What Note in the Pocket does

Note in the Pocket is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by Durham County kindergarten teacher Margaret Symonds and her mother, and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2011. The organization provides quality new and gently used clothing, shoes, and laundry detergent to homeless and impoverished children and their families across Wake and Durham counties in North Carolina. Its core offering is the Mini-Wardrobe, a personalized package containing socks, underwear, shoes, two weeks' worth of tops and bottoms, and seasonally appropriate outerwear for the entire family, distributed free of charge exclusively through a referral network anchored by school social workers and partner agencies such as InterAct, First In Families of NC, StepUp Ministry, The Carying Place, Family Promise of the Triangle, and Lucy Daniels Center. Distribution is supported by two volunteer processing centers in Raleigh (a 29,000-square-foot facility opened 2021) and Durham (opened January 2024), supplemented by Pocket Pop Up mobile distribution events (57 hosted since 2020) and a Mobile Volunteer Program that brings processing to corporate sites for a $2,500 fee.

The business is supported by 1-10 paid staff and a 9,935-volunteer workforce that contributed 41,820 hours in 2025, processing 497,109 pounds of clothing and delivering 251,970 items to 11,000+ children and adults in 2025 (75,000+ since 2013). Revenue is generated through five streams: individual donations (one-time plus a Confidence Club monthly recurring program at $20/month); event fundraising (Socks & Undie 5K Rundie in both counties, Sneaker Ball, Golf Fore Good Classic); a tiered Children's Society giving program ($1,000/$2,500/$5,000+ levels clothing 5/12/25 children annually); corporate Mobile Volunteer Program fees; foundation grants (notably a $250,000 SECU Foundation Hurricane Helene grant and a $314,295 Searstone award); and in-kind clothing donations. Charity Navigator standards, a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, and Better Business Bureau presence support donor credibility. The organization went through a leadership transition in early 2026, with founder-era ED Dallas Bonavita departing in February 2026, Michael Seaman serving as interim ED, and Megan Steinke-Chase (formerly of Save the Children) selected as permanent ED in June 2026.

Name

Note in the Pocket

Legal name

Note in the Pocket

Website

https://noteinthepocket.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Note in the Pocket is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free clothing Mini-Wardrobes to homeless and impoverished children and families across Wake and Durham counties, North Carolina, through a referral network of schools and social service agencies, supported by 99%+ volunteer operations and individual, corporate, and foundation donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit clothing distribution and social services

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Closet, Dresser & Clothing Organization (HSAFAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Clothing Categorization, Folding & Drawer Organization (HSAFABAD)

Keywords

• Nonprofit clothing distribution
• Clothing insecurity services
• Community clothing assistance
• Children's clothing charity
• Referral-based clothing program

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Financial Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals. Monthly donor program called 'Confidence Club' where donors set up recurring gifts. Donations can be made online via credit card, bank draft, donor advised fund, or workplace giving.
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from annual events including Socks & Undie 5K Rundie (registration fees and sponsorships), Sneaker Ball (ticket sales and donations), and Golf Fore Good Classic tournament.
3. Children's Society Membership: Tiered giving program with three levels: Children's Benefactor Society ($5,000+), Children's Patron Society ($2,500+), and Children's Guardian Society ($1,000+). Includes event benefits and sponsorship recognition.
4. Clothing Donations (In-Kind): Accepts new and gently used clothing and shoes donated by individuals and organizations. These in-kind donations are processed and distributed to beneficiaries rather than sold.
5. Grants and Foundation Funding: Grant funding from organizations including SECU Foundation ($250,000 for Hurricane Helene relief), Searstone/Lutheran Services Carolinas, AJ Fletcher Foundation, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and Blackbaud Giving Fund.
6. Mobile Volunteer Program Fees: Corporate groups can host Mobile Volunteer Program events for $2,500 for groups up to 25 people, with $50 per additional person. Fee covers event logistics and supports clothing distribution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Note in the Pocket provides free, personalized clothing mini-wardrobes to homeless and impoverished children and families in North Carolina's Triangle region. Each mini-wardrobe includes new socks and underwear, shoes, multiple tops and bottoms sized for two weeks of outfits, seasonally appropriate outerwear, and laundry detergent, distributed through partner schools and social service agencies via a referral-based model. Beyond core clothing distribution, the organization runs volunteer processing programs, the Mobile Volunteer Program for corporate groups, Pocket Pop Up distribution events, and a portfolio of donor engagement and fundraising programs.

