Wedding dresses have sentimental value.You only wear it once, and then put it in a closet.There are a number of options available to you if you want to part with your wedding dress.You can donate to charities that accept wedding dresses.
Step 1: What kind of organization do you want to support?
Every charitable organization supports a different cause.Breast cancer, military wives, and everyday people who can't afford wedding dresses are some of the causes that you can support by donating a wedding dress.
Step 2: Different types of donations.
The profits from the sale of your wedding dress will be used to benefit a cause, such as Brides Against Breast Cancer.On the other hand, other organizations will collect dresses to give to people in need.You should choose based on what's important to you.Many places that resell wedding dresses do so at a reduced cost and benefit low-income families.
Step 3: You can try a thrift store.
Many thrift stores accept donations of any kind.Many people cannot afford to shop at high-end stores for their weddings, so they are happy to accept donations of wedding dresses.
Step 4: Look at the national organizations.
A lot of national organizations take wedding dresses.These organizations resell dresses to make money.It is possible to try organizations such as Brides for a Cause.
Step 5: You can check for local stores.
You can donate wedding dresses to a local store.The dresses will be free or at a reduced cost for low-income people in your area.
Step 6: You should check for nonprofit status.
The federal government grants nonprofit status to most legitimate charities.The designation 501(c)(3) is given to nonprofits.Sometimes, people will put together drives for a charity without having the designation themselves, which is still legitimate.You can find this information on the IRS website.You can find out which charities are allowed to accept donations.
Step 7: Ask a few questions.
Legitimate charities will be happy to give you information about their mission, where donations will go, and the costs associated with the donation.The organization you are dealing with may not be a legitimate charity if you ask a few questions.
Step 8: You can research the charity on the internet.
Take some time to look up the charity on the internet.Adding "sCAM" to the name of the charity is more likely to bring up negative information about the organization.
Step 9: The rules should be checked.
There are a lot of rules about donations.Most places prefer to dry clean the dress first.The dress needs to be new in many places.Wedding dresses from the last 5 years are generally accepted by Brides for a Cause.
Step 10: It needs to be dry cleaned.
It's a good idea to have your wedding dress cleaned before you give it away.Before it uses your donation, the organization has to do very little.You can point out stains to the dry cleaner by checking for major stains.
Step 11: Check for tears.
Before handing it over, make sure the dress isn't damaged.Good repair dresses are preferred by most organizations.If you find a small rip, try to get a seamstress to repair it.
Step 12: Not every gown will be accepted.
Some organizations may not be able to accept yours due to space limitations.The same goes for both.You may want to line up a second place to donate your gown.
Step 13: Drop off or mail your donation.
Drop it off at your charity once your dress is ready.You can get a receipt for your dress to be used for taxes, but you will need to fill out the cost of the dress yourself.If your charity isn't local, pack it up and ship it in.