We accept donations on behalf of our charity partners, sell the items in our store, and then disburse the proceeds. When donating with us you can select which charity should benefit from the sale of your items.
Community Thrift store was founded in 1982 as a grassroots effort to raise funds for organizations focused on support and advocacy for people affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. We have since expanded to work with over 200 diverse charitable organizations. Our charity partners have varied missions, from preserving the environment to empowering women and minorities, but they all work to enrich the Bay Area in a meaningful way.
Arts
Education
Health
Animals
Social Impact
Religious Orgs
Environmental
Hunger and Homelessness
AIDS/HIV
LGBTQ
Women’s Orgs
Children and Youth
Seniors and Veterans
Minority Empowerment
Community
Human Rights
In addition to partnering with over 200 Bay Area organization, Community Thrift Store is also a 501-(c)(3) nonprofit. If you are unsure which charity partner to dedicate your donation to, consider earmarking funds specifically for Community Thrift Store. Your direct support of Community Thrift can help defray operating costs such as building maintenance and donation pickups, and also enables us to employ community members who work hard to sort and organize donations and serve up thrifty finds!
We work with local charity partners to provide them with an additional revenue stream. Community members who may not be in a position to donate cash or time are empowered to support over 200 causes by donating gently used clothing or household items. Our shoppers are able to find everyday necessities and unique treasures at affordable prices.
We work with charitable organizations in the Bay Area that are registered with the IRS as a 501-(c)(3) charity. Community Thrift Store has a policy of non-discrimination and we only work with partners who are also non-discriminatory. Our charity partners have varied missions, from preserving the environment to empowering women and minorities, but they all work to enrich the Bay Area in a meaningful way.
Local organizations often receive offers of gently used clothing or household items, but they may not have the space or resources to accept such donations. When they partner with us they can encourage people to send donated items our way and when the donor selects their charity they will receive proceeds of the sale.
Over the years we have contributed millions of dollars to Bay Area organizations. In recent years, we contributed $507,000 in 2021, $529,000 in 2022, $500,000 in 2023, and $557,000 in 2024 to support local nonprofits across the Bay Area.
All partner organizations must be registered with the IRS as a 501-(c)(3). We ask that partners encourage their supporters to donate items to Community Thrift. If your organization is interested in becoming a charity partner please download an application packet.
If you are already a CTS Charity Partner and would like to learn more about how to make the most of fundraising with us, click here for charity partner best practices!
Social Impact