It's that time again. Time for you to clean out your closet!

And then what?

Where do you take the clothes that no longer fit you or are no longer in fashion?

As someone passionate about sustainability, sending them to a landfill is not an option. This is why you're thinking of donating.

But where do you donate clothes in the USA?

We answer this question here. In today's post, we will discuss where you can donate clothes in the United States of America.

Let's get right into it.

Where to Donate Clothes

#1. Salvation Army

Salvation Army is the perfect place to donate clothes. This international charity organization will accept anything from clothing, household goods, and furniture.

Your donations help to stock the extensive network of Salvation Army Thrift stores, which sell them and use proceeds to fund the different charity programs that the Salvation Army runs.

You can find Salvation Army stores in most major cities across the United States of America and Walmart stores nationwide.

#2. American Red cross

Another great place to donate clothes is the American Red Cross.

The organization accepts clothing, household goods, and furniture as donations, then, with the help of GreenDrop, resells them to thrift stores across the USA.

Proceed from the donations are used to fund the different Red Cross initiatives across the US and internationally.

Some of these initiatives include

• Providing emergency response services in disasters where it distributes relief items like food, water, blankets.
• Providing mental health counselling;
• Supplying temporary workplace equipment to businesses that have been forced to shut down due to storm damage;
• Distributing financial aid grants on behalf of federal agencies after major national emergencies

You can drop off donations at any of the GreenDrop donation centres or schedule a home pick-up.

#3. Goodwill

Goodwill is one of America's most loved thrift stores. Due to this fact, it has also become a great place to donate clothes.

These clothes donations are later sold, and revenue used to fund job training programs, placement services, and community-based programs.

Clothes that can't be sold are forwarded to recycling organizations.

What to donate at Goodwill:

• Clothing (both men and women)
• Shoes of any type, size, or style.
• Purses/handbags of all types in good condition with no rips.
• New and unopened cosmetics, including lipstick, eye shadow, etc.,

Clothes must be clean before they can be donated!

You can drop off your donations at any of their local stores and donation centers.

#4. Planet Aid

Of all the organizations on this list, Planet Aid is the most unique.

With a mission to make sure that no textiles end up in landfills, this non-governmental organization collects all types of unwanted clothes, shoes, and textiles from people around the world and sells them in developing countries.

And here's the best part!

They accept clothes with stains, holes, or tears.

However, the clothes must be clean before they can be donated!

Thanks to your donations, the charity is able to provide sustainable employment opportunities to vulnerable populations through their collection centers, where items are sorted and then sold or recycled.

You can donate clothes by dropping them in one of their 19000 yellow bins located countrywide or through their clothing drives.

#5. Vietnam Veterans of America

Would you like to show your appreciation to Veterans for their service?

Donating to the Vietnam Veterans of America is one way to do this. This charity organization provides clothing for those who have served our country and families with children under the age of 18.

The Vietnam Veterans of America accepts new and gently used donations that are clean with no stains or tears. They also accept household items.

You can also check their website to find out other items that they accept.

Donations are then given directly to homeless and low-income veterans. They may also sell the clothes to help fund their veteran programs.

Donations should be dropped off at any of their drop-off locations. You can also schedule a home pick-up through their website.

All clothes donated are tax-deductible!

#6. Dress for Success

Dress for Success is an international non-profit organization that provides professional clothing to women transitioning from welfare and homelessness for interviews, job training, work, or school.

This charity organization accepts new and gently used donations of business attire in sizes 0–24 with a current fashion look.

They also accept accessories such as purses and shoes within these same size ranges.

In addition to the clothes, they provide their clients interview coaching, financial literacy education courses, mentoring programs, and employment services after graduation from their programs.

You can drop off your donations at any affiliate location near you.

#7. Career Gear

What Dress for Success does for women, Career Gear does for men.

This New York-based nationwide non-profit provides men with interview clothes, a haircut, and grooming products.

Like Dress for Success, Career Gear also helps its clients find employment by providing job training and resume writing and interviewing techniques.

Career Gear accepts donations of new or gently used suits in sizes 40-46R (or 44L), shirts in size 18/20, ties, hats, and shoes up to size 12.

