15 Leading Companies that Donate to Nonprofits

Corporate giving is more than just a philanthropic gesture; it’s a strategic move that strengthens communities and builds lasting impact.

Every year, some of the world’s biggest companies donate billions of dollars to nonprofit organizations.

Their funding initiatives fight poverty, promote education, support public health, tourism facilities, sports, and many other causes.

For nonprofit organizers, knowing who these companies are and how to approach them can make a significant difference in their fundraising success.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the top companies that donate to nonprofits, sharing their background, recent donation history, and how nonprofits can approach them.

Why do businesses donate to nonprofits?

Before jumping to the list of companies that donate to nonprofits, let’s understand why these billion-dollar businesses give donations to fundraisers.

Most local businesses that donate to nonprofits do so to improve the lives of their local communities. Many companies believe they must give back to the community by participating in local fundraising events.

However, the motivations behind corporate giving are often multifaceted. Businesses give back because they want to make a difference, and on the other hand, they want to grab the attention of their customers.

Donating improves their visibility and reputation in the eyes of their customers, employees, and the community.

Supporting nonprofits helps build stronger communities, increases brand loyalty, increases sales, and contributes to employee satisfaction. It’s also part of many companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments.

People also love to do business with companies that give donations to nonprofit organizations. It’s a win-win situation for corporations that donate to nonprofits.

Tax deduction is another major reason why companies often donate to fundraisers.

For some, it’s a way to give back to the regions where they operate; for others, it’s a long-term strategy to solve systemic challenges that align with their business mission.

No matter the motivation, supporting local nonprofits strengthens communities and, in turn, fuels long-term growth.

List of companies that donate to nonprofits

Corporate donations or companies don’t work like individual donations. They don’t fill out any donation form and hit the donate button.

Most of the companies run their own donation campaign and announce that they’ll donate a portion of their total sales that come from the campaign.

Apart from financial support, there are many companies that donate products to nonprofits, such as food, medicine, sports kits, etc.

Whether it’s monetary aid, logistics, or essential supplies, here is a list of companies that donate to nonprofits recognized for their ongoing support in various impactful ways.

Google

Google, through its philanthropic arm Google.org, is a powerful force in the nonprofit world. As a company that thrives on innovation and inclusion, Google has pledged over $1 billion in grants and employee time over five years.

Since 2015, Google has not only donated $45 million to organizations supporting refugees, but it has also provided volunteer support by its employees.

In 2023 alone, they donated $100 million to organizations working on racial equity and digital inclusion.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve committed $100 million and 50,000 hours of pro bono support in areas where they can have the most impact.

Through their Ad Grants, Google provides nonprofits with $10,000 in in-kind advertising to promote their organizations via Google Ads. This makes it one of the best companies to ask for donations.

Nonprofits can explore their programs and apply through the Google for Nonprofits platform.

Microsoft

Microsoft is another tech titan that gives charitable donations, making a significant impact. In 2022, their employees, combined with the company’s charitable match program, donated $255 million to more than 32,000 nonprofits.

Microsoft mostly provides technology grants and software donations to nonprofit organizations around the world. 

They provided $3.2 billion in donated and discounted technology to 302,000 nonprofits serving over 1.2 billion people globally. Through their nonprofit hub, you will also have access to discounts on several of their cloud-based software programs.

Microsoft is a company that donates to nonprofits by providing software to leverage technology for good.

Walmart

Retail giant Walmart is known for its extensive community outreach. They’re trying to improve the public relations issues by giving back to the community. They help small nonprofits through local community grants and in-kind support through stores.

These grants, typically ranging from $250 to $5,000, are only available exclusively to local organizations that operate within communities near a Walmart or Sam’s Club location.

To be applicable, nonprofits must have a Spark Good account verified by Deed. 

Nonprofit organizations under 501(c)(4), (c)(6), and (c)(19) are not eligible to apply for this program. Excluding these, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) schools, charities, and churches can apply for local community grants.

Amazon

Being the largest online retailer, Amazon hasn’t overlooked the rising consumer demand for companies to give back to their communities

Through its AmazonSmile program and other giving initiatives, Amazon has contributed over $100 million to nonprofits in 2022. Their giving is customer-driven: when users shop via AmazonSmile, a portion of eligible purchases (0.5%) is donated to the nonprofit of their choice.

