The Princess Project is a California 501(c)(3) that provides free prom dresses and accessories to high school teens unable to afford formalwear, operating through four chapters in San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Sonoma. The organization accepts gently used dresses less than five years old that are dry-cleaned and stain-free, along with shoes, jewelry, handbags, and unopened makeup. Donations can be made in person at chapter events or by mail to the San Diego headquarters PO Box 600761. The Princess Project has served thousands of California teens annually since its founding, with each $25 financial donation supporting one teen through dress giveaway events held primarily in late winter and spring.
Feb-Apr is when The Princess Project runs its giveaway, meaning the window when students shop for a dress, not necessarily a donation deadline. Formalwear programs commonly accept donations year round even though they distribute in a narrow spring window, and the most useful time to donate is right after prom, when dresses are current and in good condition. Confirm intake timing with the program before you drive over.
No. The Princess Project collects drop-off or collection event and serves California (chapters: San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Sonoma). If you are outside that area, look for a program closer to you, or use one of the 7 programs in this directory that accept mail-in donations from anywhere.
The Princess Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations to registered charities are generally tax deductible if you itemize, and the organization can issue a receipt. Ask them directly for their EIN and a written acknowledgement if you plan to claim the donation on your taxes.
This listing is marked Community-reported and was last reviewed on May 18, 2026. That means the program was reported to us or found in secondary coverage and we could not fully confirm it through primary sources. Treat these details as a starting point and contact them first. Programs change hours, addresses, and intake windows without notice, so check their own site before you travel or ship.