Franklin Dean
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and give your dress new life. There are many organizations that accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides for a Cause, which is a nonprofit bridal store that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. Brides Across America is another nonprofit that accepts wedding dress donations, providing free wedding dresses to military members and first responders. If you're looking to donate your wedding dress locally, you can search for donation centers or local drop-off bins in your area, such as Goodwill stores, which are open with social distancing protocols.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donation Centers | Brides for a Cause, Brides Across America, Goodwill, Salvation Army Thrift Stores, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, Adorned in Grace, The Brides Project, The Emma and Evan Foundation, Little Angel Gowns |
| Causes Supported | Cancer research, early detection, and support; human trafficking prevention; military and first responders; women in need, single mothers, abuse survivors; environmental protection; disaster relief; human rights |
| Accepted Items | Wedding dresses, veils, jewelry, and accessories; engagement rings and wedding favors; bridesmaid dresses |
| Donation Requirements | Dresses should be less than 4-5 years old and in good/wearable condition; some organizations accept donations from specific brands only |
| How to Donate | Mail or drop off at store locations or events; fill out online forms; contact via email or phone for instructions |
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What You'll Learn
Charities supporting veterans and cancer research
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to support charities, reduce your carbon footprint, and help brides in need. Here are some options for charities supporting veterans and cancer research:
Brides Across America
This nonprofit organization provides free wedding dresses to military members, first responders, and brides in need. They accept wedding dresses, accessories, veils, jewelry, engagement rings, and wedding favors. To donate, simply fill out their online form or submit the donation form to receive shipping instructions. Brides Across America has outfitted over 28,000 women since 2008 and holds Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year.
Brides for a Cause
This bridal store collects and resells wedding dresses, with proceeds going to various women-focused charities, including those supporting women in the military, single mothers, and abuse survivors. They accept wedding dresses and accessories no more than five years old. You can mail in your donation or drop it off at one of their locations in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, or Sacramento. Brides for a Cause has donated over $2.5 million to charities and found new homes for 35,000 dresses.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Based in Atlanta, this charity resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection programs. They accept wedding dresses up to four years old and in excellent condition. You can use their donation form, email them, or contact client service for shipping instructions. Brides Against Breast Cancer has sold over 50,000 donated wedding dresses and is dedicated to helping women and preventing misdiagnosis.
The Brides Project
Located in Michigan, The Brides Project raises funds for the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor through the resale of donated wedding dresses. Their programs include support groups, counseling services, and nutrition workshops. They accept gently used dresses and new dresses donated from bridal salons.
The Salvation Army
This international faith-based nonprofit provides numerous services, including veteran support, adult rehabilitation, prison ministry work, disaster relief, and hunger relief. They accept clothing, furniture, vehicles, household goods, and appliances. You can donate to The Salvation Army by finding a drop-off location, visiting their thrift stores, or scheduling a free pickup.
These organizations provide excellent opportunities to support veterans and cancer research through wedding dress donations. Each charity has its own focus and impact, so you can choose the one that aligns most with your values and interests.
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Nonprofits supporting women
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit bridal store that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for dozens of women-focused charities. Since 2012, the store has donated over $1.2 million to charities supporting women in the military, single mothers, abuse survivors, and more. They accept wedding dresses no older than five years and bridal accessories. You can mail your dress or drop it off at one of their store locations or roadshow events.
Brides Across America is another nonprofit that provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year. Since 2008, the nonprofit has outfitted more than 28,000 women. They accept items that are less than four years old and in wearable condition.
The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program accepts wedding dresses, which seamstresses then remake into gowns for photos and burial services for the infants of bereaved parents.
The Emma and Evan Foundation also transforms donated wedding dresses into infant burial gowns, which are offered free of charge to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and grieving families.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland donates gowns to Success in Style, a nonprofit that provides professional clothing and teaches basic interview skills to clients in crisis. They accept designer gowns that are less than five years old.
Little Angel Gowns is another organisation that uses donated wedding dresses to create infant burial gowns.
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Military and first responder brides
If you're a military bride or first responder bride looking for a wedding dress, or you're a past bride wanting to donate your dress to a cause that supports military members and first responders, there are several organisations that can help.
