Do Charities Take Old Postcards?
If you have a collection of old postcards gathering dust in a drawer or attic, you may be wondering if charities accept them as donations. Many people collect postcards as souvenirs, artistic expressions, or nostalgic keepsakes, but over time, these collections can become overwhelming or lose their sentimental value. Rather than throwing them away, you might want to find a charitable organization that can make good use of them. The answer to whether charities accept old postcards is not straightforward—it depends on the organization, the condition of the postcards, and whether there is a market for them. Some charities actively collect and sell vintage postcards to raise funds, while others might use them in crafting projects, educational programs, or as part of outreach efforts. Understanding how your old postcards can be repurposed for a good cause is key to ensuring they go to the right place rather than simply ending up in a landfill.
Donating Old Postcards: Where and How to Give Them a Purpose
Why Would Charities Accept Old Postcards?
Many people are surprised to learn that old postcards can have value beyond personal sentiment. Vintage and antique postcards are often sought after by collectors, historians, and artists, making them a potentially valuable resource for fundraising. Charities that operate thrift stores, such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army, sometimes accept postcard donations if they have a way to resell them. Some organizations specialize in vintage and antique goods, running online shops or auctions to generate income for their causes. Additionally, postcards with historical significance—those depicting landmarks, famous people, or major events—can be especially desirable to collectors, which means that even if they seem like simple paper keepsakes, they might fetch a reasonable price when sold. Beyond fundraising, charities that focus on arts, education, or mental health may use postcards in creative projects, engaging communities in ways that repurpose these items into something meaningful. For instance, schools and educational nonprofits may use old postcards as learning tools, allowing students to explore geography, history, or different cultures. Art programs may cut up postcards for collages or mixed-media projects, giving them new life in the hands of young creatives. Nursing homes and community centers may use postcards to spark memories for elderly residents, particularly those with dementia, as familiar places and images can trigger positive recollections.
Which Charities Accept Old Postcards?
Although not all charities accept postcard donations, there are several that actively seek them or have been known to repurpose them in different ways. One example is Postcards for the Troops, an initiative in which blank postcards are sent to deployed military personnel so they can write home to their families. While this usually requires unused postcards, some organizations may accept older ones if they are still in good condition. Oxfam, a well-known charity, often accepts donations of vintage items, including postcards, which they resell in their charity shops or online. Some smaller nonprofit organizations, such as animal rescue groups and historical societies, may also take postcard donations if they can sell them to raise funds. Additionally, some charities operate recycling and upcycling programs where postcards can be repurposed into new items like greeting cards, bookmarks, or framed artwork for fundraising purposes. If you’re considering donating your postcards, it’s best to check with local thrift stores, antique shops that donate profits to charity, or specific nonprofits that work with collectibles.
How to Donate Your Old Postcards
Before donating your postcards, it’s important to assess their condition and sort them accordingly. Charities will be more likely to accept postcards that are clean, intact, and free from excessive damage. If you have vintage postcards that may be valuable, consider checking online marketplaces such as eBay or specialized postcard collector groups to see if they might be worth more when sold privately. Some charities may even prefer that you sell them independently and donate the proceeds instead. If you have a large collection, it may also be useful to separate them into categories, such as unused versus written-on postcards, modern versus vintage, or local versus international scenes. This helps organizations determine how best to use them. Once you’ve sorted through your collection, reach out to charities directly to ask if they accept postcards. Some may have restrictions on what they can take, while others might be thrilled to receive a unique and interesting donation. If your local charities do not accept postcards, you can explore online platforms like Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace, where people looking for craft supplies or collectibles may be interested in taking them off your hands.
Alternative Ways to Repurpose Old Postcards
If you’re unable to find a charity that will accept your old postcards, don’t throw them away just yet—there are plenty of creative ways to give them a new purpose. Many people use old postcards for DIY projects, such as making personalized greeting cards, scrapbooking, or even wall art. Framing vintage postcards with beautiful imagery can create unique home decor pieces, especially if they feature historic buildings, travel destinations, or artistic illustrations. If you enjoy journaling, old postcards can serve as an interesting addition to travel diaries or memory books. Another option is to participate in postcard exchange programs, such as Postcrossing, where people from all over the world send and receive postcards as part of a global pen-pal system. Some artists also use old postcards as canvases for new artwork, painting or drawing over them to create unique mixed-media pieces. Even if you cannot find a charity that directly accepts postcards, thinking outside the box can help ensure they are reused in meaningful and sustainable ways.
Final Thoughts: Should You Donate Your Old Postcards?
Ultimately, whether you donate your old postcards depends on their condition, the demand for them, and the willingness of charities to accept them. While not all nonprofits will take postcard donations, many can find creative ways to use them, whether for fundraising, art projects, or historical education. If you’re passionate about giving your old postcards a second life while supporting a good cause, take the time to research organizations that might benefit from them, or consider selling them and donating the proceeds. Even if charities aren’t interested, repurposing them through crafts, journaling, or exchanging them with others can ensure that they don’t go to waste. Instead of letting them sit unused in a drawer or throwing them away, explore ways to make your old postcards valuable to someone else—whether through a charitable cause, a creative project, or a collector’s hands.