Where to Donate Craft Supplies for Charity

If you’re cleaning out your stash, you may be wondering where to donate craft supplies for charity. We’ve got you.

If you're cleaning out your stash, you may be wondering where to donate craft supplies for charity. We've got you.Sometimes I get rid of fabric.Shocking, right? Fabric is meant to be hoarded, right? But honestly, though those old pastel celestial prints might be useful for insulating my house or making my fridge run more efficiently, I am so over the stars thing and I am never going to use this stuff.

My local quilt guild takes donations of kid-friendly and soldier-friendly fabrics for various community service projects, but what if you don’t have a guild nearby? And more importantly, is there anything I can do to find a new life for the perfectly good yarn that I often see abandoned in thrift stores and at garage sales?

Here are five organizations that accept donations of craft supplies. Feel free to add more in the comments. I’ve tried to stick to permanent organizations instead of individuals or temporary efforts, and this list contains only organizations where I could confirm they accept donations. (There are hundreds upon hundreds of organizations listed all over the web, and hundreds of websites, but many of them no longer exist.)

If you’re going to donate supplies, please be thoughtful and make sure what you’re donating is appropriate. Someone in our guild once donated vinyl to the baby quilts project… um, ok… thanks, I guess…

The CUREchief Foundation provides scarves to people with cancer, alopecia, and other conditions which may cause hair loss. These CUREchiefs can be worn on the head, or around the neck. They accept donations of cotton, flannel, and polar fleece for their volunteers to use in making CUREchiefs. For their address, see their Volunteer Page.

Care Wear Volunteers has volunteers nationwide who make and donate handmade baby items to hospitals. Founder Bonnie Hagerman sent me this information about what they need:

Care Wear Volunteers (a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization) appreciates receiving donated yarn (all fiber contents & colors), fiberfill, quilt batting, fleece, narrow white lace, flannel, spools of sewing thread (especially white), bias binding, knitting needles (especially circular), cotton or polypropylene webbing for handles (1″-1.5″ width), woven cottons and other fabrics suitable for children’s toys, apparel, layette items, and blankets/quilts. Donated supplies will be distributed to volunteers who request assistance with their projects that are donated to hospital patients of all ages and families in need. A receipt will be provided for all donations. Contact: Bonnie Hagerman, Care Wear Volunteers, 301-620-2858 or carewear@comcast.net. Mailing address is 102 Mercer Court #23-5, Frederick MD 21701 and Office location is 324 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701 (no mailbox at this office location). Office hours: Monday-Friday 10am to 3pm, but suggest that you call to confirm schedule before delivering supplies. See our website: www.carewear.org

Members of the Charity Craft Volunteer Network in Central Texas craft to help infants, children, breast cancer patients, elders with Alzheimer’s, patients in hospice, and others. They can use fabric, yarn, fiberfill, batting, and thread. You can see the types of items they make. Their Donate Page has the address.

Newborns In Need focuses on helping needy families clothe their babies and keep them warm by providing clothing and blankets to families taking their infants home from the hospital. Appropriate donations of fabric, sewing notions, and patterns are welcome. Donations may be sent to Newborns in Need National Office, 3323 Transou Road, Pfafftown, NC 27040.

You can contact the local chapter coordinator for the Project Linus nearest you to find out whether they need fabric for making kids’ blankets. “Materials must be new, unused and free of contaminants such as mold, mildew and smoke. They should be cotton or cotton/poly blends.”

The Preemie Project has chapters in Iowa and Michigan that make items for the NICU, PICU, and infant bereavement programs. Their Donate Page is up to date with needed supplies, including flannel, fleece, thread, ribbon, and lace.

[Photo by Dominic Morel.]

62 thoughts on “Where to Donate Craft Supplies for Charity”

  1. You can also check with your local elementary school. I’m a teacher and I am always in need of yarn for our various weaving projects. Often scouts or your local day care center (school age care especially) can use these materials.

