Community Clothes Closet

What Community Clothes Closet does

Community Clothes Closet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 and headquartered in Menasha, Wisconsin. It provides free clothing to low-income individuals and families across Northeastern Wisconsin through a referral-based distribution model, with services accessed via a network of more than 90 partner agencies including schools, domestic violence shelters, churches, and other social service providers. In 2025, the organization served approximately 11,886 active clients and distributed 495,797 items of clothing, supported by 13 paid employees and approximately 180 volunteers per week, at a stated direct cost of $53.77 per client per year.

The organization's service portfolio centers on core clothing distribution from a central Menasha facility, supplemented by the Traveling Closet mobile program launched in 2021, which brings clothing directly to underserved communities across multiple counties. In 2021, the organization also acquired Operation Cinderella, a prom-dress program that extends service to a new client demographic. Clients are not charged for goods; instead, partner agencies pre-qualify and refer individuals, making the referral network the operational backbone of the distribution system.

The organization's business model is supported by individual donations, corporate sponsors (including Maurices for drop-off locations), foundation grants, and in-kind clothing contributions. It has received public recognition including the 2023 Wisconsin Innovation Award for the Traveling Closet program. Looking forward, the organization is expanding into Shawano County and investing in logistics infrastructure (a new van) and facility improvements (solar panels), signaling continued operational scaling.

Name

Community Clothes Closet

Legal name

Community Clothes Closet

Website

https://communityclothescloset.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Clothes Closet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1980 that provides free clothing referrals to low-income individuals and families across Northeastern Wisconsin through a network of 90+ partner agencies, serving approximately 11,886 active clients annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Menasha, Wisconsin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Monetary Donations: Online donations via PayPal, mail-in donations, and in-person contributions from individuals. Monthly giving program called Thread of Hope Circle provides recurring support. Tax-deductible donations (EIN #39-1394270).
2. In-Kind Clothing Donations: Community donates new and gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, bedding and towels. These donations are sorted, processed and distributed to clients at no cost.
3. Boutique Up Retail Store: Organization operates a retail store at Boutique Up (inside Antique Up in Kimberly, WI) selling new and gently used name brand and designer clothing, shoes, purses at discounted prices. Proceeds support free clothing programs.
4. Corporate/Foundation Grants and Sponsorships: Support from businesses, foundations, and community organizations including annual sponsorships for events and programs. Includes planned gifts, bequests, and beneficiary designations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Community Clothes Closet provides free clothing, outerwear, footwear, accessories, bedding and towels to individuals and families in need in Northeastern Wisconsin through a referral-based system, with clients able to shop twice monthly for a year. The organization supplements its Menasha shopping floor with a mobile Traveling Closet truck serving six rural communities and operates targeted programs for back-to-school, prom, career, winter and newborn needs.

