Why Nonprofit Partnerships Matter

The Bra Recyclers began with a simple belief: when you see a need, you can hope someone else responds—or you can choose to do something.

The Need We Could Not Ignore

When I founded The Bra Recyclers, I saw something that stayed with me.

Women and girls were entering shelters, transitional programs, domestic violence organizations, and human trafficking recovery programs with very little. In many cases, they lacked basic undergarments, and the organizations supporting them often did not have enough on hand to meet the need.

That is when I realized there were two choices: hope someone else would do something about it, or decide to do something myself.

I chose to act.

What began as a way to keep reusable bras out of landfills quickly became something more. It became a way to connect items with people who could use them, support trusted nonprofit organizations, and create a more responsible next chapter for products that still had life left in them.

— Elaine Birks-Mitchell, Founder & CEO

Turning Reuse Into Community Impact

From the beginning, nonprofit partnerships have helped us connect responsible reuse with real community need.

When bras still have useful life left, they may have an opportunity for a better next chapter. Through relationships built over many years, The Bra Recyclers has supported nonprofit and community organizations serving women, girls, families, students, breast cancer survivors, and others facing hardship.

These partnerships are about more than passing along products. They help keep reusable textiles in circulation, support organizations already doing trusted work in their communities, and turn recycling into meaningful social impact.

For organizations with environmental, social responsibility, or community-impact goals, partnering with The Bra Recyclers can also support textile diversion, community engagement, and more responsible stewardship.

That is what People • Planet • Purpose looks like in action.

Why We Work With Nonprofits

Nonprofit organizations are often closest to the people and communities experiencing the greatest need.

They understand the challenges their clients face, build trusted relationships, and know how to provide support with care and dignity. By working with established community partners, The Bra Recyclers can help suitable items reach organizations already doing meaningful work.

These relationships also help us better understand changing needs, identify service gaps, and continue building more responsible reuse pathways.

Community Knowledge

Partners understand the needs of the people they serve.
Trusted Connections

They have established relationships within their communities.
Meaningful Impact

They help suitable items reach people in thoughtful and practical ways.

Partnership in Action

Strong partnerships are built on trust, shared purpose, and a commitment to meeting real community needs.

In this video, Ashley Hill, founder of Magdalena’s Daughters, shares how partnering with The Bra Recyclers and The Undie Chest supports nonprofit organizations and helps create meaningful impact for the people they serve.

Ashley Hill, Founder of Magdalena’s Daughters

Magdalena’s Daughters supports vulnerable youth in foster care and works to combat human trafficking by creating safety, hope, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Ashley brings extensive experience working with foster youth and young people affected by sexual exploitation.

From One Need to a Broader Mission

As The Bra Recyclers grew, we began working with larger retailers that wanted to contribute new inventory while also potentially receiving the tax benefits available for qualified charitable donations. We recognized that creating a separate nonprofit organization could help us build more of those partnerships and increase the number of essential items reaching communities.

But the most important turning point came in the form of an email from a teacher.

She reached out about a sixth-grade student who needed a bra in a size that was difficult to find locally and too costly for her family. As we learned more, we discovered that the student also lacked appropriate underwear.

We sent a carefully prepared package to the school. The change in the student’s confidence the next day made the need impossible to ignore. That story helped inspire The Undie Chest and its work with Title I schools through the Everyone Deserves Underwear program.

Today, The Bra Recyclers and The Undie Chest work side by side in different but connected ways: creating responsible reuse and recycling pathways, expanding opportunities for retailers to participate, and helping communities access essential undergarments.

One email revealed a need. One decision helped build a broader pathway for dignity.

Read Teacher's Full Story

Learn More About The Undie Chest

Our Community Reach

Over the years, The Bra Recyclers has built relationships with nonprofit and community organizations serving people across many different circumstances and stages of life.

Through these partnerships, suitable items have supported shelters, transitional programs, schools, community organizations, breast cancer survivors, foster youth, and individuals rebuilding their lives.

Each partnership looks a little different, but the purpose remains the same: helping useful products continue their journey while supporting organizations already doing trusted work in their communities.

140+
Nonprofit and community partners

29 States
Communities reached across the United States

8 Countries
Support extending beyond our borders

Behind every number is a partnership helping strengthen confidence, dignity, and access to essential items.

Looking for Support for Your Organization?

If your organization is seeking new undergarments, school support, or other community assistance, The Undie Chest is the best place to learn about available programs and next steps.

Visit The Undie Chest