CharityStorage
Charity Storage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with self storage operators to auction donated and abandoned unit contents and distribute proceeds to qualified charities, with 90% of funds passed through to charity beneficiaries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersSan Clemente, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CharityStorage does
Charity Storage is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011, registered under EIN 45-3253579, that serves as the official charity of the self storage industry. It operates a model in which self storage facility partners designate vacant units as "Charity Storage Units," populate them with donated or abandoned tenant items, and auction the contents onsite or via the StorageTreasures.com online auction platform. Proceeds are split with 60% going to an operator-chosen qualified charity, 20% to Kure It Cancer Research, and 10% to the Self Storage Association Foundation scholarship program, with 90% of gross auction proceeds distributed in total. As of 2025 the program operated across more than 255 drop-off locations and 82 registered beneficiary charities in categories including animal welfare, health services, youth services, and community service, with major participating operators including US Storage Centers, NSA/SecurCare, Westport Properties, Central Self Storage, Security Public Storage, and West Coast Self-Storage.
The organization is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ within OpenTech Alliance's corporate office and is supported operationally by OpenTech Alliance (CEO Robert Chiti founded the Board Chair role; current Board Chair is Kristi Adams of OpenTech Alliance) and StorageTreasures.com, which waives auction fees on charity units and provides the underlying auction technology. Corporate sponsorships are structured as recurring annual tiers (Angel and Benefactor at $10K+, Guardian at $5K+, Sustainer at $3K+, Supporter at $1K+, Friend under $1K, plus in-kind), and supplementary revenue comes from AmazonSmile referrals and tenant round-up programs. Auxiliary assets include a digital marketing kit (email signatures, web banners, social graphics), educational webinars, an e-commerce shop, and a 255-location searchable drop-off directory on charitystorage.org.
Financially, the 2025 Annual Report disclosed more than $212,000 raised and over $158,000 distributed to 20+ charitable organizations, compared to $111,671 raised across nearly 500 auctions in 2021 and approximately $120,000 in 2019. The organization is governed by an industry-volunteer board with an operational headcount of 1–10 employees, leans heavily on an Ambassador Program staffed by industry volunteers, and has no disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, or external investment, operating purely on program proceeds, sponsorships, and in-kind infrastructure support.
CharityStorage firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CharityStorage
- Legal name
- Charity Storage
- Website
- https://charitystorage.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Charity Storage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with self storage operators to auction donated and abandoned unit contents and distribute proceeds to qualified charities, with 90% of funds passed through to charity beneficiaries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CharityStorage industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Fundraising Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Self-Storage Unit Auctions & Lien Sale Services (HSAKAGAG)
Keywords
Where CharityStorage is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Clemente
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CharityStorage business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Storage Auction Proceeds: Donated and abandoned items placed into vacant storage units and auctioned off onsite or online. 90% of all auction proceeds distributed to qualified charities (60% to facility-chosen charity, 20% to Kure It Cancer Research, 10% to SSA Foundation).
- Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship tiers: Angel ($10K+/year), Benefactor ($10K+), Guardian ($5K+), Sustainer ($3K+), Supporter ($1K+), Friend (under $1K), In-Kind. Sponsorships offset operating costs and enable high distribution rate.
- AmazonSmile: Raising funds through AmazonSmile program where eligible purchases generate donations to Charity Storage.
- Round Up Programs: Facilities can participate in round-up programs where tenants round up payments to benefit Charity Storage.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Angel Sponsors - Exclusive & Closed Category |
| Subscription | Annual | Benefactor Sponsors |
| Subscription | Annual | Guardian Sponsors |
| Subscription | Annual | Sustainer Sponsors |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporter Sponsors |
| Subscription | Annual | Friend Sponsors |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
CharityStorage product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CharityStorage operates a charity auction program for the self storage industry in which partner storage facilities designate vacant units as Charity Storage Units where donated and abandoned items are collected and then auctioned onsite or online through StorageTreasures.com. Proceeds are split with 90% distributed to charitable causes: 60% to the facility-chosen charity, 20% to Kure It Cancer Research, and 10% to the Self Storage Association Foundation Scholarship Program. The organization also distributes a digital marketing kit, hosts educational webinars, and runs an online merchandise shop to support participating operators.
