Where to Donate DVDs, VHS Tapes, Video Games & Video Game Systems
Donate DVDs and video games to charity and help raise money for a cause you care about.  You can also help individuals in difficult circumstances (such as deployed soldiers or hospitalized children) to pass the time more pleasantly.  

Consider donating to one of the following organizations after you purge your DVD and video game collection.
​Organizations are grouped into categories (DVD, VHS, Video Games) for ease in finding what you're looking for. Entries are listed alphabetically within each category. 

DVD Donations

This organization literally sends thousands of DVDs to deployed military personnel serving around the globe. Contact them via their Facebook page (click on the link above) for details on donating movies and TV series on DVD. 
This organization collects DVDs to distribute to Veterans, particularly those with limited access.  Donate DVDs to the address on their website or drop them off at a VA facility near you.   

NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, DVDs-4-Vets is only accepting new, unopened DVDs at this time (as of April 2020).
Run by a retired Army officer, Operation Showtime is another organization dedicated to providing entertainment to deployed U.S. military personnel.

Local Organizations that May be Interested in Your DVDs

Chances are there are many organizations in your community that would welcome a donation of DVDs. Just be sure to call first before dropping off your donation to confirm that your stuff will be of use to them.  ​
Try one of the following types of organizations for your DVD donation:
  • libraries
  • shelters
  • care centers
  • youth programs 
  • preschools
  • daycare facilities
  • doctors' offices​ and hospitals ​

VHS Tape Solutions

VHS tapes (like cassette tapes) pose a couple of unique problems.  
  1. Finding a home for them is tricky because fewer and fewer people have functioning VCRs in which to play the tapes.
  2. The quality of the recording on the tapes degrades over time, so even if you have a VCR for playing your VHS tapes, the day will come when they are no longer worth watching.
  3. The magnetic tape on which VHS movies are recorded is considered a hazardous material. For this reason, VHS tapes should not be thrown in the trash. That said, finding a facility that can and will recycle them is also a challenge.  

If you've got VHS tapes you no longer want or can no longer view, consider one of the following options for getting rid of them.
  • ​Donate them to a thrift store - People who want VHS tapes shop for them at thrift stores. Your tapes have a decent chance of finding a new home with someone who will love them via a thrift store.
  • Sell them online - While the market for VHS tapes is limited, those who are interested in them (when not hitting the thrift stores) are looking online. Try Craigslist, Ebay, etsy, or a local Facebook buy/sell/trade group. 
  • Unload them via Freecycle - This online network helps people in the same area exchange stuff they no longer want.
  • ​Recycle them - GreenDisk is the go-to organization for recycling VHS tapes (and other outdated media/electronics). They do charge for the service - $11.99 to recycle up to 25 lbs. of stuff if you're mailing it to them (you pay shipping).  There is an additional charge of $0.45 for each additional pound.
If you are creative, you might consider making something new from your old VHS tapes. For some interesting ideas, visit the Top 10 of Anything and Everything! to see the Top 10 Things to Make and Do with Old VHS Tapes. 

Where to Donate Video Games & Gaming Systems

Charity Nerds provides video games and gaming systems to sick children in hospitals. The founder of this charity was hospitalized for an extended period of time as a child. During that time, he received his first video game, and that helped him get through a tough experience. Now he's giving back.
This non-profit organization offers support to children with life-threatening illnesses. In addition to providing games and gaming systems for hospitalized children, they offer scholarships to cancer survivors, host special events (in conjunction with gaming celebrities), provide support for caregivers, utilize cutting edge virtual reality technology to bless sick kids, and more. You can read more about the programs they offer on their website. 
Gamers Outreach also provides recreation for children in hospitals. Interestingly, it began with a group of high school students. They use what they call "GO Karts' (Gamers Outreach Karts) which are portable, medical grade gaming kiosks used for transporting gaming systems around hospitals in order to bring recreation to bedridden children. 
With the rapid evolution of technology we all have recreational media we no longer use. Fortunately, there are lots of worthy causes seeking donations of used DVDs, video games and gaming systems. There are even some good options available for VHS tapes. 

Due to the ever-changing nature of technology, many of these organizations adapt over time in order to better meet the needs of those they serve. Occasionally an organization will even cease to operate. If you come across a link on this page that is no longer accurate, please let me know in the comments section below.   

​Furthermore, please note that an organization's presence on this list does not constitute a recommendation on my part, nor am I affiliated with any of these organizations in any way.
Last updated April 1, 2019.
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