Everything You Need to Know About Making A Donation

Thank you for your interest in partnering with Dress for Success Greater New York City.  This page provides you with everything you need to know about making a donation to Dress for Success Greater New York City.

Donation Drive Success Toolkit

In person donations and corporate drives are temporarily paused due to the closing of our warehouse facility. Donors are asked not to drop off and leave unattended donations at any of our locations during this time.


Corporate partners, Brand partners, Store partners, Local Boutiques, etc. looking to donate new products please email: newyork@dressforsuccess.org prior to shipping any items or call (718) 832-6201 Tuesday -Thursday 8am to 4pm



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I donate clothing to Dress for Success Greater New York City?

    Dress for Success Greater New York City is not accepting clothing donations at this time. Please check back for updates.

  • What types of clothing do you accept?

    Dress for Success Greater New York City works with women across the city to provide professional clothing for career focused appointments.  


    We recommend that donations be laundered or dry cleaned, free of ripping, tearing, stains, smells, pet hair, and must not have missing buttons, zippers, or ties, and in like-new condition.  Your donations help us provide our clients with everything they need to boost their confidence and feel great in the clothes they wear!  


    We also accept shoe donations in new or like new condition.

  • Does clothing need to be on hangers?

    We accept like new, or new clothing.  It does not need to be on hangers.

  • Do You Pick Up Clothing?

    Dress for Success Greater New York City accepts donations of professional clothing at our Queens Warehouse location.  We do not offer pick up services for clothing donations.

  • Does Dress for Success have men's clothing?

    Dress for Success Greater New York City works with women across the city to provide professional clothing for career focused appointments. We do not accept men's clothing.  

  • How can my organization hold a clothing drive?

    The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of  support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.


    A donation drive can be focused on gift cards, accessories, cash, or apparel. 


    We accept donations of nearly new, contemporary, seasonal apparel, shoes, handbags and jewelry. Our great need are basic  staples (white shirts and black pants).  We also have a need for clothing for individuals seeking to join the healthcare professionals industry (scrubs, nursing shoes).


    *We do not accept* 

    sweatshirts • sweatpants • running shoes • bathrobes • sleepwear • athletic attire •formal wear /party wear • menswear • jeans • sandals • children’s clothing •swimwear • shorts • opened /used toiletries, cosmetics, grooming and hygiene products 


    Click Here to View the Dress for Success Greater New York City Donation Drive Tool Kit.



  • Do you provide donation or collection bins?

    We do not provide bins or boxes for donations.

  • Do you accept monetary donations?

    Yes.  During your donation drive donors who do not wish to donate clothes may make a monetary donation to Dress for Success New York City.  To make a monetary donation, click here.

  • How can I make a referral to Dress for Success Greater New York City?

    Our Career Center, located in Manhattan, works with women who are unemployed or underemployed and working to build their career pathways. 


    Community based organizations or agencies should use this link to make 'partner referrals.' 


    Please note that due to the large volume of service requests it may take up to two weeks for a professional styling appointment.  Please keep this in mind when requesting appointments or making referrals.

Together We Do More

Donating to Dress for Success is a rewarding and meaningful experience that can have a huge impact on the lives of those in need. Dress for Success provides professional clothing, career guidance, and job placement assistance to unemployed and underemployed women, helping them to secure and retain meaningful employment. By donating to this organization, you are helping to empower women to become financially independent and to gain the confidence they need to be successful in their careers. Furthermore, your donation helps to support the organization's mission of providing equal access to economic opportunities and promoting workplace equality. Your donation will help to give someone the opportunity to pursue their dreams and live a life of financial security and stability.

Suggestions for Donation Drives

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    Motivational or Professional Development Books

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    Metro Card Collection 

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    Refurbished Equipment (Laptops, Tablets, Phones)

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    New Gift Cards, Gift Cards with Balance

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    First Week of Work Bags

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    Lyft Gift Cards 

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    Uber Gift Cards

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First Week Bags

Welcome to our "First Week Bags" initiative! First week bags are an amazing resource for the women we serve.


I remember feeling so excited and a little nervous on my first day of work. To help make sure that our clients have what they need for their first day, we suggest our donors put together a collection of items that could be useful to them. These could include things like a notebook, pen, a few extra copies of their resume, an umbrella, water bottle, mints or breath fresheners and perhaps a few other items. These are just a few suggestions - have fun creating a bag with 'a little bit of your experience in it!"  Having these items on hand would be a great way to give them the confidence they need to start their first day feeling prepared and ready to go!