Product overview
CharityStorage is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates as the official charity of the self storage industry. The core offering is the Giving Back Program, which enables storage facilities to convert donated and abandoned items into charitable funds through designated auction units. The ecosystem includes: a searchable network of donation drop-off locations where donors can contribute items; a directory of 82+ partner charities receiving auction proceeds; a digital marketing toolkit for participating facilities; educational webinars on fundraising strategies; an e-commerce shop for merchandise; and downloadable resources including financial reports, guidelines, and enrollment forms. The program distributes 90% of auction proceeds to qualified charities, with 60% going to the operator's chosen charity, 20% to Kure It Cancer Research, and 10% to the Self Storage Association Foundation Scholarship Program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Charity Storage Giving Back Program The core program enabling self storage facility owners and operators across the United States to donate abandoned or unused items into designated units, which are then auctioned to raise funds for charitable causes. Operators designate a vacant unit as their Charity Storage Unit, collect donated goods, and auction the contents to benefit their chosen charity.
- Charity Storage Shop An online shop selling Charity Storage merchandise and marketing materials to participating storage facilities, supporters, and donors. The shop operates at charitystorage.org/shop and processes payments for marketing kits and related items.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of all auction proceeds distributed to qualifying charitable organizations
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CharityStorage
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CharityStorage technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
CharityStorage partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.
- Self Storage Association (SSA)flagshipOfficial charity partner of the Self Storage Association. Charity Storage is promoted at SSA events, with 10% of auction proceeds directed to SSA Foundation Scholarship Program. SSA provides organizational endorsement and access to industry network.
- Storage TreasurescoreOnline auction platform provider that enables Charity Storage Unit auctions. Angel Sponsor contributing $10K+ annually in financial and in-kind support. Has provided significant technical and administrative infrastructure development including streamlined accounting and new website.
- OpenTech AlliancecoreLeading self storage technology provider. Expanded donor relationship includes dedicated staff for infrastructure, accounting, and marketing support. Houses Charity Storage headquarters at Phoenix office. CEO Robert Chiti serves as Board Chairman. Angel Sponsor at $10K+ level.
- US Storage Centers / Westport PropertiescoreFounding sponsors and top-performing operators. US Storage Centers consistently generates highest auction totals. Westport Properties CEO Drew Hoeven (son of co-founder Barry Hoeven) serves as Chairman of Board. Both Angel Sponsors at $10K+ level.
- StorelocalmajorCooperative of self storage owners and operators. Designated Charity Storage as Preferred Charity Partner. Encourages 42-state member network to participate in Charity Storage Giving Back Program.
- Kure It Cancer ResearchmajorNonprofit dedicated to funding research for underfunded cancers. Receives 20% of all Charity Storage auction proceeds. Founded by Barry Hoeven, late co-founder of Charity Storage.
- Self Storage Association Foundation (SSAF)majorScholarship program receiving 10% of auction proceeds for postsecondary education scholarships. Has awarded over $300,000 to 123+ students with roots in self storage industry since 2009.
- ISS World ExpomajorCharity Partner of ISS World Expo. Promotes Charity Storage program at major industry trade show.
- California Self Storage Association (CSSA)majorGranted Charity Storage Affiliate Membership. Increases Giving Back Program visibility in California, Nevada and Arizona. CSSA serves 500+ storage owners with 3,000+ locations.
- NSA Storage (National Storage Affiliates Trust)majorREIT with 1,000+ facilities piloting Charity Storage program at SecurCare Self Storage facilities in Texas. Supports Feeding America charity.
- Cornerstone Insurance ProducersminorSpecialty Managing General Agent contributing $5,000 as annual Guardian-level sponsor. Provides tailored insurance to storage industry.
