A Nonprofit Guide to Amazon Wish Lists

Does your nonprofit request or accept donated goods? Whether your organization is a homeless shelter in need of hygiene products, an animal shelter seeking treats and toys, or a family support center collecting diapers and baby wipes, managing in-kind donations can quickly become time-consuming. Updating lists, coordinating drop-off times and locations, and tracking inventory, can drain valuable staff time, especially during peak seasons like the holidays. 

Yet, providing opportunities to donate goods is a powerful way to engage donors beyond financial giving. It allows donors to support your organization in a more tangible way, which many donors enjoy. Plus, your organization benefits by receiving items that help your organization serve its clients and fulfill its mission. 

Luckily, there is an easy way to streamline the process to make it more efficient for your organization and the donor. It takes the shape of an Amazon Wish List. An Amazon Wish List allows you to create a list of needed items that donors can view, purchase, and ship directly to you. It is convenient for donors and simplifies donation logistics by reducing administrative work and drop-offs. The benefits increase when you use the proper settings to establish desired quantities for each item and allow items to be removed once purchased, minimizing the need for staff to constantly update the list. 

Amazon isn’t the only company offering solutions like this one. Companies like Chewy allow animal shelters to create lists, and there are also software platforms specifically for nonprofits who need items from multiple retailers. 

Interested in creating an Amazon Wish List, but need to know how? Here are instructions: 

Step 1: Create or Login to Your Organization’s Amazon Account 

• Go to www.amazon.com and login. 

• If your organization does not yet have an Amazon account, one will need to be created. Make sure to use a general email address and avoid using a personal account. 

Step 2: Create a Wish List 

• Hover over “Account & Lists” in the top right corner. 

• Under “Your Lists,” click “Create a List.” A dialogue box will then open. 

• In the dialogue box, name your list (e.g., “[Organization Name] Wish List) and click “Create.” 

Step 3: Customize List Settings

• Click the three dots next to your list name and select “Manage List.” 

• Fill in the following details: 
  • Confirm the name of the list. 
  • Change the privacy setting to “Public,” so anyone with a link can access the list. 
  • Share details about what the list supports under “Description.” 
  • Select or create a shipping address for your organization. 
    • Tip: If you do not want to display your physical address publicly, check the box for “Hide address”. Donors will still be allowed to ship items directly to you. 
  • Ensure “Keep purchased items on this list” is unchecked if you would like items to be removed from the cart once they are purchased. 

• Click “Save Changes.” 

Step 4: Add Items to Your Wish List

• Browse for needed items. Once located, click “Add to List” on the product page and select your nonprofit wish list. 

• After you add your desired items to the list, you’ll want to let donors know what items you need most and how much you need of each item. View your wish list and select “Add a note” under the product to fill in the following: 
  • Select the appropriate priority. If an item is urgently needed, select “Highest” priority. If an item would be categorized as nice to have, select “Lowest.” 
  • Under “Needs” put the quantity of the item you need. This helps reduce being sent too many of one item.  

Step 5: Share Your Wish List

• Copy the view only wish list link by clicking “Share” on your list page. 

• Post the link on: 
  • Your website’s donation page 
  • Social media platforms 
  • Email newsletters 

Step 6: Let the Donations Roll In 

When set up properly, your Amazon Wish List will do the bulk of the work for you. However, some routine maintenance will be required.  

• Add seasonal or campaign-specific items when the time comes. 

• Periodically review and remove any outdated products. 
• Also, don’t forget about donor acknowledgments!