21 Places To Donate Office Supplies

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Updated March 4, 2025

Many companies have unwanted office supplies they're unsure of what to do with. A company may want to purge items before a move, renovate its office and no longer need the old furniture, upgrade its computer systems, order a surplus of items or a variety of scenarios. In this article, we discuss what office supplies you can donate, examples of places to donate office supplies and the benefits of donating your supplies.Related: What Is Corporate Social Responsibility?

What types of office supplies can you donate?

You can donate most new or gently used office supplies, and you may donate nearly everything in your office. Examples of supplies you may donate include:

Pens
Pencils
Reams of paper
Dry erase markers
Desks
Chairs
Filing cabinets
Laptops
Computers
Monitors
Cubicles
Computer accessories, such as computer mice and keyboards
Phones
Tablets
Stationary or greeting cards
Coffee machines
Refrigerators

Your company may also consider donating old promotional materials, such as branded clothing to local shelters or branded mugs to programs that help people moving into their first home. It's important for all items you donate to be in good condition and for you to find a company looking for what you want to donate. Consider contacting the organization before dropping off or sending donations to verify they're currently accepting donations.Related: A Guide To Activism in the Workplace

Examples of places to donate office supplies

Different organizations accept different types of office supplies. Donating your company's unused or gently used items may require creative thinking and donating to multiple organizations. Donating office supplies may involve giving them to an organization to use, sell or distribute, or it may involve giving your items to companies properly equipped to recycle them. Here are some organizations to consider donating new or gently used office supplies to:

The Freecycle Network

The Freecycle Network is an online network that allows you to post anything for donation and trade. Freecycle moderates the network to ensure safe practices, and you can list items based on your general geographic location. Using this network also allows you to create a personal connection with the recipient of your items.

Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill Industries International is a popular choice for donations of all types. They accept most furniture and kitchen supplies. Some Goodwill locations also now offer an electronic recycling program. With this program, you can donate the following items for Goodwill and its partners to refurbish to resell, use in their career centers or properly recycle and dispose of:

Desktop computers
Printers
Laptops
Notebook or netbook computers
Cords and cables
Keyboards
Computer mice
Monitors
Scanners
Software
Speakers
Some types of webcams
Ink and toner cartridges

Vietnam Veterans of America

The Vietnam Veterans of America (VAA) is a charity that supports and empowers all veterans with a focus on homeless, poor and underserved veterans. VVA accepts most items, such as art and office supplies, small appliances and furniture. However, they do not accept large electronic devices or oversized furniture.

iLoveSchools

iLoveSchools is an online non-profit organization where teachers create wishlists of supplies. Teachers list specific materials or supplies they or their students need, and you can find the best place for your donation. iLoveSchools may be good to donate items like folders, paper, pens and pencils.

Operation Give

Operation Give is a global program that supports U.S. troops and families both during and after military life. Operative Give also assists with global humanitarian projects to support refugees and anyone in need. They accept office supplies for children to use in school and furniture for troops and families to use in their homes.

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) researches neuromuscular disorders and advocates for people living with these disorders. MDA accepts donations of all office supplies, including furniture and technological equipment, and uses these in their offices. This helps MDA reduce overhead costs and use their funds to support research and care efforts.

National Cristina Foundation

National Cristina Foundation is a nonprofit agency that assists with reusing technology. This foundation can help connect you with a local non-profit group, agency or community in your area. Use their website to search for organizations in your area or for a specific need.

Develop Africa

Develop Africa is a non-profit organization that provides school supplies, computer training and scholarships to various African countries. They accept new and gently used essential school supplies. This includes materials like paper, pencils and markers.

Recycles.org

Recycles.org allows you to list any office supplies your company has available for donation. Non-profit organizations can search the site to find what they're looking for. They're able to connect with you directly to arrange getting your furniture, equipment or supplies.

The Gray Matters Foundation

The Gray Matters Foundation is an organization that sends cards and small gifts to people with brain tumors. They accept donations of stickers, postage stamps, blank greeting cards and envelopes. The Gray Matters Foundation accepts donations via mail.

World Computer Exchange

World Computer Exchange is a global organization that refurbishes and distributes computers to developing countries. They also provide coding and digital literacy courses. World Computer Exchange accepts various types of technology and electronics, but all donations must be in working condition.

Computer Recycling Center

Computer Recycling Center collects computer systems. While the organization's primary goal is to reuse items, they ensure the proper recycling of unusable electronic items to avoid putting them in landfills. Computer Recycling Center accepts items like computers, servers, laptops, notebooks, cords and computer mice.

