12 Places to Donate Clothes and Make a Difference

Organizing Clothes

Do you have clothes taking up space in your closet? Maybe they don’t fit, or you just don’t wear them anymore. Donating your gently used clothing is an easy and impactful way to give back to your community and help the environment at the same time.

In this guide, we’ll explore where to donate clothes, how to prepare your items, and why your contributions matter more than you might think.

Ready to clear out some space and do some good? Let’s get started!

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Why Donate Clothes?

Donating clothes helps reduce textile waste from fast fashion. Millions of pounds of this waste end up in landfills each year, harming the environment. In 2020, Goodwill discarded 13 million pounds of unusable donations in three states.

Passing on your clean and wearable garments ensures they are reused instead of wasted.

Your donated attire can help local charities like shelters or global groups like Planet Aid. Many organizations use clothing sales to fund services for people in need. Items such as coats, evening dresses, or tuxedos find new homes through thrift shops or consignment stores—helping others while clearing out your closet!

12 Places to Donate Clothes

National and International Organizations

Many large organizations accept clothing donations. These groups work nationwide or even globally, helping people in need.

1. Goodwill

Goodwill is a well-known donation center that helps people by selling second-hand items at affordable prices. Many donate to Goodwill, but not all items are resold. In 2020, around 13 million pounds of donations were thrown out in Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire alone.

Items in poor condition often end up in landfills.

Clean and undamaged clothes have the best chance of being reused or sold there. If your unwanted fashion pieces are wearable—things like tuxedoes or everyday attire—they can help someone find what they need at a lower price while supporting Goodwill’s mission to aid job training programs for communities in need.

2. Salvation Army

The Salvation Army accepts clothing donations to support its programs. These include jobs, rehab services, and aid to homeless individuals. You can drop off clothes at its donation centers or schedule a pickup.

Ensure your items are clean and free of stains or tears before donating.

Your donated clothes might be sold in their thrift stores. The money raised funds community programs like shelters and disaster relief efforts. Locations vary by state, so check with your local branch for specific guidelines.

3. Dress for Success

Donate professional clothing to Dress for Success. This group helps women prepare for job interviews. They accept items like suits, blouses, and skirts. You can also donate haircare tools such as curling irons or straighteners.

Your donation empowers women entering the workforce. These clothes boost their confidence and open doors to new jobs. Make sure your items are clean and in good shape before giving them away!

4. Planet Aid

Planet Aid offers 19,000 bins across the U.S. for your clothing donations. These bright yellow bins make it easy to drop off medium-quality clothes anytime.

They focus on reselling or recycling items in eco-friendly ways, which reduces waste while giving your fabric a second life.

Specialized Donation Programs

Some programs focus on specific groups, such as children or those needing warm clothing. These options can make your donation even more meaningful, helping where it’s truly needed.

5. Big Brother Big Sister Foundation

The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation accepts clothes, shoes, and small household items. The proceeds from donations support youth mentorship programs. You can donate gently used or new items, such as professional attire, to help their cause.

If you have large amounts, you can schedule a free pickup through their website. This program makes it easy and convenient for you to give back to the community. Your donations directly impact children in need while keeping usable clothes out of landfills.

6. One Warm Coat

One Warm Coat helps people in need by collecting and giving away clean, gently used coats. They focus on providing warm clothes to children, adults, and families who need them.

Their mission is simple: give warmth. You can also donate professional clothing, as they accept items for job seekers or interview attendees.

Check their website for a drop-off location near you or create your coat drive. It’s free and easy! This group ensures donations are reused locally whenever possible, helping communities while reducing waste in the fashion industry.

Community-Focused Options

Your local community is a whole of places that need clothing donations. These spots often help neighbors directly, making your gifts count close to home.

7. Local Shelters and Community Centers

Local shelters need clothing donations all year. Many accept shirts, pants, coats, and shoes for adults and kids. Homeless shelters often also take frozen or canned food items to support families in crisis.

Community centers may offer free clothing drives for people in need. They might also use donated clothes for fundraisers to support programs like youth activities or senior classes. Before donating, check with the center to see its current needs.

8. Schools and Youth Programs

Schools often hold clothing drives for families in need. You can donate items like coats, shoes, or kids’ clothes during these events. They may also collect professional attire for students preparing for job interviews.

Donations of clean suits or dresses benefit youth programs, helping young people look their best in critical moments. Before donating, always check with the program to see what they accept.

9. Churches and Religious Organizations

Many churches accept clothing donations to help those in need. They often support local families or send aid to international communities through outreach programs.