- Central Self Storage / Pegasus Groupmajor50 properties across 9 states. Auctions benefit Michael J. Fox Foundation (60%), Kure It Cancer Research (20%), SSAF (10%).
- Self Storage ReferralminorReferral source connecting customers to self storage resources. Quarterly funds distributed: 60% to Orange County Abuse Prevention Center and Phoenix Children's Hospital, 20% to Kure It Cancer Research.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CharityStorage competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Extra Space Storage: Large publicly traded self-storage REIT and industry incumbent whose facilities participate in the Charity Storage program; comparable for understanding the broader self-storage market context within which Charity Storage operates.
- Salvation Army Family Stores: Major donation-driven nonprofit retail network that converts donated household items into charitable program funding; operates a similar donation-to-charity model at national scale.
- Goodwill Industries International: Largest U.S. nonprofit donation-and-resale network converting donated goods into job-training revenue; analogous business model to Charity Storage at vastly greater scale.
Direct peers
- Self Storage Association Foundation: Industry-affiliated scholarship nonprofit receiving 10% of Charity Storage auction proceeds; operates in the same self-storage charity niche with an overlapping sponsor and operator ecosystem.
- StorageTreasures: Online self-storage auction platform and Charity Storage technology partner that powers Charity Storage Unit auctions and contributes Angel-level sponsorship; competes in the adjacent online storage-auction space.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Nonprofit home-goods donation and resale network that monetizes donated items to fund charitable construction work; comparable operating model to Charity Storage's 'donate items, convert to charitable funds' structure.
- Kure It Cancer Research: Self-storage-industry-founded nonprofit cancer research grantmaker; receives 20% of Charity Storage auction proceeds and shares a founder lineage with Charity Storage, making it the most directly comparable peer in mission and donor base.
- Purple Heart Pickup: Nonprofit that picks up donated household items from donors' homes and resells them to fund veteran services; the closest direct analog in donation logistics and conversion-to-charity-funds operating model.
Emerging players
- OpenTech Alliance: Self-storage technology provider that houses Charity Storage HQ, contributes infrastructure and accounting capacity, and whose CEO has served as Board Chair; an enabler rather than direct competitor, but operationally intertwined.
- Storelocal Storage Co-Op: Self-storage operator cooperative with 3,000+ member facilities that has designated Charity Storage as its Preferred Charity Partner; comparable in self-storage ecosystem participation though not a nonprofit itself.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CharityStorage social profiles
Digital presenceCharityStorage financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CharityStorage leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CharityStorage funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CharityStorage M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CharityStorage
What does CharityStorage do?
CharityStorage operates a charity auction program for the self storage industry in which partner storage facilities designate vacant units as Charity Storage Units where donated and abandoned items are collected and then auctioned onsite or online through StorageTreasures.com. Proceeds are split with 90% distributed to charitable causes: 60% to the facility-chosen charity, 20% to Kure It Cancer Research, and 10% to the Self Storage Association Foundation Scholarship Program. The organization also distributes a digital marketing kit, hosts educational webinars, and runs an online merchandise shop to support participating operators.
Is CharityStorage a public or private company?
CharityStorage is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CharityStorage founded?
CharityStorage was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CharityStorage based?
CharityStorage is headquartered in San Clemente, United States, in the North America region.
How does CharityStorage make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Storage Auction Proceeds are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, amazonSmile and round Up Programs.
Who are CharityStorage's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Extra Space Storage, Salvation Army Family Stores and Goodwill Industries International. Direct peers are Self Storage Association Foundation, StorageTreasures, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, Kure It Cancer Research and Purple Heart Pickup. Emerging players are OpenTech Alliance and Storelocal Storage Co-Op.
Does CharityStorage have an API?
No public API is recorded for CharityStorage.
What industry is CharityStorage in?
CharityStorage's product category is Nonprofit Fundraising Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAKAGAG, Self-Storage Unit Auctions & Lien Sale Services. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 4220.