Here are some items that I think would make great additions to the bags:


  • Stationery, like pens, pencils, and note pads
  • Journals and planners to help keep track of the new tasks and roles
  • A water bottle to stay hydrated
  • A couple of snacks to keep energy levels up
  • A few self-care items like facial masks, scented lotions, chapstick, and body spray 
  • An inspirational book or two
  • A notebook or two for taking notes
  • An umbrella or sunscreen if needed
  • A travel mug for hot beverages
  • USB Drive

I'm sure these items will be a great help - we can't wait to partner with you to help our women reach their greatest potential! Thank you!


If you are interested in sponsoring a "first week bag,"  each bag costs approximately $32.00.  If you would like to donate for first week bags please click the donate button below.

Donate Money for First Week Bags

Gift Cards

Absolutely, a gift card collection sounds like a great idea! Gift cards can be especially helpful for those with unique needs, as they can use them to purchase the exact items they need. It's also a great way to support local businesses, and help ensure our clients have the resources they need. We can also use your "unwanted," or cards with balances remaining.

Transportation Support

Purchase Metro Cards, Uber, or Lyft Cards to Support Transportation to Employment Appointments


We understand that transportation can be a financial burden, and that this is especially true when someone is transitioning into a new role. We are committed to making this transition easier for our women, and are pleased to provide MetroCards to help alleviate some of the financial burden. We also use Uber or Lyft services when appropriate and gift cards for these services are very helpful.  We appreciate your support and thank you for helping us provide this resource to our women.

Donate for Transportation

Refurbished Equipment

Does your organization have the ability to refurbish laptops or tablets?  Our learners work very hard to acquire new career skills and often lack access to the tools they need like laptops or tablets to be successful.  Please consider donating refurbished laptops or tablets for our learners.

Professional Development Resources

Professional development books are a great way to educate, inform, and motivate readers.  Our women are always interested in learning more.  You can collect professional development resources, including bookstore gift cards, that we can give to women to increase their knowledge and strategically position them for success.

Donation Lifecycle

Dress for Success Greater NYC Clothing Donation Life Cycle

 

The clothing donation life cycle refers to the process by which clothing is donated, processed, and distributed by Dress for Success Greater NYC for our clients, our partners, or for other charitable purposes. It typically includes the following stages: 


Donation: This is the initial stage where individuals, organizations, or brands donate clothing to Dress for Success Greater NYC and is received at our warehouse.


Sorting: The donated clothing is then sorted and categorized according to its condition, quality, and type of clothing.


Processing: The sorted clothing is then placed into inventory ready to be sent to one of our Career Centers. Some items are designated for one of our many community partners who provide clothing via a clothing closet, or directly to at risk populations. 


Distribution: The processed clothing is distributed to our Career Center for clients with an appointment for a Professional Career Styling appointment. 


Use: The clothing is then used by our clients for either interview attire or for employment wear.  


Recycling: Finally, clothing that is not usable is recycled to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. 


Discover how your corporation can gain a competitive edge in the realm of corporate social responsibility (CSR) through volunteering at Dress for Success Warehouse. By actively participating in the Clothing Donation Life Cycle, your company can make a profound impact on the lives of individuals seeking economic independence and

empowerment.


Click For Clothing Donation Lifecycle

Letter Writing Campaigns

Gather a group of employees to write encouraging and inspirational notes to the women served by Dress for Success New York City!


Happiness is the joy we feel when striving for our full potential.  Research shows that positive emotions broaden the amount of possibilities we process, making us more thoughtful, creative, and open to new ideas.  We literally are better able to see more of what's  around when we are feeling supported and happy.  


Letter writing campaigns have great value for both the person writing the letter and the person receiving the letter.


Research shows that positive emotions, such as happiness, can broaden our thought processes and cognitive abilities, broaden our attention and cognitive processes, and lead to increased creativity, problem-solving abilities, and a more expansive worldview. Positive emotions help build personal resources, such as resilience and social support, that can help us cope with stress and adversity.  Sharing and receiving words of encouragement, support, and inspiration has great impact!  Thank you for your support and helping Dress for Success change lives every day!

More Info On Letter Writing

The Value of Collective Partnerships

Collective Impact

The Collective Impact philosophy is a framework to achieve large-scale social change. It involves working together across sectors—including government, business, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector—to address a complex social issue. It relies on the alignment of resources, data, and stakeholders to create a shared agenda, engage in collective action, and achieve measurable results. Through Collective Impact, we can make progress on social issues that are too complex to be solved by any one organization alone.

We Value Sustainability

Dress for Success New York City is committed to sustainability, and we are proud to work with regional providers that recycle clothing and materials from clothing that cannot be used. We know that these partnerships provide the greatest value to our clients and communities, and we are grateful for their support. Thank you for your interest in helping us ensure that our donations are used responsibly and for the benefit of our clients.


Find Us In Jamaica, New York

Dress for Success Greater New York City

Suits to Go Warehouse

184-10 Jamaica Ave.,

6th Floor Penthouse

Jamaica, New York 11423

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