Religious groups may also collect other items, such as appliances or shoes. Some even host donation drives, making it easy to give back. Check your nearby church or use sites like Facebook Marketplace for specific needs.

Alternative Donation Options

There are creative ways to give your clothes a new home. Explore options that fit your lifestyle and make donating simple.

10. Clothing Donation Bins

Clothing donation bins make giving easy. Planet Aid, for example, has 19,000 bins across the U.S. These bright yellow boxes accept unwanted clothes and shoes anytime. To avoid mistakes, check the guidelines before using a bin.

Bins often sit in parking lots or near stores. They save time if you’re busy but still want to help others. Some groups, like Goodwill or Savers, also use them to turn your items into community aid or affordable finds.

11. Online Donation Platforms

Sell or donate clothes online through OfferUp, Poshmark, or ThredUp. These sites let you quickly pass items on to others and sometimes earn money. Poshmark charges a 20% fee for sales over $15 and a flat $3 fee for anything under that amount.

ThredUp takes a commission ranging from 3%-15% for items under $20 but gives up to 80% on high-end pieces above $200.

You can also use PayPal to receive payments while selling more valuable clothes instead of just donating them. Many prefer this direct option as it avoids extra-step processes with consignment shops.

Whether donating or earning through these platforms, your pre-loved clothing finds a new life!

12. Clothing Swap Events

Clothing swap events let you trade clothes with others in your community. You bring items you no longer need and leave with new-to-you pieces, all for free. This keeps clothes out of landfills and helps refresh your wardrobe without spending money.

These swaps are eco-friendly and fun. They reduce waste while giving you a chance to meet people nearby. Preparing is simple—clean your closet, wash items, and join the event!

Tips for Preparing Clothes for Donation

Make sure your clothes are clean and ready to be reused—they’ll help someone in need!

Research Organizations

Check each organization’s donation guidelines. Goodwill and the Salvation Army have specific rules about what clothes they accept. For example, 70% of items donated during drives might go unused if they don’t meet requirements.

Look into their causes, too. Some groups focus on job training or helping women re-enter the workforce, like Dress for Success. Others support environmental goals such as Planet Aid.

This helps ensure your donations align with your values.

Ensure Clothes are Clean and Undamaged

Wash all clothes before donating. Stains or odors can make items unusable for others. Damaged clothing, like ripped shirts or torn pants, should go to textile recycling programs instead.

Scrutinize each item. No holes, missing buttons, or broken zippers should remain. Many organizations won’t accept ruined clothes—they need pieces ready for use.

Sort Items

Separate your donations by type. Group professional attire, casual wear, and children’s clothing into different piles. This will help organizations process items faster.

Make sure Matching pieces, such as suits or pajama sets, stay together. To keep things neat, avoid mixing shoes with clothes. Sorting saves time for everyone involved!

Package Clothes Properly

Use strong bags or boxes to hold the clothes. This keeps them safe during transport and avoids damage.

Label each package clearly with details like size, gender, or type of clothing. It helps organizations sort items faster and more efficiently.

What Happens to Donated Clothes?

Donated clothes are sorted, and organizations decide whether items are reusable. Good pieces may be stocked in thrift stores like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Some are sold online to platforms with flat-fee options, like The RealReal.

Many clothes travel abroad. About 45% of donated garments end up in secondhand markets across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Sadly, up to 25% could land in dumps due to poor conditions or oversupply.

Supporting better laws can help improve recycling and reuse rates worldwide!

When and How to Donate Clothes

Plan your donations carefully. Seasonal needs matter—give coats in winter and lighter clothes in summer. Many shelters also need shoes. If you donate footwear, search for a “shoe recycling program” near you.

Always check donation guidelines first. Clean, undamaged items are best—70% of drive collections can’t be used because they don’t meet standards. Fold or bag clothes neatly to make it easier for organizations to sort them later.

The Bigger Picture: How Your Donations Make a Difference

Your clothing donations help reduce waste. Over 45% of garments from places like Trans-Americas reach secondhand markets. These clothes gain a second life instead of filling landfills.

You also support vital organizations. Groups like Dress for Success empower people with work-appropriate outfits. Planet Aid promotes recycling and helps communities worldwide. Every piece you donate creates change—both locally and globally.

The Bottom Line

Giving away clothes can make a big difference. You help people in need while keeping items out of landfills. Many easy options are available, from national groups to local centers.

Each choice lets you support communities in different ways. Clean and sort your clothes first for the best use. Start today—your small act can create lasting change!

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