Competition for retail donations is high. Follow these tips to ensure your request stands out:
If you haven’t heard back within two weeks, a polite follow-up call or email is appropriate. However, be respectful of their time—retail managers are busy!
| Risk / Limitation | Impact Level | Mitigation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | No centralized online application | High | Shift focus to local store outreach first. | | Brand ownership changes (SPARC) | Medium | Verify current leadership via LinkedIn or local mall office. | | High volume of requests to stores | Medium | Emphasize mutual benefit (brand visibility, tax receipt). | | In-kind only – no cash | Low | Plan clothing distribution logistics (storage, sorting). |
Aeropostale's commitment to giving back to the community is evident through their various philanthropic initiatives. By following their donation guidelines and submitting a well-crafted request, organizations and individuals in need may be able to secure support from this retailer. Remember to align your mission with Aeropostale's values, clearly articulate your needs, and demonstrate a strong track record to increase the likelihood of a successful donation request.
While Aeropostale is unlikely to provide cash grants, they are moderately responsive to local, in-kind clothing donation requests, particularly for organizations supporting high school students, job readiness, or foster youth. Success requires targeting the correct channel (local store manager vs. corporate) and aligning the request with their brand identity.
If you are looking to secure an for your upcoming event, you need to understand the proper channels, timelines, and eligibility requirements.
Historically, this high-profile campaign encouraged students to collect and donate gently used jeans to local homeless shelters in exchange for store discounts.
Aéropostale does not currently offer a public, centralized online portal for individual donation requests. Instead, support is typically funneled through their major national partners. However, there are still ways for local organizations to seek assistance: 1. Local Store Inquiries
| Retailer | Donation Type | Application Process | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Gift cards, clothing | Online form (AE Foundation) | | Hollister / Abercrombie | Gift cards | In-store request to manager | | Old Navy | Clothing, cash grants | Old Navy Community Giving portal | | Kohl’s | Cash, gift cards | Kohl’s Cares online application |