Franklin Dean
Wedding dresses are often only worn once, so if you're not planning on wearing yours again, why not give it away? Donating your wedding dress can give it a second life, help a bride in need, and free up space in your closet. There are several charities and organisations that accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides Across America, which gives free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides, and Brides Against Breast Cancer, which resells wedding dresses to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. You could also donate your dress to The Emma and Evan Foundation, which transforms wedding dresses into angel gowns—burial gowns for infants who have passed away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Charities that accept wedding dress donations | Brides Against Breast Cancer, Brides Across America, Brides for a Cause, The Emma and Evan Foundation, Cherie Sustainable Bridal, Goodwill Industries |
| What the charity does with the wedding dress | Resell the dress to raise funds for breast cancer awareness, early detection, and legislation efforts, or donate to brides in need, transform into burial gowns for infants, or give to military and first responder brides |
| What the charity accepts | Wedding dresses (no more than 3-5 years old), veils, headpieces, accessories, formalwear, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses |
| Donation methods | Drop off in person, ship to any location, fill out an online form |
| Benefits of donating | Free up closet space, receive a tax deduction, help someone in need, reduce waste and pollution, reduce your carbon footprint |
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What You'll Learn
- Charities that support breast cancer awareness and research
- Nonprofits supporting women, single mothers, and abuse survivors
- Nonprofits that provide free weddings and gowns to military and first responders
- Organisations that transform dresses into burial gowns for infants
- Charities that provide clothing and interview skills to people in crisis
Charities that support breast cancer awareness and research
If you're looking to give away your wedding dress to a charity supporting breast cancer awareness and research, here are some options:
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a charity that helps fund breast cancer awareness, research, and early detection through the sale of wedding dresses. The company is based in Atlanta and has sold over 50,000 donated wedding dresses, with the mission of helping people detect breast cancer early and prevent misdiagnosis. They accept wedding dresses that are no more than three years old, along with veils, headpieces, and other accessories.
Brides for a Cause
While not exclusively focused on breast cancer, Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for various charities, including women-focused nonprofits that promote positive self-image and education. They accept wedding dresses that are five years old or newer, and have showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento.
The Brides Project
Based in Michigan, The Brides Project raises money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. They accept gently used and new dresses and resell them to raise funds for support groups, counseling services, nutrition workshops, and more.
In addition to these charities, there are other options for donating your wedding dress to support various causes. These include Brides Across America, which provides free wedding gowns to military and first responder brides, and Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland, which supports Success in Style, a nonprofit providing professional clothing and interview skills to clients in crisis.
Charities Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness and Research:
- Breast Cancer Now: This charity invests in research for prevention, early diagnosis, better treatments, and improving the quality of life for people affected by breast cancer.
- Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: This foundation funds life-saving research, treatment, education, and community health programs. They also offer a free breast care helpline with trained oncology social workers.
- National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF): NBCF provides access to mammograms and diagnostic services, investing in research and life-saving programs. They have received high ratings from charity evaluators and have helped reduce breast cancer death rates.
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Nonprofits supporting women, single mothers, and abuse survivors
There are several nonprofits that support women, single mothers, and abuse survivors that accept wedding dress donations. Here are some organizations you can consider:
Brides for a Cause
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. Since 2012, they have donated over $1.2 million to charities supporting women in the military, single mothers, abuse survivors, and more. They accept wedding dresses no more than five years old and bridal accessories. You can mail or drop off your donation at one of their store locations or roadshow events.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. They resell gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness, early detection, and reducing the environmental impact of wedding dress manufacturing. They accept wedding dresses that are 3-5 years old and in excellent condition, along with bridal accessories. You can donate by using the donation form on their website, emailing them, or contacting their client service to receive shipping instructions.
Adorned in Grace
Adorned in Grace is a faith-based organization with a mission to help sex trafficking victims and raise awareness in local communities. They provide new and gently used wedding dresses and formal wear, with proceeds going towards funding professional counseling 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 formal wear. You can donate by dropping off your items in person or shipping them to any of their shop locations.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation accepts wedding dress donations and transforms them into angel gowns, which are burial gowns for infants.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal
Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland accepts donated wedding gowns to support Success in Style, a nonprofit that provides professional clothing and basic interview skills to clients in crisis. They stock designer gowns less than five years old and also accept donated bridesmaid dresses. You can mail or drop off your donation without the need for professional cleaning.
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Nonprofits that provide free weddings and gowns to military and first responders
If you're looking to give away your wedding dress to a military member or first responder, there are several nonprofits that can help make someone's dream wedding come true. Here are some organizations to consider:
Brides Across America (BAA)
Brides Across America is a well-known nonprofit organization that has gifted over 28,000 wedding dresses to military and first responder brides since 2008. They hold "Operation Wedding Gown" events twice a year, in July and November, where they give away free wedding dresses. These events are held in partnership with bridal salons across the country. BAA also accepts donations of new and used wedding gowns, as long as they are in good condition, as well as other wedding accessories and jewelry.
Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring
Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring is a nonprofit boutique based in Rockville, Maryland. They sell reduced-priced wedding gowns, and all their net proceeds go towards various charities, including the Alzheimer's Association and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. By purchasing a dress from them, you're not only getting a great deal but also supporting multiple worthy causes.
