $500 in product or gift card value. National supply donation programs vary by school need. Corporate cash grants from national programs typically range from $250 to $10,000 for most K-12 school applications. Employee matching programs can generate much larger totals depending on how many employees participate and the company's match ratio. Microsoft's program, for example, matches up to $15,000 per employee per year.