Product overview

Community Clothes Closet operates as a single unified nonprofit offering centered on free clothing distribution to people in need. The core service is The Shopping Floor, a physical clothing distribution center at the Menasha facility where clients shop twice monthly using a referral-based system. The portfolio includes seven specialized programs: Cool for School (annual school clothing event), Traveling Closet (mobile distribution truck), PajamaRama (children's sleepwear program), New Start Boutique (career clothing service), Winter Ready (winter gear), Baby Kits (newborn essentials), and Operation Cinderella (prom attire). Additional offerings include a retail store (Boutique Up) and an annual community fundraiser event (The Common Thread). All services are provided free of charge to referred clients, with the Traveling Closet extending reach to six outlying Wisconsin communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Shopping Floor Main free clothing distribution service at the Menasha facility providing new and gently used clothing for newborns to older adults, including tops, pants, socks, underwear, accessories, jackets, footwear, bedding, towels and pillows. Referred clients can shop twice each month for a year using a Blue Card.
• Traveling Closet Mobile clothing distribution service using a truck loaded with clothing items that visits Oshkosh, Berlin, Waupaca, Clintonville, Shawano and Chilton, providing free clothing to residents who cannot reach the Menasha facility.
• Cool for School Annual back-to-school event providing brand-new school clothes, new shoes, underwear and socks for each registered 4K to 12th grade student, free of charge.
• PajamaRama Annual program providing children ages 2 to 12 with new pajamas, a new blanket, pillow and pillowcase, book, and reading buddy stuffed animal, all free of charge.
• New Start Boutique Career-focused program providing interview outfits, job preparation tips, and appropriate work clothes including healthcare scrubs, professional attire, steel toe boots and non-skid shoes for clients making career transitions.
• Winter Ready Program providing winter gear including snow pants, winter boots, outerwear and waterproof mittens for children to ensure safety during Wisconsin winters.
• Baby Kits Program providing more than 50 essential newborn items such as diapers, blankets, washcloths, socks and clothing for ages 0-9 months, along with growth and development information.
• Operation Cinderella Program providing free prom attire including dresses, shoes and accessories to students referred by school social workers.
• Boutique Up Retail store operated by Community Clothes Closet inside Antique Up in Kimberly, WI, selling new and gently used name-brand and designer clothing, shoes and purses at discounted prices. Proceeds support free clothing programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provided 495,797 items of clothing to 11,886 active clients in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting, strategic and flagship.

