Whether it's purchasing the essentials for the day-to-day running of your charity, special items for projects, or products that your service users and clients need most, shopping is undoubtedly expensive. Especially at the moment, and especially for voluntary groups with already stretched budgets.
Below we have collated a selection of businesses, charitable initiatives and other places that currently offer free or discounted products to charities and community groups. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but one that should help point you in the right direction and provide some support to those smaller charities without the existing knowledge, connections or time to hunt for bargains.
The below includes both well-established, national platforms, as well as more niche and local initiatives.
In Kind Direct - A charity that donates new, unused consumable goods, directly from manufacturers. They send out regular bulletins detailing new products, and have a catalogue you can browse. Products are heavily discounted - on average by 80% - and include household goods, toiletries, clothing and other miscellaneous items. Find out more here.
Giving World - Saving brand new items from landfill and redistributing essential products to registered charities and community groups, to pass on to their service users. Simultaneously granting a new lease of life to perfectly good items, and alleviating poverty for beneficiaries. Non-profit organisations can become members and request free products here: https://www.givingworld.org.uk/get-products/
A Good Thing - A non-profit organisation matchmaking businesses with surplus products, with charities who need them. They have a handy app which makes it super easy to request donated items, everything from IT equipment for staff, to office furniture, or meeting space. The service is free and aims to help charities of all sizes. Find out more.
Collecteco - A Bristol-based organisation helping companies to donate furniture and equipment to good causes across the U.K. Sign up to their mailing list to discover available items, or simply send Collecteco your wishlist, and they'll get in touch. The items and service are free, and low-cost delivery can be arranged if you're not able to collect the items. Learn more here.
Neighbourly - Also Bristol-based, Neighbourly connects local charities and community groups with surplus food, toiletries and household goods. The platform is free to use, and also connects you with businesses that have volunteer time to spare, as well as products and money. Find out more here.
B&Q Community Re-use - A B&Q programme to reduce waste and put surplus products - ranging from pallets, to tables, and tiles - to good use via donation to local good causes. B&Q work with Neighbourly. Read more here.
HomeKIT by Share and Repair - Local Bath-based charity, Share and Repair, take in used and donated household appliances, whip them back into tip-top shape with the help of their skilled volunteers, and redistribute them through their partner charities, to those in need. If your service users could benefit from this scheme, why not get in touch here to see if you can partner with Share and Repair.
Bloody Good Period - If your charitable group works with asylum seekers, refugees, and others unable to afford period products, get in touch to become a community partner with Bloody Good Period. Once you are part of the network, your organisation will be able to request free, high-quality period and menstrual health supplies for your service users. Find out more here.
HelpFinder by Charity Excellence Framework - This is not an organisation directly offering free products, rather a comprehensive and extensive resource hub designed for you to search for any free or probono service or product your charity may need. This could be anything from software and hardware requirements, to raffle gifts for your fundraising events. You need to register (which is free) to use the resource, which you can view here.
If you know of any other organisations or initiatives offering free products to charitable groups, or if you have a specific request, please get in touch via contact@3sg.org.uk
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