Giving Back Through Your Closet: Best Charities for Business Attire Donations

For job seekers rebuilding their lives, professional attire is a transformational tool. According to a survey cited by Dress for Success, 90% of women feel more confident after receiving the right attire for an interview. Your donation closes the gap between possibility and employment, especially for marginalized groups like veterans and survivors of domestic violence.

Consider donating to a clothing donation box. Your gently used professional clothing could give you the confidence to step out into your next opportunity. Many communities have donation boxes where you can easily drop off items, making it convenient to support those in need.

Top Charities Accepting Business Attire

1. Tailored for Success (Boston): Offers "Career Closets" across four locations, providing free suits and styling advice. Appointments are required for job seekers.

2. Wardrobe for Opportunity (Bay Area): Supports low-income individuals with clothing and career coaching. Drop-offs are accepted at multiple locations.

3. Working Wardrobes (California): Hosts donation drives and offers pickup services for professional clothing.

What to Donate (and Avoid)

Most needed items:

• Men’s and women’s suits in neutral colors

• Dress shoes and professional accessories (ties, belts)

• New undergarments (often requested but rarely donated).

Avoid: Stained, torn, or overly casual items like t-shirts.

Maximizing Your Impact

• Host a drive: Companies like Working Wardrobes provide toolkits for organizing workplace collections.

• Donate seasonally: Spring and fall are ideal for refreshing Career Closet inventories.

• Include extras: Some programs, like Springfield’s Career Closet, welcome travel-sized hygiene products.

Your Donation’s Journey

From closet to career:

1. Sorting: Items are inspected for quality.

2. Styling: Recipients work with volunteers to build outfits.

3. Success: Clients gain employment—like the 1,400+ served by WEAVE to Work.