Clothes should be business attire only; no jeans or t-shirts will be accepted at any time.

#8. Big Brother Big Sister Foundation

If you're in the greater Boston area and are looking for a place to donate clothes, the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation is a great option.

Located in Boston, this charity organization uses proceeds from selling clothing and household donations to fund its mentoring programs.

You can drop off any slightly used clothing that's in good condition at any of their seven drop-off stations in Massachusetts. If you're far from the drop-off stations, you can also organize a home pick-up.

#9. Free the Girl

How would you like to help a human trafficking survivor become economically independent?

Free the Girl allows you to do this.

On a mission to provide economic empowerment to girls who've been forced into sexual slavery, this NGO allows you to donate old bras, which are then given to these survivors to sell in second-hand markets in their countries.

They also provide these girls jobs once they have finished their education as well as help them find safe homes after law enforcement agencies rescue them.

Please note that you can only donate five bras or less at a time. If you have more than five bras, you can ship them to their headquarters in Indiana.

 

#10. Becca's Closet

How would you like to put a smile on a disadvantaged teen?

Becca's Closet allows you to do just that. Founded by Becca Schofield, this non-profit organization will enable you to donate your old prom dresses to a girl who can't afford one.

Since it started operations in 2008, the organization has donated over forty thousand dresses to girls who needed them.

If you enjoyed your prom, why not make someone else's prom night special.

You can drop off your prom dress at any of their chapters located across the country. The only requirement for donated dresses is that they should be less than five years old.

#11. One Warm Coat

Do you have winter jackets that you never wear? Why not donate them to One Warm Coat.

By doing so, you'll have helped a needy person keep warm during the fall or winter.

Founded in 1992, One Warm Coat is an American-based non-profit organization that provides free coats for people in need.

You can donate new or gently worn jackets and coats, which are later donated to homeless people and those who can't afford quality winter coats.

If you're looking for a worthy cause to donate to, this is one.

#12. ThredUP

Of all the organizations on this list, this is the newest.

Founded in 2021, ThredUp is an online thrift store that allows you to buy or sell second-hand clothes.

However, rather than a payout, the organization makes a $5 donation to the charity of your choice.

And here's the best part!

Donating is extremely easy. All you need to do is fill up your donation kit, then mail it to them. ThredUP will do the rest.

#13. Soles4Souls

If you have shoes that you no longer wear, Soles4Souls is the perfect place for you to donate.

The organization accepts all types of shoes, including running shoes and high-heels. Basically, any shoe that is in good condition will be accepted by the group.

Soles4Souls doesn't just accept clothes donations, though; you can donate new or gently used bras to them too!

The best part?

All proceeds go towards helping those in need around the world get footwear they desperately need. This includes people living on sidewalks and children without a proper home where their feet grow up exposed to elements like cold floors.

Other Places you Can Donate Clothes

These aren’t the only organizations where you can donate clothes.

If you feel like making cloth donations locally, you can decide to take them to either your local church or place of worship.

You can also donate to community outreach centers and homeless shelters.

If you have children's clothes that you’d like to donate, school clothing drives are the way to go.

Considerations to Make Before Donating Clothes

There are a few considerations to make before donating clothes.

One of the first considerations is to make sure that the clothes you donate are clean and of good quality. Don't give away something dirty or worn out.

Charity organizations are not dumping grounds for worn-out clothing.

Before donating, you should also remember that we are in the middle of a pandemic. Be sure to call your charity of choice before donating.

Some charities have temporarily stopped accepting donations due to the pandemic. Others have stopped home pick-ups, while others have slowed down on donations.

So before making any donations, make sure you contact them and inquire about their donation requirements.

Any Further Questions?

There you go.

A list of 13 places where you can donate clothes and shoes in the USA. I hope this post helped to enlighten you on where to donate clothes in the USA.

If you know of any other place where our audience can donate clothes, please tell us in the comment section.

If you have any questions or comments regarding where to donate clothes in the USA, please leave them in the comment section below.

And if you're looking to add more clothes to your closet after donating, please check out our online store here.

Until then, happy donating.

Upwards and Onwards with Northbound Gear.