Cherie Sustainable Bridal
Cherie Sustainable Bridal is another Maryland-based nonprofit bridal boutique. They are a division of Success in Style (SIS), an organization dedicated to supporting individuals in crisis as they work towards employment and life improvement. Cherie Sustainable Bridal sells pre-owned wedding gowns at affordable prices, and 100% of the proceeds go to SIS. They accept wedding dresses up to five years old and also offer professional business attire.
The Brides Project
The Brides Project is a unique nonprofit bridal boutique with a focus on eco-friendliness and budget-friendly options. They offer gently used wedding gowns, and all sales proceeds go towards providing free programs for families impacted by cancer at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. Donating your dress to them can help support individuals and families going through difficult times.
By donating your wedding dress to one of these nonprofits, you can bring joy to a military or first responder bride, support various charitable causes, and reduce your carbon footprint. It's a wonderful way to give back and make a difference in someone's life.
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Organisations that transform dresses into burial gowns for infants
Several organisations transform donated wedding dresses into burial gowns for infants. These organisations provide bereaved families with comfort and support during an unimaginably difficult time.
Little Angel Gowns Charity
Little Angel Gowns is a charitable organisation that transforms wedding dresses into infant burial attire. The organisation was founded in Indianapolis in 2014 by a career NICU nurse who observed the need for appropriate burial garments for infants. The gowns are handmade and provided as a gift to grieving families without any charge. The organisation also offers angel pods for infants who are too small for a gown.
NICU Helping Hands
The Angel Gown® Program by NICU Helping Hands provides custom-made burial gowns for families who have lost a baby. The program was started in 2013 to offer support and comfort to bereaved families. Wedding dresses donated from around the world are transformed into Angel Gown® garments by volunteer seamstresses.
The Emma and Evan Foundation
The Emma and Evan Foundation, also known as Angel Gowns, transforms wedding dresses into infant burial gowns, which are offered free of charge to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and directly to grieving families. The foundation has a dedicated board of directors and a network of volunteers from across the United States who contribute their time and skills to provide comfort to families experiencing the loss of a baby.
Cherished Gowns UK
Cherished Gowns UK is a charity that provides bereaved parents with burial outfits for stillborn babies, handmade from donated wedding dresses. The organisation has a team of volunteers who sew and create the burial outfits, ensuring that each tiny life is honoured and cherished.
Angel Gowns Australia
Angel Gowns Australia is a volunteer-based not-for-profit charity that creates burial gowns for babies and children from donated wedding dresses. These gowns are provided free of charge to hospitals, funeral homes, and families. The organisation aims to bring peace and beauty to families during a difficult time.
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Charities that provide clothing and interview skills to people in crisis
Donating your wedding dress is a great way to free up closet space and help others in need. There are several charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations and use them to support a variety of causes. Here are some charities that provide clothing and interview skills to people in crisis:
- Suited & Booted: Based in Holborn, London, Suited & Booted is a charity that helps vulnerable, unemployed, and low-income men get into employment by providing suitable interview clothing, interview advice, and mentoring. They believe that a great outfit can transform lives and empower men to succeed in their job interviews. Suited & Booted provides a welcoming and friendly environment, offering thoughtful advice, interview training, and support to their clients.
- Dress for Success: With national affiliates across the United States, Dress for Success promotes self-confidence and economic independence for disadvantaged women. They accept donations of work clothes and shoes and distribute them to women in need of professional attire for job interviews. The organization also provides mentor support and career development training to their beneficiaries.
- Career Gear: This charity is similar to Dress for Success but focuses on helping men. They provide professional clothing, mentoring, and life skills development to low-income men, ensuring they have the necessary clothing and toiletries for job interviews. Career Gear has several locations on the East Coast and in various parts of the Southern United States.
- Cherie Sustainable Bridal: Located in Maryland, Cherie Sustainable Bridal accepts donated wedding gowns to support Success in Style, a nonprofit organization. Success in Style offers professional clothing and basic interview skills training to clients in crisis. They accept designer gowns that are less than five years old and also sell donated bridesmaid dresses at their partner store.
In addition to these charities, there are other organizations like Brides for a Cause, Brides Across America, and Brides Against Breast Cancer that accept wedding dress donations and use the proceeds to support various causes, including raising funds for women-focused nonprofits, supporting military and first responder brides, and promoting breast cancer awareness and early detection.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several charities that accept wedding dress donations, including Brides for a Cause, Brides Across America, Brides Against Breast Cancer, and The Emma and Evan Foundation.
Charities such as Brides for a Cause and Brides Across America resell the donated wedding dresses and use the profits to support women-focused charities and causes. Brides Against Breast Cancer uses the money raised from reselling wedding dresses to support breast cancer awareness and early detection. The Emma and Evan Foundation transforms wedding dresses into angel gowns, which are burial gowns for infants who have passed away. These memorial gowns are then offered to grieving families.
Donating your wedding dress can help free up closet space and reduce clutter. It is also more environmentally friendly than throwing it away, as it reduces waste, pollution, and your carbon footprint. Additionally, donating your wedding dress can help support various charitable causes and provide another bride with an affordable wedding dress.
The process for donating a wedding dress can vary depending on the charity and your location. Most charities accept wedding dresses that are no more than five years old and in good condition. Some charities, such as Brides for a Cause, allow you to mail in your donation or drop it off at one of their locations. Other charities, such as Brides Against Breast Cancer, require you to complete a donation form on their website before shipping the dress based on their instructions. It is recommended to review the guidelines and acceptance criteria of the charity before donating.