Bride Across America (BAA)
Bride Across America is a nonprofit organisation that provides wedding dresses and covers wedding costs for military members and first responders. They accept wedding dresses, accessories, engagement rings, and wedding favours that are less than five years old. To donate, fill out and submit the donation form on their website to receive the shipping address and instructions.
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a bridal store that raises funds for charities supporting women in the military, single mothers, and abuse survivors, among other causes. They accept wedding dresses that are no more than five years old and bridal accessories. You can mail in your donation or drop it off at one of their store locations or roadshow events.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation transforms donated wedding dresses into infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns, which are offered to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and grieving families free of charge. They have a network of volunteers across the US who help provide comfort to families experiencing the loss of a baby. To donate a wedding gown, send an email to [email protected] to receive their dress acceptance policy.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is an organisation based in Atlanta that raises money for breast cancer awareness and early detection by reselling gently used wedding gowns. They accept wedding dresses that are in good condition and have been worn within the last three to five years. You can donate by filling out the donation form on their website, sending an email, or contacting their client service for shipping instructions.
In addition to these organisations, you may also be able to find local bridal stores or nonprofits that accept wedding dress donations to support various causes, including cancer research, disaster relief, and human rights. It's a great way to give your wedding dress new life and support a worthy cause.
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Sex trafficking prevention
If you're looking to donate your wedding dress locally for sex trafficking prevention, Adorned in Grace is a faith-based organisation with a mission to bring churches together to fight human trafficking through awareness, prevention, and restoration. Adorned in Grace has stores in Oregon and Arizona that provide new and gently used wedding dresses and formalwear. The sales proceeds fund professional counselling for trafficking survivors, awareness publications, and more. They accept wedding dresses less than five years old, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, bridal accessories, and formalwear. You can drop off donations in person or ship them to any of their shop locations.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland is another option. They support Success in Style, a nonprofit that offers professional clothing and basic interview skills to clients in crisis. They stock a variety of designer gowns less than five years old and accept donations of wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and other formalwear.
Brides Across America is another nonprofit that supports military and first responder brides by gifting them wedding gowns during their "Operation Wedding Gown Event." They have given over 28,000 wedding dresses to brides in need since 2008.
Additionally, local charities and nonprofit organisations in your community may also accept wedding dress donations. You can research and contact organisations in your area to inquire about their specific needs and donation process.
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Infant bereavement support
If you're looking for places to donate your wedding dress locally, you could consider organisations that support infant bereavement. These organisations provide a valuable service to grieving families by transforming donated wedding dresses into infant burial gowns, also known as Angel Gowns. These gowns are offered free of charge to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and directly to families.
One such organisation is NICU Helping Hands, which has an Angel Gown® Program that began in 2013. They provide comfort to bereaved families through the gift of a custom-made gown for final photos and burial services. They also offer support resources and mentoring programs for grieving families. NICU Helping Hands accepts wedding gowns and bridesmaid gowns in pale pink, pale blue, and lavender. They are currently accepting donations on an "as-needed" basis and have a waitlist of seamstresses.
Another organisation is The Emma and Evan Foundation, which also transforms donated wedding dresses into Angel Gowns for infant burial. They have a dedicated board of directors and a network of volunteers across the US who aim to provide comfort to families experiencing the loss of a baby. They accept donations year-round and provide details for mailing or dropping off your donation.
Additionally, Little Angel Gowns, a charity based in Indiana, also accepts wedding dress donations to create burial gowns for infants. You can contact them via email to inquire about their dress acceptance policy.
It's important to note that these organisations may have specific guidelines and requirements for dress donations, and it's recommended to review their websites for more information. Your donation can provide comfort and support to families experiencing the unthinkable tragedy of losing an infant.
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Frequently asked questions
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit bridal store that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for dozens of women-focused charities. You can mail or drop off your dress at one of their store locations or roadshow events. They have showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento.
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a Georgia-based nonprofit that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. You can also consider donating to Brides Across America if you're based in Michigan, as they raise money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor.
The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program accepts wedding dress donations and uses them to create burial gowns for infants. You can also consider donating to the Emma and Evan Foundation, which transforms wedding dresses into Angel Gowns for grieving families.
