RRQuilts

While I’ve made many quilts over the years, they were all made with the intention of keeping them or gifting them. However, I recently finished my first quilt that was intentionally made as a charity quilt. I used the awesome Bonanza pattern from Homemade Emily Jane and donated to The Welcome Blanket. Click over to Emily’s blog to read about my experience creating and donating this quilt as well as three tips for charity projects!

I know that many of us have more quilts laying around than we know what to do with (myself included!). I wanted to have a list of ways and places to donate at the ready that I can donate a project to that I don’t need and haven’t planned to gift. After some research, I’ve come up with this list, highlighting both local and national charities. I hope this helps you when looking for a home for your next project!

Before you donate

Be sure to carefully read any requirements that the charity may have for your donation. Many organizations accept quilts and blankets of any material and size, but this isn’t always the case. Depending on the intended use and recipient of the quilt, there may be specific size, material, labeling, or quilting requirements. There may also be specific requirements about washing your finished quilt. Many organizations working directly with hospitals have very specific requirements to ensure that items are safe for the patient and appropriate for hospital conditions. Be sure to respect the guidelines of the organization you plan to donate to so that your donated quilt.

1. ReStart Augusta

   This organization is local to me works with community volunteers to build and distribute beds to families in the Augusta, GA area and have donated 2,800 beds so far to over 1,200 families. They build beds and acquire mattresses and linens for families making a new start. They accept quilt donations for twin and queen size quilts.

2. Project Linus

   I honestly wasn’t very familiar with Project Linus, though I had heard of them before. In looking into them, I began to realize how ingrained the chapters are in the local community. I looked up my local chapter and see that they work directly with the children’s hospital, homeless shelters, local funeral homes, YMCA, and many other local organizations. I will definitely reach out to them next time I have a quilt to donate since I know it will go to comfort a child in my community. Look up your local chapter on the Project Linus website.

3. Quilts for Foster Care

   While there are many organizations dedicated to giving quilts to children in foster care. My Very Own Blanket distributes handmade blankets to children in foster care. They are based in Westerville, Ohio, but work with foster care agencies in every state. Quilt For A Child pairs makers with specific children, so kids receive a truly personal item. Check with your local agency to see if they are able to distribute quilts.

4. Quilts for Kids

   Quilts for Kids donates quilts to kids in hospitals, shelters, affected by natural disaster, or experiencing another form of trauma. They are based in Pennsylvania, but distribute quilts to organizations across the country.

5. Quilts of Valor

   Quilts of Valor awards veterans with donated quilts. Because of the importance and meaning behind these quilts, they have some specific size, color, and design requirements. Be sure to read up on the requirements when planning to donate a quilt via QOV.

6. The Giving Quilt

   The Giving Quilt collects and distributes quilts to organizations and institutions across the country. Their recipients range from crisis care centers to domestic violence shelters to NICU units.

7. Silent Auctions

   Many charities will host a silent auction or a live auction to raise funds for their cause. Consider donating a quilt to a local organization that is hosting a fundraiser. Donating this way will help ensure that your quilt benefits the organization and that the money raised stays in your local community!

8. Hospitals

   Check your local hospital, cancer center, nursing home, or other medical care organization to see if there is quilt donation program in your community. In a quilty Facebook group, someone specifically recommended Indiana Comfort Care Quilting which donates quilts as comfort items for trauma patients.

Do you know of another organization or way to donate quilts? Let me know about it in the comments! I will try to keep this up to date as I learn of new organizations that accept quilt donations!