| Quick answer: A giving list is a free online list of the specific items a nonprofit needs, supplies, essentials, equipment, that supporters can purchase and donate directly. It works like a universal registry built for organizations: you add items from any store, accept cash gift funds, share one link, and update needs anytime. MyRegistry’s nonprofit giving list is the leading free option, adding branding, website embedding, and a concierge to help you set it up. |
Nonprofits have always relied on in-kind donations, but coordinating them by email and spreadsheet is messy. A giving list solves that by putting your exact needs online, so supporters give what actually helps your cause. The platform most organizations use for this is MyRegistry, and we’ll show how it maps to each step below.
If your organization needs a simpler way to collect the supplies and support it depends on, a free nonprofit giving list from MyRegistry lets you list exactly what you need from any store, accept cash gift funds, and share one link with your supporters. Throughout this guide we’ll point to how a giving list solves each challenge as it comes up.
How a Giving List Works
| Step | With a MyRegistry giving list | Doing it manually |
|---|---|---|
| List your needs | Add items from any store, one place | Email threads & spreadsheets |
| Share | One branded link | Scattered messages |
| Donors give | Buy in a few clicks, ships to you | Coordinate drop-offs |
| Track | Real-time quantities | Manual tallying |
| Flexible gifts | Add a cash gift fund | Cash handled separately |
| See how the giving list replaces the manual scramble — explore MyRegistry for Nonprofits to set yours up free. |
Giving List vs. a Plain Wish List
| Feature | MyRegistry Giving List | Single-store wish list |
|---|---|---|
| Add items from any store | Yes | No — one retailer |
| Cash gift funds | Yes | Rarely |
| Add your logo & message | Yes | No |
| Embed on your website | Yes | Limited |
| Sync other lists | Yes (Amazon, Target, etc.) | No |
| Cost | Free | Free |
A single-store wish list ties you to one retailer’s catalog. A universal giving list like MyRegistry’s lets you request the exact items you need wherever they’re sold, brand the list as your own, and keep cash gifts on the same link.
| Want every feature in that column without the limits? Start a free giving list on MyRegistry , and sync any existing wish list into it. |
Why Nonprofits Use Them
| ✔ Pros — MyRegistry Giving List | ✘ Cons — MyRegistry Giving List |
|---|---|
| • Receive exactly what you need, not random items | • You coordinate receiving/shipping of items |
| • Add items from any store, update anytime | • Donations aren’t tax-deductible cash unless structured so |
| • Accept cash gift funds for flexible needs | • Needs promotion to reach supporters |
| • Brand it with your logo and message | |
| • One link to share across all channels |
| ★ Expert recommendation: Start your giving list with 10–15 concrete, photo-ready needs at a range of price points, add a cash gift fund for flexibility, and brand it with your logo. MyRegistry offers a free concierge consultation to help nonprofits set this up. |
| Not sure where to begin? Book MyRegistry’s free nonprofit consultation and build your list with help. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a giving list really free for nonprofits?
Yes, creating and sharing a nonprofit giving list on MyRegistry is free. Standard payment processing applies to any cash gift contributions.
How is this different from a regular registry?
It’s the same universal-registry technology, configured for organizations, with branding, website embedding, and the ability to list organizational needs rather than personal gifts. MyRegistry built its nonprofit product specifically for this.
Can supporters give cash instead of items?
Yes, MyRegistry lets you add cash gift funds so donors who prefer flexibility can contribute money toward your needs.
The Bottom Line
A giving list turns supporter generosity into the exact items your cause needs, and MyRegistry is the free platform purpose-built to run it, with branding, embedding, and cash funds in one place. Create your organization’s list at MyRegistry for Nonprofits.