Though Amazon discontinued this program in early 2023, it makes them one of the go-to businesses that donate to fundraisers.

Another popular program is the AWS (Amazon Web Services) Imagine Grant, which is established to support nonprofit organizations using cloud technology to solve pressing challenges.

The program focuses on innovation in areas like health care, sustainability, and digital inclusion.

Amazon also donates funds to disaster relief and local food banks and helps them to provide meals to those in need. 

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is the most popular beverage company across the world. Their global influence extends beyond beverages to community support through The Coca-Cola Foundation.

In 2022, the foundation (TCCF) granted $139 million to programs that promote water sustainability, women’s empowerment, and education.

Coca-Cola is committed to giving back 1% of its prior year’s operating income annually. 

In the past 20 years, they also provided $69 million in scholarships to first-generation college students. Interested nonprofits can apply through the company’s online donation request form for grant opportunities.

Starbucks

Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse chain company that donates to nonprofits and supports initiatives that align with its mission of community service and sustainability. 

The Starbucks Foundation has consistently prioritized community well-being through a diverse range of grant programs. In 2020, their giving focused on disaster relief, supporting both local and international responses to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian wildfires, and the Beirut explosion.

Beyond emergency aid, the foundation also strengthened support for coffee- and tea-growing regions through its Origin Grants, investing over $25 million to date.

In a push for social equity, Starbucks launched a $1 million Neighborhood Grants initiative in mid-2020 to promote racial equity and inclusion.

This commitment has since grown to support Black-led and Indigenous-serving organizations, with a focus on advancing economic mobility, health access, and youth empowerment in underserved communities.

Target

Target Foundation has three types of grant programs. If your nonprofit operates in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, you could try for a hometown focus grant. US organizations are eligible for the national focus grant, and the global focus grant is for international organizations.

Target donated a total of $328 million to fundraising organizations. They’re mostly focused on the local community. In 2022, 94% of the total grants went to the local communities and programs.

Any nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status and with a Target store in their area can request a Target Giftcard donation directly from the store, which is a part of their Community Engagement Funds.

Disney

Disney is known not only for magical entertainment but also for its generosity. The company is deeply committed to strengthening communities by offering happiness, joy, and comfort, especially for kids and families facing difficult times.

In 2022, Disney donated about $233 million in cash and in-kind support to nonprofits to help children and families through their charitable giving programs.

They have been providing grants to environmentally focused nonprofits for over 25 years. They also donate tickets for Disney parks to volunteer events held by nonprofits. Additionally, they focus on supporting children’s hospitals, arts, and STEM education.

Costco

Costco supports nonprofits in two different ways: they provide financial grants to comparatively large organizations and offer products to smaller ones.

Costco is among the companies that donate products to nonprofits, and that too from the Costco warehouse.

Their philanthropy focuses on children, health care, and education. In 2022, they contributed around $58 million to support various charitable programs focused on children, education, health, and human services within the communities where Costco operates.

Nonprofit organizations located near a Costco warehouse are eligible for the grant.

Pepsi

Pepsi makes various types of donations, such as beverages, monetary gifts, and in-kind services, to nonprofits. Their philanthropic arm, the PepsiCo Foundation, addresses social issues such as nutrition, safe water, hunger relief, waste management, etc.

Globally, the company has contributed more than $63 million and an additional $59 million to help communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

PepsiCo also has an employee matching gift program, where they double the employee donations to eligible nonprofits.

Though they don’t respond to any unsolicited requests for financial donations, you can apply for product donations or program sponsorship through the contact page.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson is a very popular company that donates to nonprofits focusing on healthy vision, healthcare access, STEM education, and healthy communities. They provide cash contributions only to 501(c)(3) nonprofits via charitable programs.

They also provide surgery supplies to physicians who take part in overseas medical missions.

Johnson & Johnson lets their employees participate in different fundraising campaigns as volunteers through the VTO program, which offers them paid time off. They also offer a matching gift program for employees.

They pledged $1 million for disaster relief and rescue efforts after the earthquake in Syria and Turkey in 2023.

Kroger

Kroger is one of the companies that donate food to nonprofits. It’s making a strong impact in the nonprofit space through its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, which supports hunger relief, food waste reduction, and access to fresh food.

