The holiday season brings countless opportunities to make a difference. How will your organization step up to meet the needs of the community you serve and those around you? If you’re still figuring it out, this blog is for you. We’ve curated some creative Thanksgiving donation box ideas and practical tips to help you collect even more donations this season!
People face an array of unique challenges during the holiday season, making it a great time of the year for nonprofits to step up and offer support. From collecting meals for families or toys for children, donation drives offer a practical and tangible way to meet the needs of your community, while also building strong relationships with your donors.
We’ve put together some creative Thanksgiving donation box ideas and helpful tips to boost your fundraising and reach a wider audience during the holidays.
Organizations host donation drives to collect items such as food, clothing, and hygiene products to help those in need in their community. While traditional donation drives often include a physical box for gathering donations, some organizations also choose to offer a virtual donation box where supporters can give money online. This option makes giving more flexible and can even expand the reach of the drive. Once all the donations are collected, volunteers typically deliver the contributions to those in need.
As world hunger continues to rise, with 733 million people (1 in 11) going hungry every day, your organization can make a difference by hosting a food drive. Collect items with a long shelf life such as canned goods, pasta, rice, and dried beans. These pantry staples provide beneficiaries with lasting nutrition.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, consider collecting frozen turkeys along with all the classic holiday fixings like cranberry sauce and green beans. Special Thanksgiving-themed boxes can go a long way to helping families enjoy a special meal despite their challenging circumstances.
Looking for fun food donation box decorating ideas? Check out the “Decorate Your Donation Box” section below.
Clothing drives offer double the reward. On the one hand, donors are offered an opportunity to clean out their closets and recycle gently worn items they no longer need. On the other, beneficiaries are given clothes and items they might struggle to purchase. Gently-used clothing can benefit the homeless, families with growing children, or those facing financial difficulty. Collecting coats, sweaters, shoes, and winter accessories is especially helpful as temperatures drop.
A clothing drive also doubles as a way to share your mission. By distributing marketing materials and connecting with potential donors, you can invite others to join your cause.
The holidays are stressful for parents who are facing financial stress. Giving gifts to their children may not be possible, especially for single-parent homes. A toy drive can help make a child’s Christmas memorable. Make it even easier by sharing online Amazon wish lists so supporters can purchase gifts they know the child will love.
Any donation box can become a virtual giving opportunity through online donation pages. Your organization can set up an online fundraiser to collect funds that directly support your drive — whether it’s for food, clothes, or toys.
For example, the nonprofit Strong City used a Donorbox donation page to raise funds for Thanksgiving food baskets aiding families in New Orleans.
Online donation boxes like this make it easy for supporters to give, even if they can’t make it to the physical drop-off location. Plus, online giving can help you grow your audience and expand your organization’s reach!
Supporting your local foster care agency is a great way to bring some holiday joy to children without homes. Children in the foster care system often need new clothes, school supplies, hygiene items, and toys. Some agencies even offer nonprofits the chance to deliver the donations directly to the children, making the experience even more meaningful.
Host a donation box drive that serves your local homeless community. Encourage supporters to assemble their own care packages stocked with essential items like socks, non-perishable food, hygiene products, an encouraging note, and gift cards for gas or food. These bags can then be delivered to people directly or kept in cars to hand out when passing someone experiencing homelessness.
The holidays can be especially difficult for those experiencing grief, depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles. In fact, 57.8 million adults live with some form of mental illness. A mental health drive can provide comfort and support this time of year. Collect items to relieve stress such as coloring books, self-help guides, gift certificates for counseling services, and self-care toiletries. While these items may not solve the problem, they raise awareness about mental illness and show those suffering that they are seen and cared for.
Similar to online donation forms and texting, a mobile donation kiosk makes donating convenient. By setting up a mobile kiosk at your donation site or fundraising event, your organization can collect funds on the spot without requiring cash or tangible items to donate. Setting up a donation kiosk is easy with Donorbox – all you need is a tablet, card reader, and the Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app to start collecting funds!
