Supply Drive Tool Kit

With more than 70% of schools considered high-need in Central Florida, a lack of school supplies isn’t just a back-to-school issue – It’s an everyday challenge for thousands of students all year.

Hosting a supply drive is an easy, powerful way to support local classrooms whenever it works for you. Whether it’s through your company, community group, church, or even with family and friends, every supply drive makes a lasting difference.

Every student deserves the supplies to succeed. Every teacher deserves the tools to teach. Together, we can empower educators and inspire future leaders all year.

SCHEDULE A DONATION DROP-OFF

A little planning will go a long way. Here’s some help to get you going.

STEP 1: CREATE!

MAKE A GOAL. After registering your supply drive, set a realistic number of supplies you want to collect or funds you want to raise.

PICK A DATE. Create a sense of urgency by selecting an end date for your drive so people know when their last chance is to participate – then remind them!

DESIGNATE A COLLECTION POINT. Create a flyer to attach to a box to make dropping off supplies easy. Be sure to include details like the goal, collection dates, and items accepted.

STEP 2: COLLECT!

TELL EVERYONE. Promote your drive by putting up flyers, sending emails, and sharing it on social media. Don't forget to tag us @AGiftForTeaching on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

MAKE IT FUN. Start a friendly competition or provide small incentives to encourage people to donate supplies or funds to your supply drive. Creating a thermometer to fill in throughout your drive is also a great visual to show how close you are to your goal!

GIVE OPTIONS. Encourage supporters to give in the way that works best for them — whether it's dropping off supplies, making a financial donation, or simply spreading the word to others who can help. Every $1 received is transformed into $10 worth of supplies.

STEP 3: CELEBRATE!

GIVE THANKS. Don’t forget to thank everyone who supported your supply drive to make a difference in the lives of local students and teachers!

DROP OFF YOUR DONATION. Label your donation bags/boxes with your supply drive name before scheduling a donation drop-off at A Gift for Teaching.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST. Receive updates and more ways to help the students and teachers you’re supporting throughout the school year.

Fun Ideas for Supply Drives

Bragging Rights

Part of a large company? Turn your supply drive into a friendly competition!

Build team spirit, boost morale, and showcase your commitment to giving back to the community by challenging different departments, teams, or locations to see who can collect the most supplies to win bragging rights (and maybe a fun certificate or prize).

Simple Incentives

Want to show your clients that you care about the community?

Offer complimentary or discounted services/products for those who contribute to your drive. It’s a meaningful way to engage your customers, support local classrooms, and highlight your business’s commitment to Central Florida’s future.

Friday Fun-day

Looking for fun group activities?

Organize a “Jeans Day” as a special treat where team members can donate to dress casually for a cause. You can also plan a fun group lunch or happy hour activity for people to donate to experience, have a good time, and make a difference together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register my company/organization to host a supply drive?

Designate (1) one Team Captain to register and manage the supply drive. Then click “Register Your Drive” and complete the form. Once registered, we suggest creating a supply drive flyer and designating a box to collect donated supplies.

All donation bags/boxes must also be labeled with the company name to be matched to a registered supply drive.

What’s better? School supplies or financial donations?

BOTH are important! A Gift for Teaching is open for teacher shopping throughout the entire school year. Community drives and fundraisers help ensure store shelves are stocked with free educational resources all year.

If you are collecting financial donations, make sure to use our employer search tool to see if the donations could go even further with a matching gift from a company! Often times, gifts from retirees and employees’ spouses qualify for a match too.

Do you provide donation boxes or promotional materials?

We’d be happy to provide digital materials about A Gift for Teaching’s mission and programs to print and share, but we do not have donation boxes to provide.

We suggest wrapping a cardboard box or using a storage container and attaching your supply drive flyer in front. Creating a thermometer or countdown to fill in throughout your drive is also a great visual to show how close you are to your goal.

Does this count as volunteer community service hours?

Yes, organizing a supply drive may qualify for community service hours. Just let us know if you need anything signed.

Did you know many companies will provide monetary grants for volunteer time that their employees have given to their favorite charities? Use our quick search tool to see if your employer matches financial gifts or has a volunteer grant program.

Where can I drop off my physical supply donations?

Please label your donation bags/boxes with your company name before dropping them off. When you are ready to deliver your supply drive collections, make sure to schedule a donation drop-off prior to your arrival. Please note that A Gift for Teaching does not have the capacity to pick up donations.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

A Gift for Teaching is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations directly to A Gift for Teaching are tax-deductible, please consult a tax professional for further details and questions. Our Federal Tax ID Number is 59-3515162.