How to Become a Recipient

L.A. SHARES is a 21st century web-based philanthropy that takes donations of new and gently used goods from local businesses and individuals and redistributes them FREE-OF-CHARGE to schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the city of Los Angeles.

Thanks to the generosity of both the local business community and civic-minded individuals, L.A. SHARES has redistributed more than $180 million worth of goods and materials to over 4,000+ local schools and nonprofit organizations absolutely FREE-OF-CHARGE.

To participate in the L.A. SHARES program, please read the following info to find out if you qualify before completing the registration.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN L.A. SHARES?

Nonprofit organizations and schools (both public and private) that meet the following requirements are eligible to participate in L.A. SHARES.

  • NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
    Eligibility Requirements
    Your nonprofit organization must:
    • Show proof of tax exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)3
    • Not be classified as a religious organization or private foundation
    • Be headquartered in the City of Los Angeles
    • Operate programs that directly serve and benefit City of Los Angeles residents
    • Own or lease the facility where you operate your program(s)
    • Not operate as a home-based organization
    • Be able to certify that your nonprofit does not discriminate in the hiring of staff or provision of services on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability
    • Provide the URL of an active website that describes your organization's mission and provides a way for the general public to contact your organization for further information
    • Maintain a current email address which is specifically tied to your organization for the registered representative of your organization (e.g., Jo@OrganizationName.org)
    Only one registration per nonprofit is allowed.
    We do not accept post office box addresses.
    We do not accept organizations that operate under the auspices of a fiscal sponsor.
    Please note that we are unable to make exceptions to these requirements.
  • ELEMENTARY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOLS (both public and nonprofit independent) Eligibility Requirements Your school must:
    • Be either an elementary school, a middle school, a high school or any combination thereof
    • Be licensed and accredited to operate in the City of Los Angeles
    • Be located in the City of Los Angeles
    • Be able to certify that your school does not discriminate in the hiring of staff or provision of services on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability
    • Provide the URL of an active website that provides a way for the general public to contact your school for further information
    • Maintain a current email address which is specifically tied to your school for the registered representative of your school (e.g.Jo@SchoolName.edu)
    Only one registration per school is allowed.
    Please note that we are unable to make exceptions to these requirements.

HOW DOES L.A. SHARES AWARD DONATIONS?

Lotteries

L.A. SHARES' primary method of awarding donations is through online lotteries. Once your nonprofit or school is registered with L.A. SHARES, you can expect to receive daily email notifications of available donated items.

Each lottery email will include a photograph and detailed description of the item offered with the date and time that the lottery will close.

If you respond to the lottery email by the noted deadline indicating an interest in the lottery item, your organization/school's name will be included in the lottery drawing.

If your organization/school is the "winner" of any lottery, L.A. SHARES will contact you, via email, to arrange for a pick-up of your item(s). The "winning" organization(s) then contacts the donor directly to arrange pick up their item(s).

Warehouse "Shopping" Appointments

As a complement to our online lotteries, L.A. SHARES hosts invitation only "shopping" appointments at its Griffith Park Reuse Center for members of the L.A. SHARES program.

"Shopping" appointments at our Griffith Park Reuse Center allow selected groups the opportunity to examine firsthand our extensive inventory of hundreds of different items and take what they would like on the spot, FREE-OF-CHARGE.

Commonly available items include calculators, paper, pens, desk top accessories, staplers, tape, stationery supplies, books, envelopes, labels, file folders, scissors, sheet protectors, binders, bags, cleaning supplies, light bulbs, paperclips, glue sticks, and personal care products, plus many more valuable supplies.

Recipient Responsibilities

As a member of the L.A. SHARES program, and in exchange for all that L.A. SHARES will offer your organization or school, we require compliance with these simple participation guidelines:

Arrange pick-up in a timely manner

Lottery winners are provided with the name and contact information (telephone and email) of the company or individual who has donated the item.

It is your responsibility to immediately contact the donor and arrange to pick up the items in a timely manner.

Be on time and follow through

Failure to make a scheduled pick-up will result in disqualification of your organization/school from the L.A. SHARES program.

Let L.A. SHARES know your pick-up arrangements

Once we are notified, L.A. SHARES will then provide you with the necessary information in order for you to write your Thank You Letter(s).

Send a Thank You Letter to the Donor

You are required to send the donor a Thank You letter within 10 days of your pick-up letting the donor know how this item now benefits your organization or school.

Send a Copy of your Thank You Letter to L.A. SHARES

You must send a copy of your Thank You Letter to L.A. SHARES within 10 days of your pick-up. If we do not receive this, your organization will be disqualified from participating in the L.A. SHARES program.

Ready To Register?

Register today by clicking on either the "Nonprofit" or "School" button below to fill out your organizational profile, complete your Wish List, and upload proof of your nonprofit status or school affiliation.

Welcome to the L.A. SHARES family!

Register