The Best Places to Donate Your Used Phone (Master List)

Not sure where to donate your used phone? Find the charity that’s right for you on this comprehensive list

Americans throw away more than 152 million phones each year, contributing to a rapidly-growing e-waste problem that threatens the environment as well as the health and safety of the people, plants, and animals that depend on it for survival. You know you can keep the toxic chemicals found in cell phones from infiltrating our soil and water by selling it via Flipsy.com, but what if you have a greater purpose in mind than simply cashing in on your used stuff?

Instead of selling or even recycling your phone, you can donate it to a charitable cause. By doing so, you not only get to save the planet, you get to save people (plus, your donation might qualify as a tax write-off). Dispose of your phone responsibly with this master list of charities that accept phone donations.

eBay for Charity Choose from more than 83,000 charities, select an amount to donate (between 10 percent and 100 percent of your sale), then list your phone on the popular auction site. When it sells, your selected charity will receive your donated funds.

Freek Geek Free Geek has a unique directive: the non-profit organization gives free computers to Portland students in grades K-12 who complete 24 hours of community volunteer service.

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We Salute Through its Recycle & Reward program, Veterans Advantage collects and recycles used phones, then uses the proceeds to provide additional benefits and discounts for active military members, veterans, and their families.

Recycling for Charities Like some other organizations on this list, Recycling for Charities will recycle your donated phone and donate the proceeds to your charity of choice. You can choose from their large list of charities, or sign up your own favorite charity to benefit from cell phone donations.

Rainforest Connection Rainforest Connection puts your phone to good use by incorporating it into a communications infrastructure designed to protect endangered rainforest habitats from illegal logging and poaching. When rainforests are threatened, advanced communications quicken response times. If your phone cannot be used in the field, Rainforest Connection will recycle it and use the proceeds to support its program.

Cell Phones for Soldiers Recycles used phones and turns the proceeds into cost-free phone cards for overseas U.S. soldiers.

CELL4PETS Cell4Pets’ mission is to find responsible and loving homes for the millions of abandoned and abused dogs and cats. We resell your device and donate to a no-kill animal shelter. There are an estimated 2,000,000 homeless pets are euthanized each year. Help us help to reduce this number. When you donate your phone to cell4pets.com you’re helping our most loyal companions.

American Cell Phone Drive Find local organizations that accept cell phone donations from American Cell Phone Drive’s database of more than 4,000 charities nationwide.

Medic Mobile Uses the proceeds from recycled phones to fund healthcare programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America.



National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Sells used phones and uses the proceeds to combat domestic violence.

Second Wave Recycling Proceeds go toward the cause of your choice, including charities related to the military, environment, and children. Nonprofit organizations can launch their own cell phone donation fundraisers through Second Wave Recycling.

Cell Phone Bank Refurbishes phones and gives them to law enforcement and victim support agencies to provide victims with emergency communications.

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Lifecell Uses the proceeds from recycled phones to provide LifeStraws which eliminate bacteria and viruses from any water source to provide clean drinking water in global regions plagued by waterborne illnesses.

Secure The Call Provides refurbished phones to senior citizens as well as victim support and law enforcement agencies to use for emergency communications.

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Gospel for Asia Sells donated phones to fund missionaries, operate schools, and provide Bibles and livestock to needy villages in Asia.

Teen Challenge of Arizona Uses the proceeds from donated smartphones to help people overcome life-controlling problems.

Pick Up Please Picks up your used phone for free, then uses the proceeds to provide benefits via Vietnam Veterans of America.

Local, regional, and other charities

Want to donate to a cause that’s not on this list? Search online for cell phone donations by your location (city, county, region, or state) or by cause. If you can’t find the right cause for your donation, you can always sell your phone for cash via Flipsy.com, then donate your payout directly to your preferred charity.

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