Where to find shelters that accept donations
The fastest way to find a shelter near you is to call 211 or visit 211.org and search by zip code. You will see a list of shelters in your area, their phone numbers, and often a note about what they need most right now. Call the shelter directly — staff can tell you whether they take donations, what form (money, goods, time), and whether they have a donation drop-off location or prefer you to mail things.
If you know a specific shelter's name, search "[shelter name] donate" or "[shelter name] donations" to find their website. Many shelters list donation needs on their homepage or have a donations page with instructions. Some use platforms like Amazon Wish List or GiveDirectly so you can send items without visiting in person.
Your city or county's housing authority website often lists shelters and their contact information. Local nonprofits that coordinate shelter services — sometimes called continuums of care — also maintain directories with donation contact details for each site.
Key Takeaways
- Call 211 or visit 211.org to find shelters near you and learn what they need most right now.
- Contact the shelter directly by phone to ask whether they accept donations, what form, and where to drop items off.
- Many shelters list specific needs on their website or use wish lists so you know what will actually be used.
- Money donations are often more useful than goods because shelters can buy what they need most, and you avoid items they cannot store or use.
- Some shelters do not accept walk-in donations for safety and storage reasons, so always ask before showing up with items.
Types of donations shelters actually need
Shelters have different needs depending on their size, the people they serve, and their storage space. Before you donate anything, ask the shelter what they need. A shelter serving families with children needs different things than one serving single adults, and a 50-bed facility has different storage limits than a 200-bed one.
Common needs include: socks and underwear (new, in packages), toiletries (travel-size shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant), blankets, pillows, towels, non-perishable food, and hygiene products. Some shelters need bus passes, phone cards, or gift cards to grocery stores. Others need office supplies, cleaning products, or linens. Many shelters cannot accept used clothing because of storage and laundry capacity, so ask first.
Money donations are often the most useful because the shelter can buy exactly what they need when they need it, without storage constraints. If you donate money, ask whether the shelter prefers a one-time gift or a monthly recurring donation, and whether they have a website where you can give online or a mailing address for checks.
How to give money directly to a shelter
Most shelters accept cash donations by mail, check, or online payment. Call the shelter and ask for the mailing address and the name to write on the check. Ask whether they have a website with a donate button — many use platforms like PayPal, Stripe, or Donorbox so you can give online with a credit card.
Some shelters are part of larger nonprofit organizations, which means donations may go through the parent organization's website rather than the shelter's own. The shelter staff can direct you to the right place. If you want your donation to go to a specific shelter, write the shelter's name in the memo line of the check or note it in the online donation form.
Ask whether the shelter is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit so you know whether your donation is tax-deductible. The shelter can provide their tax ID number if you need it for your records.
Donating goods: what to know before you buy
Before you buy items to donate, call the shelter and ask what they need, whether they have space to store donations, and whether they prefer you to drop items off or mail them. Some shelters have limited storage and cannot accept large quantities of goods. Others have specific rules about what they can accept for safety or health reasons.
Buy new items when possible — socks, underwear, toiletries, and blankets should be unused and in original packaging. If you donate used clothing, make sure it is clean and in good condition. Avoid items that are broken, stained, or missing pieces, because shelters do not have the time or resources to sort through damaged goods.
Do not donate items without asking first, even if you think they are useful. A shelter may not have room for a box of canned food, or they may have dietary restrictions you do not know about. Calling ahead takes five minutes and ensures your donation will actually be used instead of thrown away.
Volunteering time instead of money or goods
Many shelters need volunteers to serve meals, sort donations, help with intake, or provide services like haircuts or job coaching. Call the shelter and ask whether they have volunteer opportunities, what the time commitment is, and whether they require training or a background check. Some shelters need regular weekly volunteers; others take one-time help during busy seasons.
Volunteering is a way to donate your time and skills directly. If you have experience in a specific area — nursing, counseling, job training, legal help — ask whether the shelter needs those skills. Some shelters partner with professionals who donate a few hours a month.
Corporate and group donations
If you work for a company or belong to a group (church, club, school), ask whether your organization has a giving program. Many employers match employee donations or have a budget for community giving. Some companies donate goods directly — a grocery store might donate food near its expiration date, or a clothing retailer might donate overstock.
Contact the shelter's development or donations coordinator (ask for them by phone) to discuss what a group donation might look like. They can tell you whether they need a large donation of one item or a mix of smaller gifts, and whether they can provide a tax receipt for your organization's records.
What happens to your donation
Money donations go into the shelter's operating budget to pay for rent, utilities, staff, food, and services. Shelters are often underfunded, so money donations directly support the day-to-day work of keeping the shelter open and safe.
Goods donations are distributed to residents or stored for future use. Toiletries and socks are usually given out when ready. Blankets and pillows are used in resident rooms. Food donations are used in the shelter's kitchen or distributed to residents. The shelter's staff decide how to use donations based on what residents need most at that moment.
If you give money, you will usually receive a receipt by mail or email for your records. If you give goods, the shelter may not send a receipt, but you can ask for one if you need it for tax purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I donate used clothing or only new items?
Ask the shelter first. Some accept clean, gently used clothing; others only take new items because of laundry and storage limits. Used clothing in good condition is usually acceptable, but stained, torn, or damaged items are not. New socks and underwear are almost always needed and appreciated.
What if I want to donate but do not have money or items to give?
Ask about volunteering. Shelters need help serving meals, sorting donations, cleaning, and providing services. You can also ask whether the shelter accepts donations of time — some let you sponsor a meal or a supply order without buying the items yourself.
Do I get a tax deduction for donating to a shelter?
Only if the shelter is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Ask the shelter for their tax ID number and request a receipt for your donation. Keep the receipt for your tax records. If you are unsure whether a shelter is a nonprofit, ask them directly or search their name on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool.
Can I donate items without calling first?
You can, but calling first is better. Many shelters do not accept walk-in donations for safety and storage reasons. Calling takes five minutes and ensures your donation will be used instead of turned away or thrown out.
What if the shelter says they do not need donations right now?
Ask when they might need donations again, or whether you can give money instead of goods. Some shelters have seasonal needs — more blankets in winter, more sunscreen in summer. Others are always short on money even when they have enough physical items. Money is almost never turned down.