How to Run a Successful School Supplies Drive

How to Run a Successful School Supplies Drive

Make a difference with school supplies

You Can Hold a School Supply Drive:

We invite any individual, club, school, or business to hold a school supply drive.   There is no minimum or maximum donation; we are happy to accept your donation and greatly appreciate your efforts to make a difference for African children.  For more general details on donating school supplies, click here 

Please keep in mind, as you are considering coordinating a school supply drive, that part of your drive should include raising funds for shipping.

Follow the steps below to create your successful school supply drive-

 Step 1 - Choose dates and drop-off location(s) Have a large box to collect school supplies.  Children with school supplies

 Step 2 - Fill out our online drive registration form

 Step 3 - Invite all your contacts via email, phone, social media, or in-person to make donations.  Spread the word within your school/community.

Create/print a flyer to post on your social media and to post at local businesses/schools inviting everyone to donate.

  *If you are trying to collect specific items (such as pencils and erasers) make sure you are clear and encourage people to donate money also to help with shipping costs.

 Step 4- Take pictures (send us a few at hello@developafrica.org). We would like to add information and pictures about your group and activity to our website and newsletter.  Advertise and promote the book/school supplies/pencil drive if you would like. Should you have any newspaper coverage or create any posters, we would like to receive a copy. 

 Step 5- Once you collect your supplies, you must create a list of donations…such as approximately 150 new and gently used pencils,  25 notebooks, 10 boxes of crayons, and approximately 50 pens.  Please email hello@developafrica.org with the list of donations and details on shipping (ex: mailed 5 boxes via UPS on 8/17).  Please include a contact name and email (or mailing address) with the list of donation details in each box. 

 Feel free to email us at hello@developafrica.org at any point with any questions or concerns. 

2026 Goals

This year, in celebration of Develop Africa’s 20th Anniversary, we are launching a special Backpacks for Bright Futures campaign with a meaningful goal:

200 students supported in honor of 20 years of impact.Marina with her school supplies

Through this initiative, we will provide students with essential school supplies and tuition support so they can start the school year ready to learn, grow, and succeed.

Needed School Supplies

  • Preschool Backpacks, Elementary backpacks, High School backpacks
  • Notebooks/Exercise books (preferably lined, 200 pages+)
  • Pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and pencil pouches
  • Calculators, geometry sets, and rulers
  • Coloring books & crayons
  • Solar lights for studying
  • Computers, tablets, eReaders, laptops
  • Cell phones
  • Chalk & Erasers for Chalkboards

Due to limited resources, we are no longer able to accept supplies outside of the list above.  Please email hello@developafrica.org with any questions

Students with new school supplies

Information You Need to Note

1.  Your drive/activity will be carried on at your own risk.  As Develop Africa will not be there physically to participate in or monitor the situation, we cannot be held liable for any occurrences.  Please proceed only at your own risk.

2. We would be very grateful if you could make a $60 donation per box to cover the cost of shipping your supplies to Africa.  We receive many more supplies than we can ship out. Your donation towards shipping is essential.  Donations towards shipping can be sent in a check, money order, or made online

3. Consider setting up an online fundraising page to help cover shipping costs to our location in Tennessee, USA and to help cover shipping costs to get your school supply donations to Africa.  Don't forget to ask your contacts for donations toward shipping. You could also ask a local business or school to help make a monetary donation for shipping.   “Tips on Online Fundraising” 

Donate now

Shipping Address / School Supplies Drop Off Location: 

Develop Africa

1906 Knob Creek Road, Suite 3

Johnson City, TN 37604, USA

Phone: 423-282-0006

Email: hello@developafrica.org

We love it when our donors share photos with us!   Have you collected and donated school supplies recently? 

Did you take photos that we have your permission to share on social media and the website?     

If yes, please email them to hello@DevelopAfrica.org

 Examples of School Supply Drives-  

Project Sail- http://www.pencilproject.org/project-sail-300-pounds-books-and-school-supplies-collected

Kennedy- http://www.pencilproject.org/kennedy-has-dream-and-sends-10-boxes-school-supplies

The Pencil Project - http://www.pencilproject.org/

 

 

  • Julianna collected 5 boxes of school supplies
    Julianna collected 5 boxes of school supplies
  • Weathersfield Elementary K-Kids collected 2780 pencils
    Weathersfield Elementary K-Kids collected 2780 pencils
  • Srihan was inspired to collect school supplies by seeing children in need
    Srihan was inspired to collect school supplies by seeing children in need
  • The University of Hartford and the Women's Advancement Initiative collected 8 boxes of school supplies
    The University of Hartford and the Women's Advancement Initiative collected 8 boxes of school supplies
  • Sophia, Long Island, NY, student, collected school supplies
    Sophia, Long Island, NY, student, collected school supplies
  • Siblings, Chloe & Jack, supplies drive at school / neighborhood = 15 boxes
    Siblings, Chloe & Jack, supplies drive at school / neighborhood = 15 boxes
  • 11th grader, Julianna Awad, from Our Lady Queen of Angels School in CA donated 7 boxes of school supplies.
    11th grader, Julianna Awad, from Our Lady Queen of Angels School in CA donated 7 boxes of school supplies.
  • Nola and her sister, Fallon,did a school supply collection within their homeroom classes
    Nola and her sister, Fallon,did a school supply collection within their homeroom classes
  • Portneuf Valley Rotaract Club & Interact Club, Century High School Interact Club collected over 5,000 pens and other supplies
    Portneuf Valley Rotaract Club & Interact Club, Century High School Interact Club collected over 5,000 pens and other supplies
  • East Islip High School Students, Long Island, New York have done 7 pencil drives - over 7 years. one each year - as part of a social studies Africa Project_outreach activity
    East Islip High School Students, Long Island, New York have done 7 pencil drives - over 7 years. one each year - as part of a social studies Africa Project_outreach activity
  • The Kiwanis K-Kids from Weathersfield Elementary in Thousand Oaks, CA collected and donated 2001 pencils
    The Kiwanis K-Kids from Weathersfield Elementary in Thousand Oaks, CA collected and donated 2001 pencils
  • Aarush & Arul collected school supplies for a school project
    Aarush & Arul collected school supplies for a school project
  • Erase & Write held a school supply drive
    Erase & Write held a school supply drive
  • Douglas held a school supply drive for his Eagle Scout project
    Douglas held a school supply drive for his Eagle Scout project
  • Mission Possible collected school supplies, kindles, and solar lights
    Mission Possible collected school supplies, kindles, and solar lights
  • Thomas collected school supplies instead of presents for his birthday
    Thomas collected school supplies instead of presents for his birthday
  • Zach held a school supply drive for his Eagle Scout Project
    Zach held a school supply drive for his Eagle Scout Project

Make a Difference Today: Donate to the Year of the Pencil Campaign

On November 20th, this movement placed over 100,000 pencils into the hands 

of children across Sierra Leone in 20 schools.

Each pencil tells a story — of hope, opportunity, and possibility. 

Education is more than lessons — it’s liberation.

Every $25 helps children write their dreams. 

👉 Help provide pencils by donating today!