• Gunderson CleanerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGunderson Cleaners serves as an official clothing donation drop-off site with locations in Appleton, Neenah, and Oshkosh. Each store features dedicated rolling carts and signage for Community Clothes Closet donations. The partnership has been instrumental in making donating convenient for the community and supporting the donation supply chain.
• MauricescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew partnership with Maurices (discount retailer) at Neenah and Oshkosh locations. These stores accept clothing donations and offer donors coupons to shop in-store as a thank-you. Partnership began in late 2024/early 2025 to expand donation accessibility.
• Adashun Jones Real EstatesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdashun Jones Real Estate in Oshkosh accepts clothing donations on behalf of CCC. Limited to 3 bags per visit. Partnership provides additional donation drop-off option for Oshkosh community.
• Fox Communities Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFox Communities Credit Union became the first Traveling Closet Bag Sponsor, providing reusable bags to replace single-use plastic bags. Last year CCC used over 11,500 plastic bags, so this sponsorship supports sustainability goals while reducing costs for programming. Partnership demonstrates corporate commitment to community and environmental responsibility.
• Community First Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity First Credit Union launched the Great Undie Giveback campaign, donating 1,725 pairs of brand-new underwear and coordinating with 14+ partners to collectively raise 9,993 pairs of underwear for individuals in need. Campaign addressed critical and ongoing need for new underwear.
• Gustman SubarusupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGustman Subaru of Appleton stepped up during sub-zero temperatures to donate over 500 winter coats ahead of schedule to meet urgent community needs. Partnership demonstrates corporate social responsibility during weather emergencies.
• AmcorcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmcor, a global packaging company, is a key partner in bringing hope and clothing to Oshkosh through the Traveling Closet program. Their generous support provides essential clothing items especially high-demand categories like men's and boys' clothing. Janelle Van De Hei, Co-President of CCC Board, works in Human Resources at Amcor.
• Shawano Area United WaystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerShawano Area United Way is a founding partner enabling the 2025 expansion of Traveling Closet services to the Shawano community. Partnership marks significant geographic expansion of mobile program.
• Compassionate Connections CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompassionate Connections Center partnered with CCC to host Traveling Closet back-to-school distributions in Clintonville. In one event, over 200 children received brand-new clothing totaling more than 1,600 items. Partnership with Clintonville Area Food Pantry also involved.
• RENEW Wisconsin Solar for GoodsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRENEW Wisconsin Solar for Good program helped fund CCC's switch to solar energy in November 2021. Partnership supports sustainability mission and enables cost savings reinvested in programming.
• WPPI EnergysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWPPI Energy partnered to support CCC's solar panel installation project, contributing to the nonprofit's renewable energy transition.
• BMOsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBMO participated in The Great Undie Giveback campaign to collect new underwear donations for CCC clients.
• Dreyer Wealth ManagementsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDreyer Wealth Management participated in The Great Undie Giveback campaign.
• Fox River MallsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFox River Mall participated in The Great Undie Giveback campaign as a collection location.
• Nicolet National BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNicolet National Bank participated in The Great Undie Giveback campaign.
• Weiss Law OfficesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWeiss Law Office participated in The Great Undie Giveback campaign.
• Xavier High SchoolsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerXavier High School students participated in The Great Undie Giveback campaign as an internal collection drive.
• Menasha CorporationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMenasha Corporation employees participated in The Great Undie Giveback campaign as an internal collection drive.
• Oshkosh CorporationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOshkosh Corporation employees participated in The Great Undie Giveback campaign as an internal collection drive.
• Countryside VeterinarysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCountryside Veterinary participated in The Great Undie Giveback campaign.
• CulversflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCulvers is the Title Community Champion sponsor for The Common Thread: A Community Day event, demonstrating flagship-level corporate sponsorship for CCC's annual community celebration and fundraiser.
• 90+ Social Service AgenciescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCCC partners with over 90 local social service agencies including food pantries, homeless shelters, schools, churches, county health departments, and financial-assistance institutions. These agencies refer clients who then shop at CCC. Key partners include St. Joseph's Food Program, Leaven, St. Vincent de Paul, COTS, Pillars, Salvation Army, Harbor House, and many others.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Baby2Baby: National nonprofit distributing essential items including clothing, diapers, and baby supplies to children in poverty. Directly comparable to CCC's Baby Kits program with similar referral-based distribution and corporate partnership model.
• Operation Warm: National nonprofit providing new winter coats and shoes to children in need. Directly comparable to CCC's Winter Ready program (6,325 winter coats, boots, and snowpants provided in 2025) with similar corporate-sponsored funding model.
• Cradles to Crayons: National nonprofit providing children from birth through age 12 with essential items including clothing. Directly comparable to CCC's children-focused programs (Cool for School, Baby Kits, PajamaRama) with similar volunteer-driven model.
• Dress for Success: National nonprofit providing professional attire and career support to women in need. Directly comparable to Community Clothes Closet's New Start Boutique program (interview outfits, professional attire), with a similar referral-based model serving low-income job seekers.
• Hope Supply Co. Nonprofit providing essential supplies including clothing to children and families experiencing homelessness. Comparable referral-based model serving similar vulnerable populations with clothing and seasonal essentials.

Broad incumbents

• St. Vincent de Paul: National Catholic nonprofit providing direct aid including clothing to people in poverty. Listed as one of CCC's 90+ referring agencies, with comparable thrift-store-supported service model.
• Goodwill Industries International: Largest nonprofit clothing and workforce organization in the US, operating thrift stores that fund job training. Comparable in that it distributes clothing to people in need and operates a donation-driven model, but on a vastly larger national scale.
• The Salvation Army: National charitable organization operating thrift stores and direct-service programs including clothing assistance. Listed as one of CCC's 90+ referring agencies, demonstrating direct operational relationship and comparable service offering.

Regional players

• Helping Hands Ministries: Regional faith-based nonprofit providing clothing and household goods to families in need. Operates in similar space as Community Clothes Closet but primarily serves different geographic region with comparable donation-driven distribution model.

Emerging players

• ClothingShare: Smaller emerging nonprofit focused specifically on clothing donation and redistribution to people in need. More direct focus on clothing-only assistance than broader social service nonprofits, making it comparable to CCC's specialized model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@communityclothesclosetofwi3666
• Facebookfacebook.com/communityclothescloset
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-clothes-closet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Community Clothes Closet