By partnering with nonprofits like Feeding America and No Kid Hungry, Kroger helps deliver meals to underserved communities, fund mobile pantries, and provide transportation for food banks.

Their giving also includes support for youth education, nutrition, disaster relief, and community strengthening.

In 2019, Kroger contributed over $279 million to nonprofit causes. Through the Community Rewards program, customers can also help earn donations for nonprofits, with up to $630,000 given annually.

Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status can apply for support by signing up for the Kroger Community Rewards Program.

Home Depot

The Home Depot Foundation, a philanthropy of Home Depot, primarily supports U.S. veterans’ housing modifications and disaster recovery.

The Community Impact Grants award up to $5000 to 501(c)(3) organizations in the form of Home Decor gift cards. This card could be used to buy tools, materials, or services, and the house is required to be completed within six months.

The Veteran Housing Grants award ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 to build a new or improved house for veterans.

If your nonprofit is eligible, you can apply for these grants with the donation request form.

Nike

Local sports teams’ fundraisers located in Brooklyn, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, New Orleans, Portland, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., can benefit from the Nike Community Impact Fund.

They match the donation amount of their employee giving program. If their employees volunteer for any nonprofit campaigns, Nike rewards them with $10 per hour, which goes up to $2500 per year.

Last year’s Giving Tuesday, Nike donated more than $10 million to 200+ deserving nonprofit organizations.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is actively driving change through its philanthropic focus on housing affordability, financial health, and small business growth.

The Wells Fargo Foundation partners with both national and local nonprofits that address critical community needs while also supporting efforts around diversity, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

What sets Wells Fargo apart is its commitment to employee involvement. Through the Community Care Grants program, the company matches employee donations and volunteer efforts with additional funding to eligible nonprofits.

Employees also receive 16 paid volunteer hours annually, reinforcing the bank’s belief in community-driven impact.

501(c)(3) registered nonprofits, tribal organizations, and public schools that demonstrate fiscal stability and strong community impact are eligible to apply.

Tips for nonprofits for seeking corporate donations

Whether it’s monetary or in-kind donations, these are the top companies that give donations to nonprofit organizations in the form of food, products, gift cards, volunteers, and more.

But as a fundraiser, how would you reach them? How would you ask them to be a part of your mission?

Well, all of these questions are answered here.

Securing corporations that donate to nonprofits takes more than sending a generic request. To truly resonate with a business, nonprofits need to be intentional, strategic, and relationship-driven.

Here are some key tips to secure your corporate donations:

Find a suitable company

Before making any donation request, do your homework. Look for companies whose mission, values, or CSR goals align with your cause. Don’t make your request to the wrong business.

A food security nonprofit, for example, is more likely to gain traction with a grocery chain or food manufacturer than with a tech company. Go through their website and social media, like their LinkedIn profile, to see if there is an opportunity for partnership.

Make a perfect donation request letter

Companies that donate to nonprofits have a dedicated donation request page or form for fundraisers, where you can make your request and invite them to join your mission.

Utilize this opportunity properly. Don’t just write a common donation letter for a prospective corporate donor. Provide your nonprofit website link, give proper contact details, and most importantly, write unique and personalized pitches for companies.

Remember, it is the first thing that the company goes through before making its decision. Study their previous philanthropic activities, give a proper explanation of how you would utilize their help, and how their mission and goal align with your organization.

Capitalize ChatGPT for nonprofits to write your perfect donation request letter.

Send follow-ups

These million-dollar companies are busy doing business. So don’t lose your hope if you don’t hear back immediately. If you see no response within a few days, consider giving a follow-up through the official email.

Highlight the positive points and appropriately write them.

Share success stories

Corporate companies that donate to nonprofit organizations want to see the real-world impact of their support. Share your success stories, testimonials, and data that highlight how your nonprofit changes lives.

Start with local

In search of big companies, if you overlook local businesses that donate to fundraisers, you’re missing important opportunities.

Many large companies focus on giving at the community level. Reach out to local branches or regional offices first; they often have smaller grant programs and are eager to support causes in their area.

These branches can serve as a communication bridge to the main company.

Wrapping up

Whatever the mission of your nonprofit, funding is essential to achieve it. From individual to corporate donations, every penny counts.

To ensure the long-term financial sustainability of your organization, you should reach out to the companies that donate to nonprofits regularly and make them a part of your journey.