Circle Thrift
Circle Thrift is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit thrift store founded in 2004 that sells donated clothing, furniture, and household goods at affordable prices, using proceeds to fund community grants and free vouchers for roughly 75 partner agencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Circle Thrift does
Circle Thrift is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit thrift store (EIN 23-2989934) founded in 2004 and headquartered at 2233 Frankford Ave in the Fishtown/Kensington area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The organization operates a single retail storefront plus an adjacent intake location called Circle Thrift Too, open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Its core product is the resale of donated goods — clothing, furniture, electronics, household items, books, toys, and tools — priced affordably, with items as low as 50 cents. There is no proprietary technology stack, app, or e-commerce channel; the model is a traditional physical thrift store with a community service component that accepts court-ordered or volunteer community service hours and provides local employment.
The business model is retail thrift: donated inventory is sourced at effectively zero cost-of-goods and sold to walk-in consumers, with proceeds redistributed rather than retained as profit. Approximately 75 partner agencies — including community centers, clinics, shelters, addiction treatment facilities, and retirement homes — receive free vouchers for clients, and Circle Thrift distributes unrestricted operating grants of $500–$25,000 to roughly 40 nonprofit community organizations annually. The organization also reports an environmental impact metric, diverting over 130,000 pounds of textile, shoe, and bag recyclables from landfills each year. Headcount is 11, revenue is not publicly disclosed, and there is no parent company, equity funding, or M&A activity in the source material.
Circle Thrift firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Circle Thrift
- Legal name
- Circle Thrift
- Website
- https://circlethrift.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Circle Thrift is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit thrift store founded in 2004 that sells donated clothing, furniture, and household goods at affordable prices, using proceeds to fund community grants and free vouchers for roughly 75 partner agencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Circle Thrift industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Thrift Store Retail
- NAICS
- Used Merchandise Retailers (459510), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Donation, Resale & Disposal Coordination (HSAFAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Donation, Resale & Textile Recycling Coordination (HSAFABAI)
Keywords
Where Circle Thrift is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Circle Thrift business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Thrift Store Sales: Circle Thrift generates revenue through the sale of donated goods including clothing, furniture, household items, electronics, books, and other thrift store merchandise. All profits are used to support community grants and operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Affordable thrift store pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Circle Thrift product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Circle Thrift is a nonprofit thrift store that accepts donations of clothing, furniture, electronics, household goods, books, and other items, then resells them to the public at affordable prices (as low as 50 cents). All profits are redistributed into the community through unrestricted operating grants of $500–$25,000 to nonprofit organizations, free vouchers to approximately 75 partner agencies, and environmental impact by diverting over 130,000 pounds of textiles annually from landfills.
Product overview
Circle Thrift is a single-location nonprofit thrift store operation (with a secondary location called Circle Thrift Too mentioned for donation collection). The organization accepts donated goods and resells them to the public, using proceeds to fund community grants, provide free vouchers to social service agencies, and reduce landfill waste. There are no separate named products, modules, or digital product lines beyond the core thrift retail operation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Circle Thrift Retail Store A physical nonprofit thrift store at 2233 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, open Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM, that sells donated clothing, furniture, household goods, electronics, books, antiques, jewelry, and other items at affordable prices (as low as 50 cents) to the general public. Proceeds fund community grants and operations.
- Circle Thrift Too (Donation Intake Location)
Quantifiable outcome
- Diverts over 130,000 pounds of clothing from landfills annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Circle Thrift
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Circle Thrift technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Circle Thrift partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
41 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- SimplewayminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- TimoteominorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Yes...And! Collaborative ArtsminorArts organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Fishtown Neighbors AssociationminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Fishtown ACminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Red Shirt ProjectminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- First Nations KitchenminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Taller Puertorriqueno STEAM ProjectminorArts and education organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth JusticeminorEnvironmental justice organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Arab American Development CorporationminorCommunity development organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Philly Unknown ProjectminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Treehouse BooksminorEducation organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- East Passyunk Opera ProjectminorArts organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Kensington Soccer ClubminorYouth sports organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Homies Helping HomiesminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Julia DeBurgos Elementary SchoolminorPublic school that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Community Peacemaker TeamsminorPeacebuilding organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Lutheran Settlement HouseminorSocial services organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Camp SojournerminorYouth camp organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- South Philly Community FridgeminorMutual aid organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Broad Street LoveminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Souls Shot Portrait ProjectminorArts organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- One House at a TimeminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Double Trellis FoodminorFood security organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Women Against AbuseminorDomestic violence advocacy organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Our Closet in Your NeighborhoodminorClothing access organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Fletcher Street Urban Riding ClubminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- House of Grace Catholic Worker ClinicminorHealthcare clinic that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Men Who Care GermantownminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Girls Rock PhillyminorYouth arts organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Rock to the FutureminorYouth music organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Beyond the BarsminorReentry support organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Friends of Adaire SchoolminorSchool support organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Friends of Hackett SchoolminorSchool support organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Friends of Moffet SchoolminorSchool support organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Friends of H.A. Brown SchoolminorSchool support organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Friends of Penn Treaty SchoolminorSchool support organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- Donors ChooseminorEducation funding platform that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program for classroom projects.
