Costco donation request
Costco gives to 501(c)(3) nonprofits that focus on children, education, or health and human services, and accepts requests all year on a rolling basis. Local organizations print Costco's Warehouse Donation Request Form and take it to their nearest Costco warehouse, where the request is handled. Larger, broad-based organizations apply for a grant through Costco's online application instead, and each organization may submit one request per fiscal year (September to August).
Checked against Costco Wholesale's own pages on October 5, 2026 by With Help From. Not affiliated with Costco Wholesale.
At a glance
- Status
- Accepts requests
- What it gives
- Monetary donations. The form says Costco Shop Cards may be issued in place of monetary or in-kind requests. (Warehouse Donations)
- Cash grants for larger, broad-based organizations and causes (Grant Applications)
- Who decides
- Local store
- Apply ahead
- The form says to submit at least 4-6 weeks before the event. Costco's FAQ says a lead time of at least 3 months before a planned event or program allows timely consideration.
Warehouse Donations
Monetary donations. The form says Costco Shop Cards may be issued in place of monetary or in-kind requests.
- Who can apply
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Focus on children, education, and/or health and human services
- Local organizations and local causes
- Monetary requests only
- How to apply
- Read Costco's charitable giving guidelines and FAQ.
- Fill out the Warehouse Donation Request Form on a computer and print it. It cannot be submitted online.
- Give the organization's EIN, 501(c)(3) date, contact details, the program or event, how the funds will be used, the community served, the number of people served and the event date, and sign it as an authorized agent of the nonprofit.
- Bring the completed form to your nearest Costco warehouse.
- Lead time
- The form says to submit at least 4-6 weeks before the event. Costco's FAQ says a lead time of at least 3 months before a planned event or program allows timely consideration.
- Deadlines
- Rolling, all year. One request per organization per fiscal year (September to August).
- Response
- Handled at the warehouse level: Costco says to ask your local warehouse about its donation contacts and review process. The form says Costco cannot guarantee a response to all donation requests.
Grant Applications
Cash grants for larger, broad-based organizations and causes. Requests should not exceed 10% of the program's overall budget. Costco says award sizes vary and advises new applicants to make conservative requests.
- Who can apply
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Focus on children, education, and/or health and human services
- Larger, broad-based organizations or causes
- Organizations at any distance from a Costco location
- Not eligible
- Individuals (crowdfunding, GoFundMe pages, etc.)
- Capital campaigns, building projects, or equipment
- Transportation and travel expenses
- Political organizations
- Religious organizations for religious purposes
- Salaries or staff training
- Government agencies
- Loans or investments
- Research studies
- Athletic teams, events, booster clubs, or sponsorships
- Animal related programs, including shelters
- Merchandise for fundraisers and auctions
- Symposiums, conferences, conventions, professional association meetings
- Individual primary and secondary schools, PTOs and PTAs
- Merchandise promotions, partnerships or advertising
- General awareness campaigns or advocacy
- Development or production of books, films, videos, television programs, social media or websites
- Parties, celebrations, parades, festivals and raffles
- Deficit funding
- Awards, monuments and/or memorials
- How to apply
- Prepare a cover letter, a W-9, the organization's budget for the current and past year, program budget information for the current and past year if applicable, and an impact report if Costco funded you before.
- Open the Costco Wholesale Corporate Grant Application (hosted by Benevity) from Costco's Charitable Giving page and accept the funding statements.
- Choose the Costco regional office closest to you, then enter contact, financial and program information and the amount requested.
- Attach the W-9 and cover letter and submit. Costco sends an email confirming it received the application.
- Lead time
- At least 3 months before a planned event or program, per Costco's FAQ
- Deadlines
- Rolling, all year. One request per organization per fiscal year (September to August).
- Response
- The corporate application says Costco sends a receipt confirmation and then an approval or decline by email. The FAQ says grant applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks. Application questions: CommunityRelations@costco.com.
Write the request
Before you open the form, write down what the donation is for, the date, how many people it reaches and how you will thank Costco. If Costco asks for a letter, adapt the donation request template or a youth sports sponsorship letter. After a yes, send a sponsor thank-you letter.
Questions
- Does Costco donate gift cards?
- Costco's warehouse donation form says Costco Shop Cards may be issued in place of monetary or in-kind requests.
- Can a sports team, booster club or PTA apply for a corporate grant?
- Costco's grant application says it does not fund athletic teams, events, booster clubs or sponsorships, or individual primary and secondary schools, PTOs and PTAs. Every request must come from a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
- How far ahead should we ask?
- Costco's FAQ says a lead time of at least 3 months before a planned event or program allows timely consideration.
- How long does Costco take to reply?
- Corporate grant applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks. Warehouse donations are handled at the warehouse level; contact your local warehouse for its current review process.
- Can we fundraise or collect donations outside a Costco?
- No. Costco says nonprofit campaigns are not permitted on Costco property, including parking lots, because its warehouses are open only to members and their guests.
Sources
- Charitable Giving | Costco (Costco Wholesale)
- Charitable Giving FAQ | Costco (Costco Wholesale)
- Warehouse Donation Request Form (Costco Wholesale)
- Costco Wholesale - Corporate Grant Application (Costco Wholesale (Benevity form linked from costco.com))
- Are non-profit campaigns allowed on Costco property? (Costco Wholesale Customer Service)
Other big-box and online retail companies
Ask local businesses too
Independent businesses near you have no national form: the owner decides. Post what you need so businesses on With Help From can find you, or read how to ask local businesses for donations.