We have made the backpack donation drive easier to execute, and you’ll do it in less time. Read on.
With COVID-19 officially over, kids are thinking about their no-mask summer vacations and not thinking of returning to school anytime soon. But for many nonprofits, all they’re thinking about is back-to-school, back-to-school backpacks, that is.
Does this sound familiar? Early July is go-time for local nonprofits to finalize their plans for backpack donation drives. Once their donation goals are met, they buy supplies and invite the community to a backpack-stuffing party. Once assembled, they are ready to give to students in need as they return to school. And by the time all of this is completed, it’s days away from the start of a new school year.
Streamline Your Drive — Scale Your Impact
You’ve learned how to turn a backpack drive into an efficient online fundraising machine. Now expand it — launch an auction that fuels momentum, increases donations, and removes manual burdens.
Launch Your Drive + Auction Combo“We’ve made backpack donation drives a whole lot easier.”
An online backpack donation drive is the answer for an easier way to get more donations in less time. An online backpack drive is more structured and less hectic than asking for donations the traditional way. It takes the stress out of the process. If you’ve been involved in this process, you know what we’re talking about!
If you’re scratching your head, wondering how your organization could possibly do an online donation backpack drive, fasten your seat belt. It is possible. And it’s easier than the traditional method. Ready to switch gears?
Switching To An Online Backpack Donation Drive
An online backpack donation drive is everything your traditional drive has been, with one exception. And you’re going to like it. The exception is swapping the “trying to convince local businesses to donate via in-person visits” with strategic marketing doing the heavy lifting. If you’re a veteran of backpack drives, we think you’ll love the online backpack donation method. It practically eliminates boots on the ground, saving time and volunteers.
Marketing Does the Heavy Lifting
By initiating a marketing plan that includes press releases, pitching feel-good segments for the local news, having everyone on your team flood their social media with posts, creating posters, handing fliers to every business, announcing it at meetings, putting it on your email signature, sending emails and using any other opportunity to promote your backpack donation drive, you no longer have to knock on doors, hoping for a donation.
The significant part about these marketing tactics is that you’ll have your URL to send donors to donate money OR purchase as many backpacks filled with school supplies as they’d like. It’s easier for you, but think about how streamlined it is for the donors. If you worry about not having face time with your donors, don’t worry. When the backpack donation drive is over, you can make plenty of visits and send thank-you cards and emails.
Using CharityAuctionsToday’s online auction platform, you easily create “items” on your site for donors to purchase. The items are bundles of backpacks filled with supplies. Bundles can be in the amounts of 1, 5, 10, 25, or whatever amounts you choose. Or they can opt to donate money right there, on your site, instead of buying a bundle of backpacks. This way, you get payment immediately, ending the cycle of chasing promised donations—a huge timesaver.
PRO TIP
PRO TIP
The marketing strategy replaces boots on the ground, hitting all the local businesses for donations virtually. It takes the right person, or people, to have the patience and know-how to knock on doors, often the same doors several times. We don’t have to tell you how much time that takes or how hard it can be. With a marketing strategy, the hard work is front-loaded. Most organizations have marketing departments equipped to organize and execute your plan, handling the front-loading. In fact, they will more than likely have new ideas to recommend. If you have any questions, you can always call us for help.
Using the CharityAuctionsToday online auction platform as your tool to accept donations, you’ll find more time to seek donations by other methods—just another perk of the time-saving online backpack donation drive.
The State of Backpacks and Back-To-School Supplies
This is the big picture of back-to-school spending as a frame of reference. Did you know that $5.17 billion was spent on backpacks in 2022—a 25% increase from 2021? (Thank you, pandemic.) School backpacks are the second largest segment of the backpack market, accounting for over 67% of the total U.S. market share. Travel backpacks are first, and hiking backpacks are third. In contrast, total back-to-school spending, including supplies, electronics, and clothing, in 2021 was $37 billion. The takeaway is that parents spend a lot of money on their kids at back-to-school time, and many are worried about the financial strain.
Why Backpack Donation Drives?
Why do we hold annual school backpack donation drives? We don’t have to tell you but need is the primary accelerator, and the subtext is that we don’t want any children to be without the supplies they need for a successful education. Children who do not have the necessary supplies may be less likely to attend school, participate in class, or complete their assignments. They may also be more likely to fall behind their classmates and drop out altogether. Preventing students from falling into these sabotaging traps aligns perfectly with wanting every child to learn and succeed.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, an estimated 15 million children in the United States live in households that cannot afford to purchase school supplies for their children. This means that one in six children in the United States starts the school year without the basic supplies they need to succeed. It also means that teachers often absorb the burden of buying supplies for these children from their own pockets. This is why we hold back-to-school backpack donation drives.
Of course, there’s another reason we do it. It’s compassion and love for others.
National Organizations Help Local Backpack Donation Drives
Staggering numbers like the ones just mentioned drive many national organizations, such as Salvation Army and United Way, to swoop in to use their national credibility and funding to coordinate backpack and supplies drives, many in tandem with local organizations.
In addition to these two backbone organizations helping, other organizations provide school supplies to children in need. Some of the most well-known include:
These organizations provide backpacks with school supplies to students in need, regardless of their family's income. The supplies in the backpacks typically include pencils, pens, notebooks, folders, calculators, and other essential items for students to succeed in school.
Create Your Online Backpack Donation Drive in Less Than Five Minutes
Ready to save time and money while creating a more efficient back-to-school backpack donation drive?