  2. You can also check with your local elementary school. I’m a teacher and I am always in need of yarn for our various weaving projects. Often scouts or your local day care center (school age care especially) can use these materials.

  3. You can also check with your local elementary school. I’m a teacher and I am always in need of yarn for our various weaving projects. Often scouts or your local day care center (school age care especially) can use these materials.

  4. You can also check with your local elementary school. I’m a teacher and I am always in need of yarn for our various weaving projects. Often scouts or your local day care center (school age care especially) can use these materials.

  5. There is a lady in my home town who makes quilts for kids at the nearby Shriner’s Hospital. She takes fabric donations and I intend to give her some fabric that I have held onto. I am cleaning out and getting rid of things before I move. I don’t know her name, but I know where she lives and it will give me pleasure to know that my fabric will be used for a worthwhile purpose.

  6. There is a lady in my home town who makes quilts for kids at the nearby Shriner’s Hospital. She takes fabric donations and I intend to give her some fabric that I have held onto. I am cleaning out and getting rid of things before I move. I don’t know her name, but I know where she lives and it will give me pleasure to know that my fabric will be used for a worthwhile purpose.

  7. There is a lady in my home town who makes quilts for kids at the nearby Shriner’s Hospital. She takes fabric donations and I intend to give her some fabric that I have held onto. I am cleaning out and getting rid of things before I move. I don’t know her name, but I know where she lives and it will give me pleasure to know that my fabric will be used for a worthwhile purpose.

  8. There is a lady in my home town who makes quilts for kids at the nearby Shriner’s Hospital. She takes fabric donations and I intend to give her some fabric that I have held onto. I am cleaning out and getting rid of things before I move. I don’t know her name, but I know where she lives and it will give me pleasure to know that my fabric will be used for a worthwhile purpose.

  9. Elgin’s Angels is a Texas non-profit agency that makes/collects handmade stockings as well as stocking stuffers from the local communities. They fill the stockings with an assortment of items to give to the local Austin-area agencies who provide services for abandoned, abused or underpriviledged children.

    Examples of craft items needed: Fabric, yarn, fiberfill, batting, ribbon, embellishments, buttons, small toys, beads, hot glue, etc.

  10. Elgin’s Angels is a Texas non-profit agency that makes/collects handmade stockings as well as stocking stuffers from the local communities. They fill the stockings with an assortment of items to give to the local Austin-area agencies who provide services for abandoned, abused or underpriviledged children.

    Examples of craft items needed: Fabric, yarn, fiberfill, batting, ribbon, embellishments, buttons, small toys, beads, hot glue, etc.

  11. Elgin’s Angels is a Texas non-profit agency that makes/collects handmade stockings as well as stocking stuffers from the local communities. They fill the stockings with an assortment of items to give to the local Austin-area agencies who provide services for abandoned, abused or underpriviledged children.

    Examples of craft items needed: Fabric, yarn, fiberfill, batting, ribbon, embellishments, buttons, small toys, beads, hot glue, etc.

  12. We accept donations of craft items as well. We are a group of folks that enjoy crafting for others. Many of us have disabilities and are on limited incomes so every donations is a great blessing to us. We provide items to those in need from preemies to senior citizens as well as shelter animals.

  13. I work with young adults with developmental disabilities in Chicago. We incorporate music and art activities almost everyday. We would love any donations of old musical instruments and arts and crafts supplies and even books with project ideas.
    We can use fabric, crayons, paper, glue, markers, yarn, buttons, paint, construction paper, tissue paper, or just about any other items that can be used for projects.

  14. I work with young adults with developmental disabilities in Chicago. We incorporate music and art activities almost everyday. We would love any donations of old musical instruments and arts and crafts supplies and even books with project ideas.
    We can use fabric, crayons, paper, glue, markers, yarn, buttons, paint, construction paper, tissue paper, or just about any other items that can be used for projects.