Many senior citizens living in nursing homes feel lonely during the holidays. Collecting comforting items for the elderly such as books, toiletries, snacks, and puzzles reminds them that they are valued and remembered. Like foster care homes, nursing homes may allow organizations to personally drop off these thoughtful gifts. If collecting donations of physical items isn’t possible, consider doing an online dive. The example above from Senior Living Ministries Inc. is a great example of how an online donation form can highlight your mission, offer multiple ways to give, and increase the reach of your organization.
Texting is another quick and easy way for your supporters to donate. With tools like Donorbox Text-to-Give, donors can give by sending a text like “FOODDRIVE” to a designated number. They’ll then receive an automated link to your organization’s donation page where they can give on the go.
Grab the attention of potential donors by decorating your Thanksgiving donation box. Use seasonal supplies like ribbons, bows, mini pumpkins, and fall florals for a festive touch, or incorporate your organization’s branded colors and logo to make it uniquely yours. A beautifully decorated box helps capture your donor’s attention and shows that your organization went the extra mile to make the donation experience warm and inviting.
Providing an incentive can give those on the fence a little extra nudge to donate. Offer ticket discounts to upcoming events, thank-you goody bags, or raffle entries for a chance to win a big-ticket prize. Small perks like these can make donating more fun and exciting!
Hosting a fundraising event around your drive is a great way to engage your community. Plan family-friendly activities such as a bake sale, walk-a-thon, or fall festival. These events can go a long way to building strong connections with existing and potential donors while helping you raise more funds this season.
Your community members are more inclined to give when they understand the value of giving. One way to demonstrate this is by showcasing the impact of donations in your communications and on your online donation form, the way Philoxenia did for their Thanksgiving Shopping Bag campaign. They listed what each donation level provides so donors have a clear sense of the difference their donation will make.
While you may have a physical donation drop-off location, adding an online drive to your campaign can expand its reach even further. Link to your online drive donation page on social media, your organization’s newsletter, and community groups. Traditional media outlets such as community billboards and mailers are also effective for reaching more people. Remember, promoting through multiple channels increases your chance of attracting donors.
While generosity is important all year round, Thanksgiving is an especially important time to give back. Here are a few reasons why.
Generosity is the theme of the season! People are more likely to give around Thanksgiving as they reflect on their blessings, and for many families, giving during the holidays is a special tradition. By offering ways to give, your organization can help people make a real impact.
Collecting donations around Thanksgiving makes a real difference in people’s lives. Every contribution, whether it’s food, warm clothing, or toys, can help people have a brighter holiday.
Thanksgiving is also a great time to raise awareness of the needs in your community. During the rush of the holiday season, your organization can help people stay mindful of those who need extra support.
There are many amazing nonprofits and ministries dedicated to serving! Partnering with these organizations to collect donations can expand your impact and highlight other organizations making a difference.
They don’t call it the “season of giving” for nothing! Thanksgiving is the perfect time to inspire generosity and serve those in need. Whether you’re collecting donations for people without homes, foster children, or single-parent families, adding an online giving option can significantly expand your impact.
To help make your donation box a success, Donorbox offers easy-to-use online donation pages, convenient mobile and in-person giving options like Peer-to-Peer fundraising, Crowdfunding, Donorbox Live Kiosk, and a powerful Events platform to help you maximize your fundraising potential. Start fundraising for free today!
Don’t forget to visit our Nonprofit Blog for more tips, resources, and advice on how to raise the most this Giving Season!
With a background in professional writing, Lydia has over five years in nonprofit communications under her belt. Lydia’s passion for supporting nonprofits sparked during her college internships with global mission organizations, where she gained valuable insights into fundraising marketing strategies. These experiences have continued to fuel her dedication to empowering nonprofits through her writing.
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Lydia Wohlgemuth