Take a quick test drive of CharityAuctionToday’s online platform. Create your own online back-to-school backpack donation drive! You can experience a test drive right now to see how easy it is to create your site. In fact, you can create it in less than five minutes (usually three), and there’s no credit card needed—and one more thing. Don’t be afraid you’ll do something wrong—you can’t. Take the test drive and have fun. And remember, we’re here if you have questions about moving forward.
Works Cited:
http://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc
https://nces.ed.gov/
https://unitedwayhandson.org/
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/school-bags-market
https://pro.morningconsult.com/analysis/inflation-spending-anxiety-back-to-school-shopping
https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/backpack-market-103853
http://www.backpacksforkids.net/
https://friendsofchildreninc.org/backpack/
https://www.kinf.org/
https://www.officedepot.com/l/school-supplies/give-back
https://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/about_us/how-we-give.html
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online backpack donation drive and how does it work?
An online backpack drive lets supporters “sponsor a backpack” or a grade-level supply kit from their phones or computers. Donors choose a funding level, you purchase supplies in bulk (or via a wishlist), and backpacks are assembled and delivered to students or partner schools before the first day of class.
Why run the backpack drive online instead of in-person collections?
- Faster to launch: no large sorting events needed.
- Higher consistency: every student gets the same quality kit.
- Wider reach: supporters can give from anywhere with QR links.
- Lower logistics: bulk orders cut down on storage and transport.
How should we structure donation levels for an online drive?
- Backpack only (bag + essentials).
- Grade-level kit (elementary, middle, high).
- Classroom bundle (multiple kits + teacher supplies).
- Open gift (any amount to the general fund).
Add brief impact lines (e.g., “Funds a full kit for one student”).
What items belong in each backpack or grade-level supply kit?
- Elementary: crayons/markers, pencils, glue, folders, notebooks, scissors.
- Middle: binders, dividers, lined paper, pens/highlighters, calculator (basic).
- High: notebooks, folders, geometry set, scientific calculator (when requested), USB drive.
Confirm with schools/teachers to align with current supply lists.
Is it better to buy in bulk or use an online wishlist for supporters to shop?
Bulk buying often stretches dollars further and ensures uniform kits. Wishlists are easy to promote and let donors select specific items. Many drives combine both: raise funds online for core kits and share a wishlist for optional extras.
Can we launch a backpack drive in one week—what’s the checklist?
- Create a mobile-friendly page with goal, deadline, and tiers.
- Enable wallet pay and short form checkout.
- Generate a short link + QR and place them on posters/emails.
- Pre-write 3 messages (launch, mid-drive, final 48 hours).
- Line up a bulk supplier or wishlist and confirm delivery window.
Where should we place QR codes to maximize quick mobile donations?
- School entrances, office counters, event programs, and scoreboard slides.
- Community partners (libraries, rec centers, faith groups).
- Posters with a 7-word prompt: “Scan to sponsor a student’s backpack.”
How should we tell the story while protecting student privacy? (General information)
Use anonymized stories, group photos, and permissioned content. Focus on needs, outcomes, and gratitude rather than identifiable details. This is general information, not legal advice.
How can businesses and employers boost results for an online drive?
- Provide a matching gift hour or sponsor a grade level.
- Share your link with employees and customers.
- Donate in-kind items (backpacks, calculators) to lower kit costs.
What’s the simplest logistics plan for delivery and storage of backpacks?
- Ship bulk supplies directly to a school or central site.
- Schedule a short “packing party” to assemble kits.
- Label by grade/class and store briefly before distribution day.
When should we run the drive and what deadlines matter most?
Plan 3–6 weeks before school starts. Set a clear donation deadline that allows time for purchasing, packing, and delivery. Publish shipping cutoffs if using wishlists.
How do we make backpacks and supplies inclusive for all students? (General information)
- Select durable, neutral designs alongside a few colorful options.
- Offer age-appropriate kits and consider sensory-friendly items.
- Provide materials in key languages for families. General information only.
Can we include teacher or classroom add-ons in the campaign tiers?
Yes—offer a “classroom bundle” that funds tissues, wipes, markers, and extra notebooks. Make it a separate tier so donors can support both student kits and classroom needs.
How should we handle receipts and acknowledgments for online donations? (General information)
Send instant receipts with organization name, date, amount, and a brief impact line. If any goods/services are provided, include fair market value where applicable. This is general information, not tax advice.
What volunteer roles do we need if most of the drive is online?
- Page/tech lead: edits tiers, updates progress, fixes links.
- Procurement lead: places orders and coordinates delivery.
- Packing crew: 1–2 hour shift to assemble and label kits.
- Distribution team: manages pickup or in-class delivery.
Do you have a simple two-week communication plan for the drive?
- Day 1: Launch email + QR posters; short video story.
- Day 7: Mid-drive progress update + match hour promo.
- Final 48 hours: daily countdown + “1 kit away” spotlights.
What are best practices for a smooth backpack distribution day?
- Stagger times by grade and set clear signage.
- Offer a discreet pickup option for families who prefer privacy.
- Have a small “extras” table for late enrollees and replacements.
Which KPIs show the online backpack drive is on track?
- Kits funded vs. goal and daily pace line.
- Average gift and % donors on mobile wallets.
- Match utilization and number of new donors.
What should we do with leftover funds or extra supplies? (General information)
If allowed by your policies, apply surplus to mid-year replenishment or teacher supply closets. Communicate clearly with donors about how any excess will be used. General information, not legal or financial advice.
How do we thank supporters and keep momentum after the drive ends?
- Share results within 48 hours with photos and a short impact story.
- Thank sponsors publicly and deliver promised benefits.
- Invite donors to join monthly giving or volunteer for the next school initiative.
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