Guides
Practical answers to the questions the directory cannot
The directory tells you which programs exist and where. These guides cover the part that trips people up: when programs actually accept donations, what condition items need to be in, and what to do when nothing is nearby. Everything here is written from the 99 programs in our directory, plus each program's own published rules.
How to Donate Halloween Costumes
Most Halloween donations arrive too late to be used. When to donate, what condition costumes need to be in, and where to send them.
Read the guideWhere to Donate Dance Costumes
We re-checked every dance program in this directory. Two had stopped operating and others do not take costumes at all. Who is still collecting, and what they require.
Read the guideWhere to Donate Prom Dresses
Most programs collect year-round, not just in spring. But a dress more than about five years old is usually refused no matter how good it looks. What gets accepted, and where.
Read the guideHow to Prepare Costumes for Donation
Programs turn away more donations than people realize, almost always for reasons the donor could have fixed. Compiled from the published policies of eight programs.
Read the guideHow We Verify Programs
What each verification tier means, what we check and what we cannot, and what happens to a listing when a program closes.
Read the guideMore guides are in progress, covering the costume donation calendar, tax deductions, and how to find free costumes for your own family.