Junior Rasmussen
Donating a wedding dress is a great way to give it a second life and free up space in your closet. Many brides struggle to afford their dream wedding, and donating your dress can help someone else experience the same joy you felt on your wedding day. There are several charities and organizations that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, which raises funds for women-focused charities, and Brides Against Breast Cancer, which provides early cancer awareness and detection programs. Adorned in Grace is another option, a faith-based organization that fights human trafficking through awareness, prevention, and restoration. Brides Across America is a nonprofit that donates wedding dresses to military members and first responders. Other organizations use donated wedding dresses to create infant burial gowns for bereaved families. By donating your wedding dress, you can give back to the community, support a meaningful cause, and bring joy to someone else's life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress donation organizations | Brides for a Cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Adorned in Grace, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, Brides Across America, NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program, The Emma and Evan Foundation, The Brides Project |
| Causes supported | Women-focused charities, cancer programs, military members and first responders, sex trafficking prevention, bereaved parents |
| Accepted items | Wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, bridal accessories, formalwear, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses |
| Donation methods | Drop-off in person, ship to store locations, fill out donation form, mail |
| Additional considerations | Wedding dresses should be cleaned before donating, no stains, less than five years old |
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What You'll Learn
Charities that help cancer patients
If you are looking to donate a brand new wedding dress, there are several charitable organizations that accept such donations. Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. Brides Against Breast Cancer is another nonprofit that accepts wedding dress donations and provides early cancer awareness and detection programs.
Now, here is some information about charities that help cancer patients:
CancerCare
CancerCare is a charitable organization that provides support to cancer patients and their caregivers. They offer support groups, counseling services, and financial assistance to help with the emotional and financial challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. CancerCare also connects people with clinical trials and provides educational workshops featuring world-leading cancer experts.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society offers a range of support programs and services for cancer patients and their caregivers. They provide a 24/7 cancer helpline with trained cancer information specialists who can answer questions and provide guidance. They also have the Cancer Survivors Network, an online community where cancer patients and caregivers can connect with others and share their experiences. Additionally, they offer the ACS EMPOWER program, which focuses on improving the physical, emotional, and social well-being of those affected by cancer.
Other Sources of Financial Assistance
There are several organizations that provide financial assistance to cancer patients, especially for drug-related costs. These include Medicine Assistance Tool, Needy Meds, United Way, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Good Days, HealthWell Foundation, and many others. Each organization has its own eligibility guidelines, and some may only cover certain types of cancer.
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$47.99
Organisations supporting victims of sex trafficking
If you have a brand new wedding dress that you no longer want, you could consider donating it to a charitable cause. Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. The Brides Project, based in Michigan, is another organisation that accepts donated wedding dresses and raises money for programs at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. Brides Against Breast Cancer is another nonprofit that accepts wedding dresses and bridal accessories and uses the proceeds to help breast cancer causes.
Adorned in Grace is a faith-based organisation that helps victims of sex trafficking and raises awareness in local communities. The organisation accepts wedding dresses less than five years old, as well as formalwear, and uses the proceeds to fund professional counselling for trafficking survivors.
There are also several organisations dedicated to supporting victims of sex trafficking:
- Polaris operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline and works to prevent modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
- Hope for Justice works to rescue victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, providing survivor aftercare and advocating for their needs.
- Girls Educational and Mentoring Services is a nonprofit based in Harlem, New York, that provides services to commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked girls and young women.
- Freeset is an organisation with a mission to provide sustainable employment and economic empowerment to victims of sex trafficking in South Asia.
- Renew Foundation is a Christian nonprofit based in the Philippines that empowers female survivors of human trafficking and prostitution.
- The Ricky Martin Foundation advocates for the well-being of children around the world.
- The Redlight Children Campaign is a nonprofit organisation that combats child sexual exploitation and human trafficking worldwide.
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Nonprofits that help military members
There are numerous nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping military members, veterans, and their families. These organizations provide a wide range of services, from financial assistance to mental health support, and are committed to improving the lives of those who have served their country.
One such organization is the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), which has been advocating for warriors and their families since 2003. WWP offers a holistic range of services, including mental health support, physical wellness, VA benefits assistance, and peer support, empowering veterans to thrive in their communities. Soldier's Angels is another nonprofit that provides aid, comfort, and resources to military members, veterans, and their families. Their services include morale-boosting care packages, letters, food assistance, and support for families navigating challenging moments.