- Lilypad PhillyminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- New Leash on LifeminorCommunity organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
- SimplehomesminorHousing organization that has received grants from Circle Thrift's annual unrestricted operating grants program.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Circle Thrift competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Out of the Closet (AIDS Healthcare Foundation): Thrift store chain operated by AIDS Healthcare Foundation where 96¢ of every dollar funds HIV/AIDS care and services; directly comparable nonprofit thrift-meets-mission funding model.
- Greendrop: Donation pickup service that collects household goods and clothing for resale through nonprofit partners including the American Red Cross; comparable donation-intake-and-resale model with a similar community-funding angle.
- Buffalo Exchange: Resale clothing chain buying and selling secondhand apparel in physical storefronts; comparable in secondhand clothing retail and donation-style intake, though for-profit versus Circle Thrift's nonprofit structure.
- Housing Works Thrift Shops: NYC-based nonprofit thrift chain whose proceeds fund Housing Works' social services including healthcare and housing for people affected by HIV/AIDS; highly comparable as a nonprofit thrift store directing profits to community-serving programs.
- St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores: Network of nonprofit thrift stores operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, with proceeds funding direct aid to people in poverty; directly comparable as a donation-funded thrift retailer serving local community needs.
Broad incumbents
- Savers / Value Village: Large for-profit thrift chain operating under multiple banners that purchases secondhand goods from nonprofit partners; comparable thrift retail model with similar donated inventory base, but operating at much larger commercial scale.
- Goodwill Industries International: Largest nonprofit thrift and donation network in North America operating thousands of retail stores; directly comparable in donation-driven thrift retail model and community-mission orientation, but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
- The Salvation Army Family Stores: Operates a national chain of nonprofit thrift stores funded by donations, with proceeds supporting community programs; directly comparable thrift-retail-meets-nonprofit-mission model though broader in scope and scale.
Emerging players
- thredUP: Online resale platform processing donated and consigned secondhand clothing at scale; comparable in diverting textiles from landfill via resale, but operating as a digital-only national marketplace rather than a single neighborhood storefront.
Regional players
- Local thrift operators (e.g., Philly AIDS Thrift): Philadelphia-based nonprofit thrift stores like Philly AIDS Thrift that fund local HIV/AIDS services through resale; directly comparable as Philadelphia nonprofit thrift peers operating in the same city and customer base.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Circle Thrift social profiles
Digital presenceCircle Thrift compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Circle Thrift financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Circle Thrift leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Circle Thrift subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Circle Thrift funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Circle Thrift 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 Circle Thrift
What does Circle Thrift do?
Circle Thrift is a nonprofit thrift store that accepts donations of clothing, furniture, electronics, household goods, books, and other items, then resells them to the public at affordable prices (as low as 50 cents). All profits are redistributed into the community through unrestricted operating grants of $500–$25,000 to nonprofit organizations, free vouchers to approximately 75 partner agencies, and environmental impact by diverting over 130,000 pounds of textiles annually from landfills.
Is Circle Thrift a public or private company?
Circle Thrift is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Circle Thrift founded?
Circle Thrift was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Circle Thrift based?
Circle Thrift is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Circle Thrift make money?
One revenue line is on record: thrift Store Sales.
Who are Circle Thrift's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Out of the Closet (AIDS Healthcare Foundation), Greendrop, Buffalo Exchange, Housing Works Thrift Shops and St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores. Broad incumbents are Savers / Value Village, Goodwill Industries International and The Salvation Army Family Stores. thredUP is listed as an emerging player. Local thrift operators (e.g., Philly AIDS Thrift) is listed as a regional player.
Does Circle Thrift have an API?
No public API is recorded for Circle Thrift.
What industry is Circle Thrift in?
Circle Thrift's product category is Thrift Store Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAFAAAK, Donation, Resale & Disposal Coordination, with a secondary code of HSAFABAI, Donation, Resale & Textile Recycling Coordination. Its NAICS code is 459510.