  15. I work with young adults with developmental disabilities in Chicago. We incorporate music and art activities almost everyday. We would love any donations of old musical instruments and arts and crafts supplies and even books with project ideas.
    We can use fabric, crayons, paper, glue, markers, yarn, buttons, paint, construction paper, tissue paper, or just about any other items that can be used for projects.

  16. I work with young adults with developmental disabilities in Chicago. We incorporate music and art activities almost everyday. We would love any donations of old musical instruments and arts and crafts supplies and even books with project ideas.
    We can use fabric, crayons, paper, glue, markers, yarn, buttons, paint, construction paper, tissue paper, or just about any other items that can be used for projects.

    1. I am looking to donate lots of art supplies and fabric that I’ve collected through the years and I came across your post from craftingagreenworld.com. Do you still need supplies or if you do not do you know of other organizations in the Chicagoland area that would benefit?

  17. Hi there,

    I am an acupuncturist and in our profession we have packaging that could easily be recycled for a craft project.

    All of our needles come packaged with “little plastic tubes” that act as a sheath to the needle. Once we use the needle, it is essentially trash. To my knowledge, no one has figured out a way to dispose of them or recycle them. I began saving them last summer to donate to a local craft group but then the group dissolved.

    I can send you pictures if you are interested. My goal is to set up a blog or link on my site where acupuncturists can connect with organizations that may be interested in them as a craft supply.

    Thanks so much!! Love your site!

  18. Hi there,

    I am an acupuncturist and in our profession we have packaging that could easily be recycled for a craft project.

    All of our needles come packaged with “little plastic tubes” that act as a sheath to the needle. Once we use the needle, it is essentially trash. To my knowledge, no one has figured out a way to dispose of them or recycle them. I began saving them last summer to donate to a local craft group but then the group dissolved.

    I can send you pictures if you are interested. My goal is to set up a blog or link on my site where acupuncturists can connect with organizations that may be interested in them as a craft supply.

    Thanks so much!! Love your site!

  19. Hi there,

    I am an acupuncturist and in our profession we have packaging that could easily be recycled for a craft project.

    All of our needles come packaged with “little plastic tubes” that act as a sheath to the needle. Once we use the needle, it is essentially trash. To my knowledge, no one has figured out a way to dispose of them or recycle them. I began saving them last summer to donate to a local craft group but then the group dissolved.

    I can send you pictures if you are interested. My goal is to set up a blog or link on my site where acupuncturists can connect with organizations that may be interested in them as a craft supply.

    Thanks so much!! Love your site!

  20. Hi there,

    I am an acupuncturist and in our profession we have packaging that could easily be recycled for a craft project.

    All of our needles come packaged with “little plastic tubes” that act as a sheath to the needle. Once we use the needle, it is essentially trash. To my knowledge, no one has figured out a way to dispose of them or recycle them. I began saving them last summer to donate to a local craft group but then the group dissolved.

    I can send you pictures if you are interested. My goal is to set up a blog or link on my site where acupuncturists can connect with organizations that may be interested in them as a craft supply.

    Thanks so much!! Love your site!

  21. i have several cans of open paint. any ideas? i tried the Re-Store (Old Habitat for Humanity), but they will only take full cans. i have changed my color schemes and i no longer need this paint for touch ups. i hate to throw something away that is re-usable. but i’ve been carrying it around for almost a week now.

  22. i have several cans of open paint. any ideas? i tried the Re-Store (Old Habitat for Humanity), but they will only take full cans. i have changed my color schemes and i no longer need this paint for touch ups. i hate to throw something away that is re-usable. but i’ve been carrying it around for almost a week now.

  23. i have several cans of open paint. any ideas? i tried the Re-Store (Old Habitat for Humanity), but they will only take full cans. i have changed my color schemes and i no longer need this paint for touch ups. i hate to throw something away that is re-usable. but i’ve been carrying it around for almost a week now.