Product overview

Note in the Pocket is a nonprofit organization that operates as a single unified program providing quality clothing to homeless and impoverished children and families with dignity and love. The core offering centers on Mini-Wardrobes — complete clothing packages distributed through referral partnerships with schools and agencies. Supporting programs include volunteer processing operations at Raleigh and Durham centers, Mobile Volunteer Program (MVP) for off-site corporate events, Pocket Pop Up distribution events, and various donor engagement programs including the Confidence Club monthly giving, Children's Society tiered giving, and Fairy Godmother urgent-needs program. Fundraising initiatives include the annual Socks & Undie 5K Rundie held in both Wake and Durham counties. Youth leadership programs include the Teen Board for high school students and Community Board ambassadors. Clothing drives and wish list registries (Amazon/Target) enable community participation in collecting donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clothing Distribution Services and Mini-Wardrobes Free, personalized mini-wardrobes — including new socks and underwear, shoes, sufficient tops and bottoms for two weeks of outfits, seasonally appropriate outerwear, and laundry detergent — distributed to homeless and impoverished children and families through a referral-based intake model with school social workers and partner agencies.
• Referral Program Structured referral partnership program with school social workers and local agencies (WCPSS, Durham Public Schools, InterAct, First In Families of NC, StepUp Ministry, and 50+ others) where partner staff submit clothing requests and Note in the Pocket builds tailored wardrobes and delivers them back to partners for distribution.
• Pocket Pop Ups Mobile clothing distribution events held in community locations that allow families to select clothing in person; 57 Pocket Pop Ups hosted since 2020 across Wake and Durham counties.
• Mobile Volunteer Program (MVP) Fee-based corporate and community group volunteer program that brings clothing drive hosting and on-site donation processing to the group's own facility ($2,500 base fee for groups up to 25 people, plus $50 per additional volunteer).
• Confidence Club (Monthly Giving) Recurring monthly donor program with subscriptions via credit card, bank draft, donor advised fund, or workplace giving; a $20/month gift sponsors a complete mini-wardrobe for a child in need.
• Children's Society Tiered annual giving society with three levels: Children's Benefactor Society ($5,000+, clothing 25 children annually), Children's Patron Society ($2,500+, clothing 12 children annually), and Children's Guardian Society ($1,000+, clothing 5 children annually), including event benefits and sponsorship recognition.
• Giving Shoesday Annual giving campaign focused on providing shoes for children, with unit pricing of $25 per pair and a goal of raising $50,000 to provide 2,000 pairs of shoes.
• Socks & Undie 5K Rundie Annual 5K run/walk fundraising event held in both Wake and Durham counties (with a separate Wake and Durham event page), featuring registration fees and sponsorships to raise funds and awareness for clothing insecurity.
• Fairy Godmother Program Monthly outreach program where donors receive notifications of urgent clothing needs and purchase specific items directly through the organization's Amazon and Target wish list registries.
• Volunteer Processing Program Volunteer-powered clothing processing operation at the Raleigh and Durham centers, handling sorting, quality control, organization, and packaging of incoming donations before distribution to families.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,000+ children and adults clothed in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Blackbaud Giving FundminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2025Blackbaud Giving Fund featured Note in the Pocket in a case study highlighting how the organization tripled corporate volunteer engagement through personal volunteer connections into lasting corporate partnerships.
• Wake County Public School System (WCPSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary referral partner providing access to school social workers who identify students in need of clothing assistance. Teachers and staff refer families throughout Wake County schools.
• Durham Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner in Durham County identifying students who lack proper apparel and referring them for clothing assistance through Note in the Pocket's distribution program.
• Durham Children's Initiative (DCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitial pilot program partner in Durham, beginning in 2022. DCI referred families to Note in the Pocket before the full Durham location opened in January 2024.
• InterAct (Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner serving domestic violence survivors who leave situations with only the clothes they are wearing or sometimes with no shoes. InterAct connects clients to Note in the Pocket for clothing assistance.
• First In Families of NCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner serving families with limited resources and several children. Case managers refer families to Note in the Pocket for clothing assistance.
• StepUp MinistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner receiving clothing for families in their programs. Note in the Pocket provides carefully selected outfits tailored to children's preferences.
• The Carying PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner serving homeless families with children. Provides clothing to children in their program, with case managers noting increased confidence and engagement in children who receive clothing.
