Many vending route operators donate a portion of their profits to charities in order to make it easier to secure locations and encourage location owners to allow them in. It’s a twist on commissions vending, where the route operator pays the location owner a percentage of sales each month.

If you choose to do “charity vending,” you first need to find a charity you’d like to support. Simply call to places you’d be interested in helping out and ask if they have programs for vendors to donate money, and if they have stickers available to place on the machines. It’s always going to be easier to place a machine if it’s a local charity, so that’s something to consider. Also, don’t assume a charity will allow vendors to use their name on their machines. Some don’t, due to unscrupulous vendors in the past or liability issues. That’s why it’s important to call before you use their name on anything!

It’s also important to make it clear to the location owner that you are an independent (for-profit) business and that you just give a portion of your profits to x charity each month. Don’t be tempted to mislead them and say you’re part of the charity.

Some business owners will be curious to know how much you donate each month. A good percentage is 10-15%, which you can tell them, but let them know that varies each month depending on how all of your machines do.

No matter what, please don’t mislead either the charity or the location owner. It’s okay not to share everything, but if they ask, please be upfront and honest. There have been many dishonest people lying about their affiliation or donation amounts who ruin the experience for everyone else, so please don’t join them!

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