United Service Organizations (USO) is a leading charitable organization serving active-duty service members and military families. USO provides support to troops and their families from the moment of enlistment through deployments and transitions back to civilian life. They offer comfort and assistance to wounded troops and their families, as well as programs to improve the quality of life for service members, such as holiday care packages and family workshops.
Other notable nonprofits include Hope for the Warriors, which provides comprehensive support focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and community resource connections. The Yellow Ribbon Fund focuses on supporting the caregivers of severely wounded post-9/11 veterans, aiming to keep families together during the recovery process. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance to military families, helping with rent, utilities, car repairs, and groceries, as well as offering transitional housing.
These organizations, and many others, play a vital role in supporting and empowering military members, veterans, and their families, ensuring that their sacrifices and service are honored and valued.
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Groups that repurpose dresses into infant burial gowns
There are several groups that repurpose wedding dresses into infant burial gowns, providing comfort and support to grieving families. Here are some organizations dedicated to this cause:
- The Emma and Evan Foundation: This non-profit organization transforms donated wedding dresses into beautiful infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns. These gowns are offered free of charge to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and directly to grieving families. The foundation has a dedicated board of directors and a network of volunteers across the United States who aim to provide comfort and support to families experiencing the loss of a baby.
- Little Angel Gowns, LTD: Little Angel Gowns is a 501(c)3 charitable organization founded in Indianapolis in 2014 by a career NICU nurse. They create handmade burial attire for infants from donated wedding gowns. Their mission is to provide comfort and support to grieving families by offering beautiful garments at no charge. They work with hospitals, funeral homes, and individual families to provide this special service.
- NICU Helping Hands' Angel Gown Program: This program was established in 2013 to support families who have lost a baby. They provide custom-made Angel Gown® garments for final photos and burial services, offering emotional support and affirmation of the importance of the child's life. They work with a network of donors and volunteers, many of whom have experienced similar losses.
- Eternal Angels: Eternal Angels is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization founded by Becky Gunderson in 2015. They transform wedding dresses into infant bereavement clothing, providing comfort and a sense of giving back to grieving families. The organization has provided more than 400 outfits for miscarried or stillborn babies, offering a therapeutic outlet for those who have experienced loss.
These organizations offer a meaningful way to repurpose wedding dresses, providing comfort and support to families during their time of grief. They exemplify the power of compassion and the ability to ease the burden of loss through their dedication to this important cause.
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Thrift stores
There are several thrift stores across the United States that accept wedding dress donations. Here are some options to consider:
Goodwill
Goodwill is a well-known thrift store with numerous locations across the country. They accept almost any clothing item, including wedding dresses, and sell them at discounted prices. The proceeds from the sales are used to support various charitable programs, such as job programs, housing, and veteran support. Goodwill also holds yearly bridal events where donated wedding dresses and accessories are showcased. Some locations offer pick-up services for donations.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is another household name for charitable donations in the US. They have thrift stores nationwide that accept wedding dress donations. The Salvation Army uses the sales proceeds to support various causes, including adult rehabilitation, veteran support, prison ministry work, disaster relief, housing, and hunger relief. You can schedule a free pickup for your donation or find a drop-off location near you.
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a bridal boutique that operates like a thrift store, with locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They accept wedding dress donations that are five years old or newer and use the proceeds to support women-focused charities. They also accept bulk donations from designers, stores, or manufacturers. You can mail in your donation or drop it off at one of their locations.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal
Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland accepts wedding dress donations to support Success in Style, a nonprofit that provides professional clothing and interview skills to individuals in crisis. They stock designer gowns less than five years old and do not require gowns to be professionally cleaned before donation. You can drop off your donation in person or follow the instructions on their website to mail it in.
When donating to a thrift store, it is important to contact them in advance to confirm their specific needs and donation protocols. Most thrift stores that accept wedding dresses require them to be less than five years old and in good condition. Some organizations may offer cleaning services for a fee if your dress needs to be refreshed before donation.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several charities and organizations that accept new wedding dress donations, including:
- Brides for a Cause
- Brides Against Breast Cancer
- Adorned in Grace
- Cherie Sustainable Bridal
- The Brides Project
- Brides Across America
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to give it a second life and bring joy to someone else. It can also help free up space in your closet and reduce your carbon footprint.
You can also donate your wedding dress to thrift stores, community centers, and other types of nonprofit organizations.
It is recommended to have your wedding dress cleaned by a specialist before donating it. You should also label the box with helpful information, including the size, brand or designer, year of purchase, and original price.