  24. i have several cans of open paint. any ideas? i tried the Re-Store (Old Habitat for Humanity), but they will only take full cans. i have changed my color schemes and i no longer need this paint for touch ups. i hate to throw something away that is re-usable. but i’ve been carrying it around for almost a week now.

  25. Chrissy, though it is not a charity, you might try finding your local freecycle site (mine is on YahooGroups) and post that what you have available. I have always found someone who could use things I would otherwise have to throw away and at least it keeps it out of the dump.

  26. Chrissy, though it is not a charity, you might try finding your local freecycle site (mine is on YahooGroups) and post that what you have available. I have always found someone who could use things I would otherwise have to throw away and at least it keeps it out of the dump.

  27. Chrissy, though it is not a charity, you might try finding your local freecycle site (mine is on YahooGroups) and post that what you have available. I have always found someone who could use things I would otherwise have to throw away and at least it keeps it out of the dump.

  28. Chrissy, though it is not a charity, you might try finding your local freecycle site (mine is on YahooGroups) and post that what you have available. I have always found someone who could use things I would otherwise have to throw away and at least it keeps it out of the dump.

  29. My mother has been making knotted lap blankets for cancer patients in her area. She has done this for several years, with her own money, but cannot afford it anymore. She lives in Iowa. Is there something I can do to find people businesses, etc. that would donate 1 1/2 yd pieces of cotton fabric and fiberfil so she could continue to do this?

    1. Where does your mother live? i have fabric pieces that could be used for quilts etc. as I no longer do much sewing and would be willing to mail some thing to her. Does it have to be in 1 1/2 pieces or are smaller scraps OK?

  30. Tina Reynolds

    My mother has been making knotted lap blankets for cancer patients in her area. She has done this for several years, with her own money, but cannot afford it anymore. She lives in Iowa. Is there something I can do to find people businesses, etc. that would donate 1 1/2 yd pieces of cotton fabric and fiberfil so she could continue to do this?

    1. Where does your mother live? i have fabric pieces that could be used for quilts etc. as I no longer do much sewing and would be willing to mail some thing to her. Does it have to be in 1 1/2 pieces or are smaller scraps OK?

  31. Tina Reynolds

    My mother has been making knotted lap blankets for cancer patients in her area. She has done this for several years, with her own money, but cannot afford it anymore. She lives in Iowa. Is there something I can do to find people businesses, etc. that would donate 1 1/2 yd pieces of cotton fabric and fiberfil so she could continue to do this?

    1. Where does your mother live? i have fabric pieces that could be used for quilts etc. as I no longer do much sewing and would be willing to mail some thing to her. Does it have to be in 1 1/2 pieces or are smaller scraps OK?

    2. Where does your mother live? i have fabric pieces that could be used for quilts etc. as I no longer do much sewing and would be willing to mail some thing to her. Does it have to be in 1 1/2 pieces or are smaller scraps OK?

  32. H2opoloprincess16

    The Painted Turtle is a camp for children with chronic and life threatening illnesses in California started by Paul Newman that is free of charge. They give every child a turtle pillow and blanket (both of which come from donations). Any craft supplies, paint, foam, wood, etc can always be used for the crafts and projects the campers make!

  33. I have several boxes of floral stems, fall stems & craft picks along with Christmas stems & craft picks. Any idea where these can be donated to.

  34. ANother organization to donate to would be the ASPCA, or your local animal shelter, they can always use things made with yarn, such as toys, blankets, etc.

  35. I, too am cleaning out. Most of my stuff, however, are books and instructions gleaned over the years, many in file folders, and unsorted. Can anybody think of somewhere I can give these away now? Seems the internet and postings by so many talented people has practically made craft instructions on paper pretty much obsolete. Any help appreciated
    Thanks.
    Terri T.

  36. Pingback: Where To Donate Art Supplies Maryland - woodstream studio

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