Donations and Outreach

Donations Program

At The Merc Co+op, we are deeply committed to our communities and supporting the many organizations that make Lawrence and Kansas City great places to live. Each year we receive hundreds of requests for donations. Due to that volume, we require all applicants to fill out a Donation Request Form.

GUIDELINES

Requests may be made using the online Donation Request Form below. If there is a reason you cannot fill out this digital form, please contact us for an alternative form.
All completed request forms must be received at least two weeks prior to the need or event.
We will carefully consider your request and do the best we can to support your organization.
Please allow up to 7 business days for the co-op to respond to your request.

GIVING PRIORITIES

Preference will be given to local organizations that have not received donations from the co-op within the current fiscal year (July 1–June 30).
Preference will be given to non-profits rather than events fundraising for a non-profit.
The co-op is not in a position to assist individuals nor crowdfunding initiatives. Rather, we support the organizations established to help individuals in need.
Organizations who are chosen to be Change for our Community partners are not eligible for additional donations or sponsorships in the calendar year in which they are chosen.
The Merc Co+op will not support organizations that permit the exclusion of any group based on their race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or lifestyle.
Decisions on fulfilling donation requests are based on factors such as the group’s alignment with The Merc Co+op’s mission, the need, the number of people that would benefit from the donation and the funds available in our budget.

Donation Request Form

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

(###)

###

####

Organization Name

How are you involved with this organization?

Organization Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Is the organization a 501(c)3?

Organization Phone

(###)

###

####

Organization Website

http://

Mission Statement or Purpose of Organization

Event Information

Name of Event

Date of Event

We ask that you submit your request at least two weeks prior to the event.

MM

DD

YYYY

Address of Event

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Event or Organization Website

http://

Anticipated Number of Attendees

Store Location

What are you requesting from The Merc Co+op? Please be as specific as possible.

As a small business, we aim to help as many organizations as possible. In an effort to efficiently provide support for as many recipients as possible, donations of gift cards or cases of product are most common. Please note donations of deli food, cash, or gift baskets are rare.

Please give an explanation of the event and who it benefits.

How will The Merc Co+op be acknowledged?

Outreach & Education

The Merc Co+op achieves our ends in part through our Education and Outreach efforts. We offer affordable educational experiences that promote fresh, local, sustainable and wholesome foods and food systems, as well as health and wellness, including

Hosting store tours and cooking classes,
Connecting community organizations with Co+op Class Presenters for personalized programming,
Participating in health fairs, community and business development events, and
Donating to local organizations

If you or your organization are interested in working with us or one of our presenters, please complete and submit the form at the button below, and our staff will be in touch!

Donations + Outreach Form

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

(###)

###

####

Organization (if applicable)

Anticipated Number of Attendees

Age range of participants

Health or Wellness Fair

Please provide a description of your event.

Store Tours or Cooking Class Requests

The co-op hosts free store tours for non-profits and schools, which take 30 – 45 minutes. For a more customized cooking class experience, we will connect you with one of our skilled class presenters who will create a presentation that's right for you. Classes sponsored by the co-op vary in price by type of presentation, number of attendees, and presenter.

Store tour and Co+op Explorers fruit & veggie sampling (ages 5 – 11)

Store Tour and Exploring Local Foods (ages 10 – 14)

Store Tour, the cooperative model, and working at The Merc Co+op

Co+op sponsored cooking classes

Date of Event

If you are requesting an in-store event, such as a class or store tour, please give a preferred date. We will work with you to find a date that fits into our existing class schedule.

MM

DD

YYYY

Time of Event (eg. 2 pm – 4 pm) (include set-up and break-down time if applicable)

Location of Program/Event

Is this event at your location, or are you interested in coming to the co-op?

Additional Information (if needed)

Dietary Restrictions, if applicable

We can offer vegetarian, vegan or gluten free samples upon request. We use safe food handling procedures. Only packaged products with allergen-free claims should be considered safe for extreme food-related allergies. All equipment in our kitchen and deli is shared. Common allergens are used daily. Our bulk aisles feature some products that contain allergens. We cannot guarantee that cross-contamination can be completely avoided, and so those with serious food allergies should proceed with caution.

How are you promoting your event, if applicable?

Partners

The Merc Co+op partners with a variety of businesses and organizations. Through contributions, outreach and presence, we support their work to sustain, nourish, and empower our regional communities.

Partners In the Community

Change for our Community

Change for our Community gives shoppers the opportunity to donate their spare change to local organizations every time they shop. Each month, a different organization is featured as the recipient, and 100% of all donations collected go to that specific organization. In fiscal year 2022, we—as a co-op community—raised $78,617. Since the program began in January 2014, we have raised $659,736.

Learn more about Change for our Community