How much does it cost to run a Board Game Buddies session?

A $25 donation funds one game session. $50 stocks a game library. $100 trains a volunteer. $200 sponsors a full month of programming.

Can I donate a board game instead of money?

Absolutely. Board Game Buddies accepts used board game donations from anywhere in the U.S. You can shop our Amazon wish list, purchase from a local game store, or ship gently used games directly to us. Games should be complete and in playable condition — contact us at info@boardgamebuddies.org to coordinate.

Where can I donate used board games?

Board Game Buddies accepts used board game donations from anywhere in the U.S. Contact us at info@boardgamebuddies.org or (847) 751-0165 to arrange shipping or a local drop-off. Every donated game goes directly into our programming at recovery programs, veterans groups, hospitals, and youth organizations across Chicagoland.

Donate Board Games | Board Game Buddies — 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

GIVE

♟ Support Our Mission

Every gift
fills a seat.

Your donation helps Board Game Buddies bring laughter, friendship, and meaningful connection to those in need. Every session we run is possible because of generous people like you.

Where It Goes

"100% of donations go directly toward our mission — funding board games, volunteer training, and program expansion."

501(c)(3) Tax ID: 39-3629161

Where to Donate Board Games in Chicago

Board Game Buddies accepts game donations from anywhere in the US.

Looking for a place to donate board games in Chicagoland? Board Game Buddies is the only dedicated board game nonprofit in the Chicago metropolitan area. We accept new and gently used games in complete, playable condition — and every game goes directly to people who need it most across Cook County, Illinois.

We serve adults in substance use recovery, mental health program participants, veterans, hospital patients, and youth across Chicagoland. Your donated game will be played — not stored.

→Purchase from our Amazon wish list and ship directly to us — the easiest option
→Buy from a local game store and mail to us
→Ship games you already own — email info@boardgamebuddies.org before shipping
→Publisher or retailer? Contact us at info@boardgamebuddies.org to arrange a bulk donation

See our recommended games list for what we need most. All donated games are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Your Impact

See what your gift does.

🎲

$25

Funds one game session

Covers supplies and materials for a full volunteer visit.

🃏

$50

Stocks a game library

Adds 2–3 new games to our lending collection for partner organizations.

🤝

$100

Trains a volunteer

Covers onboarding, materials, and first-visit support for a new Buddy.

🌱

$200

Sponsors a program month

Keeps an ongoing partnership running for four weeks of weekly visits.

★ Best Way to Give

Make a Donation

Give us the flexibility
to do the most good.

Monetary donations allow us to purchase exactly the right games, cover program costs, and respond quickly to new opportunities.

$25.00

$50.00

$100.00

$200.00

Custom Amount

Support us by covering the fees we have to pay

3% Cover the Fee

🏛️

Tax-Deductible Donation

Board Game Buddies is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID: 39-3629161). All donations go directly toward our mission. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

Other Ways to Give

Prefer to donate a game?

We love this too. You can shop our curated game list from your favorite local store, use our online wish list, or send us games you already own — from anywhere in the U.S. Either way, your game goes straight into our programming.

🏪

Buy from a Local Game Store

Purchase a game from your favorite local shop and donate it to Board Game Buddies. Supporting a small business and a nonprofit at the same time — that's a win-win.

View Recommended Games →

📦

Shop Our Online Wish List

Short on time? Browse our curated wish list and send a game directly to us. Same great games, maximum convenience.

Shop Our Wish List →

📣

Spread the Word

Follow us, share our story, and tell someone about Board Game Buddies. Awareness is its own kind of donation.

Get in Touch →

📚

Browse Our Library

See the full collection of games we own and can bring to your organization — 250+ games and counting.

View Our Library →

🎲 Have games at home you'd like to donate? We accept used board game donations from anywhere in the U.S. — not just games on our list. As long as they're complete and in playable condition, we'll put them to work. Contact us before sending so we can coordinate. Ship to: 8744 W Bruce Dr, Niles, IL 60714.

Common Questions

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes. Board Game Buddies is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 39-3629161). All financial donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You will receive a receipt for your records.

Where does my money go?

100% of donations go directly toward our mission — purchasing games, supporting volunteers, covering program costs, and expanding our reach to more people in need. We are entirely volunteer-run with no paid staff.

What's the difference between donating money vs. donating a game?

A financial donation gives us the flexibility to buy exactly what's needed most — whether that's a specific game, replacement parts, or supplies. A game donation is equally appreciated and goes directly into our programming. If you're unsure, a financial donation lets us put your gift to immediate use.

Can I donate a board game I already own?

Yes — we accept used board game donations from anywhere in the U.S. Games should be gently used, complete, and in playable condition. They don't need to be on our recommended list. Please reach out before sending so we can coordinate: info@boardgamebuddies.org or (847) 751-0165.

How do I know which games you need?

Our Recommended Games page has a current list of titles we use in our programming — organized by difficulty and setting. That said, we welcome donations beyond this list too. If you have games in good condition, reach out and we'll let you know if they're a fit.

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