Where to Donate Craft Supplies
Have you got a surplus of buttons, beads, fabric, craft paint, or yarn cluttering up your closet?  You can donate craft supplies to one of the numerous organizations which regularly utilize such items as part of their program and help someone in need.  Your donation could be used to promote the arts and art therapy among underprivileged youth, provide much needed warmth to a newborn, or offer comfort to patients with breast cancer or Alzheimer’s. 

Here is a sample of organizations with a continuing need for arts and crafts supplies. Organizations are listed alphabetically. The order in which organizations are listed does not represent any sort of hierarchy.  

Look for Local Organizations in Need

It can be rewarding to find ways to give within your own community.  Local organizations or groups that are likely to appreciate a donation of craft supplies include:
  • preschools
  • daycare centers
  • youth centers/boys' and girls' clubs
  • Boy Scout or Girl Scout troops
  • school teachers (particularly elementary teachers or art teachers)
  • church nurseries
  • nursing home/senior center activities directors

​I recommend calling first before taking a donation to a local organization such as those listed above. Make sure they need/want what you have to offer. 

Charities That Accept Craft Donations

The Dreaming Zebra Foundation provides access to art and music supplies for thousands of children, schools, art therapy programs, and community organizations throughout the United States.  If you live in the Portland, Oregon area, you can donate craft supplies at a drop-off location or arrange for pick up.  Otherwise, you can mail your donation.  Click on the link above to see their wish list of most wanted craft items. Note: the foundation also accepts donations of musical instruments. 
This volunteer force knits or crochets hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, Afghans, baby booties, layette sets, and Christmas stockings for needy children around the country.  They are looking for donations of yarn, knitting needles, and books on knitting.  ​
The Mother Bear Project has the very specific goal of providing hand knitted or crocheted bears to children with HIV Aids in developing countries.  They accept donations of yarn, knitting needles, and PolyFil.  ​
Scrap It Up is a super cool concept that I would love to see take off nation wide. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this unique take on a thrift store accepts a wide variety of creative materials for resale at low prices in an effort to make creativity accessible and keep useful items out of landfills. 
I recently discovered Upcycling Colors, and I'm extremely excited about it because:
  1. The list of items they accept is vast: all sorts of craft supplies, office supplies, games, puzzles, toys, musical instruments. Click on the title of this entry to see just how extensive the list is. 
  2. They are generous in what they accept. For instance, if you only have one sticker left on a sheet, they'll take it, and they don't care about the condition of your markers because they test them out. 
  3. The list of organizations that benefit from their services is also extensive and includes schools, after-school programs, special education programs, orphanages, refugee centers, community centers, shelters, and hospitals.
 For futher details, click on the "Request Info" button on their main page. 

​Charities That Accept Fabric Donations

If you're an avid crafter, chances are you have a surplus of unused fabric. There are a number of charities that accept unused fabric donations to assist them in fulfilling their missions. Consider donating your unused fabric to one of these worthwhile organizations. For general information on donating fabric, click here. 
There are a number of ways to donate to Newborns in Need, an organization that is dedicated to providing essentials to infants born in financially challenging circumstances. These include everything from hosting a baby shower to making a monetary donation to volunteering to make needed items at home using the knitting, croqueting, or sewing patterns provided on their website. To make a fabric donation, contact a chapter in your state which you can locate on their website. 
Quilts of Valor provides quilts to wounded veterans. They have specific guidelines regarding what can be labeled a Quilt of Valor. You can contribute by donating fabric. 
Project Linus is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing new, handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill or traumatized. You can contribute by making blankets. Patterns are provided on their website, but they accept blankets of all sizes. You can also contact your local chapter about donating your unused fabric. 
If you have a surplus of craft supplies you can donate to any one of the organizations listed here. If you are a crafty person, you might even become a volunteer!  Either way, I know your donation will be greatly appreciated, and you can have the doubly satisfying experience of donating and decluttering at the same time!

Disclaimer
Please note that the presence of an organization on this list does not constitute a recommendation on my part, nor do I represent any of these organizations in any way.  This page was last updated on December 27, 2021. 
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