Salvation Army

Salvation Army is another common choice for donating nearly all of your items in one place. This includes computer and technology equipment. Salvation Army accepts drop-off donations, or many locations offer free pickup services.

Habitat for Humanity ReStores

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are independently owned reuse stores. Local Habitat for Humanity organizations operate the stores where they accept and resell various items. Most accept new and gently used furniture, household good and appliances. However, each store is unique, so it's important to contact them before bringing donations.

AMVETS

American Veterans, or AMVETS, is a Congressionally chartered service organization that supports veterans and their families. AMVETS operates thrift stores to support its programs for veterans. They may accept furniture items and small household appliances, such as coffeemakers.

Furniture Bank Network

The Furniture Bank Network (FBN) allows furniture banks across North America to communicate to provide furniture to those in need and prevent furniture from ending up in landfills. The FBN accepts most new or gently used office furniture, but needs may vary by location. The FBN may assist in covering the cost of transporting your office furniture to another bank if there is not one near you.

Kids In Need Foundation

Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) provides supplies to under-resourced teachers and students. KINF accepts donations all year to fill boxes and backpacks that they give to teachers and students. They accept new items appropriate for students of all ages, but they may consider gently used items. KINF accepts items like:

Single-subject notebooks
No. 2 pencils
Folders
Facial tissue
Hand sanitizer
Individual dry erase boards

Schools on Wheels

Schools on Wheels works to improve educational opportunities for children experiencing homelessness. They provide every child they help with a backpack of school supplies. Schools on Wheels accepts a variety of school supplies, but they only accept new items.

Local retail stores

Some office supply retail chains offer donation drop-off or trade-in programs. Many of these programs focus on recycling to ensure the proper disposal of the electronic items, and many stores also offer programs to collect office supplies that children may use as school supplies. Some of these stores provide a coupon or discount code for you to use later to thank you for your donation.

Local donation and recycling sites

Look for local recycling sites in your area, especially for electronics and technological equipment. Search for local non-profit organizations with a mission or goals that align with your company's values. Consider talking to small businesses in your community to see if they could benefit from any of your unwanted supplies.If your company has non-traditional office supplies or old promotional items to donate, reach out to local shelters or groups. This may be a good way to donate items like branded T-shirts, breakroom dishes, surplus cleaning supplies and extra toiletry items, such as tissues or hand sanitizer. If your company has branded stuffed animals, consider reaching out to your local children's hospital, fire department or police department.

Local schools or art programs

Many local schools and art programs frequently look for supplies. This includes things like any type of writing instruments, paper, folders and notebooks. However, some schools may also welcome donations of old computer equipment or furniture.

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Benefits of donating office supplies

Here are some benefits of donating office supplies:

Reduce clutter in the office

Donating office supplies is an efficient way to reduce clutter in the office. This may help streamline operations within your office and create a more pleasant, low-stress atmosphere. Consider starting with your supply closet. Assess what your company actually uses and what it can eliminate.Reducing clutter and donating supplies may also serve as an opportunity to update office policies and procedures or update inventory practices to reduce spending. For example, evaluate how many reams of unused paper are in the closet, and consider the possibility of going paperless. If your company rarely sends companies to conferences or trade shows anymore, think about stopping ordering giveaways like branded pens or USB flash drives.Related: How To Organize Your Office (With Instructions and Tips)

Practice environmentally friendly habits

Donating and recycling office supplies helps reduce waste and what goes into landfills. It may also help prevent unnecessary spending. Recycling technology can be especially important to ensure you dispose of old computers, tablets and smartphones properly.Recycling and donating supplies may also provide you with a unique selling proposition. Some consumers look for companies with eco-friendly habits. By properly disposing of your supplies or finding new homes for them, you can promote your company's commitment to the environment.

Make a positive impact

Donating office supplies may provide individuals or organizations with resources or materials they may not have otherwise been able to afford. This also allows recipients to reallocate their budget to use their money in other ways. For example, if your company donates unused boxes of pencils and pens to a local after-school tutoring program, the organization may spend money on snacks for kids to enjoy while they study or as a treat.Related:& Types of Social Responsibility

Potentially receive financial benefits

A company may claim tax deductions for donations they make to receive corporate tax breaks. Claims may depend on the type of organization the company donates to. Also, the company's taxable income dictates how much it can claim. In general, a company may claim tax deductions for up to 10 percent of its income.

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