• Family Promise of the TrianglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner addressing family homelessness in the Triangle area. Executive Director Scott Ferris wrote guest article about summer surge in family homelessness and clothing insecurity.
• Lucy Daniels CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services organization for children birth to age 5. Therapists refer families experiencing clothing insecurity, including recent immigrants and families in transition.
• The Green Chair ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-partner in annual MLK Collection Drive (January 2024) collecting furniture, household items, clothing, and school materials for Triangle nonprofits.
• Kramden InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-partner in annual MLK Collection Drive providing technology equipment donations alongside Note in the Pocket and other Triangle nonprofits.
• WAKE Up and ReadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-partner in annual MLK Collection Drive collecting reading materials for children alongside Note in the Pocket and other Triangle nonprofits.
• Boys & Girls Club of Durham and Orange CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-partner in annual MLK Collection Drive alongside Note in the Pocket and other Triangle organizations.
• TEDx RaleighminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform for Executive Director Dallas Bonavita's October 2023 TEDx talk on clothing insecurity: 'If cleaning out your closet could change a life, Why Not?'
• Raleigh Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with Trophy Brewing and Crank Arm Brewing for American Craft Beer Week collaboration. Each brewery hosted donation bins and tapped collaboration beer to support Note in the Pocket.
• Trophy Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with Raleigh Brewing and Crank Arm Brewing for American Craft Beer Week collaboration supporting clothing insecurity awareness.
• Crank Arm Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with Raleigh Brewing and Trophy Brewing for American Craft Beer Week collaboration supporting clothing insecurity awareness.
• AmazonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNote in the Pocket maintains Amazon Wishlist registries (Durham: 218VSRTSJFVQ9, Wake: 3OOBBZQ4SS4HN) allowing donors to purchase items directly for the organization.
• TargetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTarget Gift Registry for Note in the Pocket wishlist allowing donors to purchase needed clothing items directly for the organization.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Baby2Baby: Baby2Baby distributes clothing, diapers, and basic necessities to children in poverty across the U.S., distributing over half a million items annually through partner organizations. Similar nonprofit clothing/essentials model with a dignity-centered distribution approach targeting low-income children and families.
• Dress for Success: Dress for Success provides professional clothing and career development to women in need, particularly those entering or re-entering the workforce. While focused on women for employment, it shares the curated wardrobe donation model and the dignity-centered give-away approach targeted at underserved populations.
• Cradles to Crayons: Cradles to Crayons is a national nonprofit providing free clothing and essential items to children experiencing poverty, with a referral-based model serving children birth through age 12. Most directly comparable to Note in the Pocket given the shared focus on curated children's clothing packages through community partner agencies.
• Kids In Need Foundation: Kids In Need Foundation provides clothing and school supplies to children in need across the U.S. through partner programs and school-based distribution. Closely aligned on the children-in-need clothing mission with a national, multi-channel reach via teacher and school networks.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army (Red Shield): The Salvation Army provides clothing assistance, emergency shelter, and disaster relief as one of the largest faith-based charities in the U.S. Closely comparable on the clothing-for-the-poor and disaster-relief-competence dimensions, but serves a much broader service mix across geographies.
• St. Vincent de Paul/Carmichael-Kelly Center: St. Vincent de Paul operates thrift stores that fund clothing, furniture, and direct-aid programs for low-income and homeless individuals. Comparable on the clothing-assistance-for-the-poor mission, but operates as a broad social services and thrift enterprise rather than a clothing-specific boutique nonprofit.
• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill is the largest nonprofit provider of donated clothing redistribution in North America through its thrift retail network, with proceeds funding job-training and community programs. Compares on donated clothing processing and last-mile distribution, but at much greater scale and via a retail intermediary rather than direct beneficiary handoff.

Regional players

• Family Promise: Family Promise of the Triangle is a Note in the Pocket partner addressing family homelessness in the same North Carolina service area. It is an adjacent regional peer with overlapping beneficiary population and an active referral relationship, but operates from outside Wake/Durham counties on housing rather than clothing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@noteinthepocketNC
• Facebookfacebook.com/NoteInThePocket
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/note-in-the-pocket
• Instagraminstagram.com/noteinthepocket
• Xx.com/noteinthepocket

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Note in the Pocket