How to find FREE stuff for your charity

Places Charities in the UK Can Go for Free Stuff

Running a charity on a tight budget? Sourcing free supplies can make a massive difference. Thankfully, many organisations and businesses offer free items to charities across the UK. From office supplies to furniture and food, here are over 20 places where charities can get free stuff.

1. 4imprint One by One Programme – www.4imprint.co.uk/tag/714/one-by-one/t/1689-1920-296

4imprint donates promotional products like branded pens, bags, and mugs to charities, helping with fundraising and awareness campaigns.

2. Orchard Toys Donations – www.orchardtoys.com/index/donations_751.htm

Orchard Toys provides donations of educational games and puzzles to charities and schools for fundraising or community projects.

3. Charity Excellence Framework – www.charityexcellence.co.uk/companies-that-donate-to-charity

A fantastic resource listing companies that donate goods, services, and funds to UK charities.

4. Amazon Giving Locally – www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/community/giving-locally

Amazon donates essential products to charities, food banks, and families in need through its local giving programme.

5. In Kind Direct – www.inkinddirect.org

Distributes surplus consumer goods donated by businesses, including toiletries, cleaning products, and clothing, to charities.

6. Furniture Donation Network – www.furnituredonationnetwork.org

Provides free furniture to charities and those in need. They collect high-quality furniture from businesses and households.

7. FareShare – www.fareshare.org.uk

Redistributes surplus food from supermarkets and food suppliers to charities that support vulnerable people.

8. The Real Junk Food Project – www.trjfp.com

Aims to eliminate food waste by redistributing surplus food to community groups, schools, and charities.

9. Freecycle – www.freecycle.org

A community-driven website where people give away unwanted items for free. Great for finding furniture, office supplies, and more.

10. Taproot Plus – www.taprootplus.org

Matches charities with skilled volunteers who offer pro-bono services, such as graphic design, IT support, and marketing.

11. Local Businesses & Supermarkets

Many local businesses and large retailers like Tesco and Asda have community giving programmes. Check their websites or visit stores to ask about donations.

12. Community RePaint – www.communityrepaint.org.uk

Redistributes leftover paint from decorating companies and individuals to charities and community groups.

13. Freegle – www.ilovefreegle.org

Similar to Freecycle, Freegle allows people to give away items they no longer need.

14. Gumtree Freebies Section – www.gumtree.com/freebies

Gumtree has a ‘freebies’ section where people give away unwanted furniture, appliances, and office supplies.

15. Local Council Donation Schemes

Some councils donate office furniture and equipment to charities. Check your local council’s website to see if they have such a scheme.

16. Facebook Marketplace & Local Community Groups

Join local Facebook groups where people often give away items for free. Many communities have ‘free stuff’ or ‘donate to charity’ groups.

17. B&Q Community Reuse Scheme – www.diy.com/corporate/community-reuse

B&Q donates surplus materials, including paint, tiles, and wood, to charities for DIY projects.

18. Wickes Local Community Support – www.wickes.co.uk/csr

Wickes also donates leftover materials and supports community-based projects.

19. Bloody Good Period – www.bloodygoodperiod.com/delivery

Provides free menstrual products to charities supporting asylum seekers, refugees, and low-income individuals.

20. Neighbourly Good Causes – www.neighbourly.com/solution/good-causes

Connects charities with businesses that have surplus food and essential products to donate.

21. Collecteco for Good Causes – www.collecteco.co.uk/good-causes

Collecteco works with businesses to donate furniture, equipment, and materials to charities and community groups.

22. A Good Thing – www.agoodthing.org.uk/charity

Matches charities with businesses looking to donate surplus goods, from office furniture to clothing.

23. Giving World – www.givingworld.org.uk/get-products

Provides free essential items such as clothing, toiletries, and household goods to charities supporting people in need.

24. Latest Free Stuff – Charity Donations – www.latestfreestuff.co.uk/free-charity-donations

Regularly updates a list of free items available for charities, including food, clothing, and office supplies.

Final Tip: Just Ask!

Many companies don’t advertise donation programmes but are happy to help if asked. Write to businesses explaining your charity’s needs – you might be surprised by how many are willing to donate!