Material Donation Guidelines

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Donating surplus materials to RAFT is easy. It can have immediate benefit on the quality of education in local schools. Your business can save on disposal and recycling costs and divert "reusable" materials from landfills. Your donation is tax deductible as allowed by law.

RAFT accepts a wide range of materials, here are some examples:

  • Old inventory
  • Returned products and overstock
  • Manufacturing overruns
  • Production end pieces, punch-outs & rejects
  • Outdated promotional items
  • Office supplies of all types (new or used)
  • Arts & crafts materials, including matte board & foam board
  • Tubes, containers, lids & caps
  • Fabric, foam & textiles
  • Manufacturing by-products such as plexiglass, rubber & vinyl
  • Wire and magnets
  • CDs, CD cases & CD spindles
  • Current computer equipment and peripherals
  • Medical and lab supplies
  • Promotional items and gifts (i.e. balloons, buttons, t-shirts, mugs, key rings, water bottles, etc.)

We cannot accept the following:

  • Large furniture items such as desks or partitions
  • Household items, such as clothes or appliances
  • Technology donations from walk-in donors
  • CRT monitors
  • Containers that once held food, vitamins, or medications
  • Containers that once held soap, bleach, or petroleum products
  • Sharp items, such as needles or metal/glass fragments
  • Dirty, hazardous, or contaminated items
  • Binders over 2 1/2 (too big for backpacks)
  • Packaging supplies (i.e. peanuts or packing foam)
  • Styrofoam

RAFT is always looking for new items to create learning activities. Before you head to the recycling center or throw things into the dumpster, we encourage you to consider contacting us to find out if your surplus materials could be useful for teachers!

RAFT offers Bay Area businesses FREE pick up of donated materials of one pallet or more. Submit a Donation Pickup Request online

Donation Pickup Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Donation Drop off hours:

San Jose RAFT
1355 Ridder Park Drive   (Directions)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 10:30am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 10:30am - 6:30pm and
Saturday: 9:30am - 3:30pm

Sunnyvale RAFT
1160 Kern Avenue   (Directions)
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am - 12:30pm & 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Friday: 9:00am - 12:30pm & 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Please call RAFT at (408) 451-1420 or email

All donations to RAFT are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

The RAFT Cycle