Or mail checks payable to North Florida Sewing Center to:

PO Box 1755, Alachua, Fl  32616

Or drop off cash or checks at the sewing center located at 826 NW 23 Avenue, Gainesville, FL  32609. 

Be sure to give us your name and address so we can send you a thank you note and receipt.  And do specify if this is for general needs or rent sponsorship.

EIN:  93-1518919

Why North Florida Sewing Center is a Good Charity to Support!

At the North Florida Sewing Center, we are miracle workers when it comes to creating money-saving, sustainable health-supporting products out of “almost” nothing.  We have a motto that “we don’t waste our waste” meaning we utilize our scraps in highly productive ways.

We make reusable washable pads that are designed to last 3-5 years.  If used for menstruation, they will save the user as much as $500 but the fabrics used to make a full set (3 holders+10 inserts) only cost us about $10-$15.  If used for incontinence, they can save as much as $1000 each year they are used. 

The scraps from making the pads are utilized to make quilts, water resistant pouches, and beds for companion animals.   Our completed twin size quilts are valued at $250 or more yet we make the tops from scraps and the backs are mostly donated fabrics.  We even figured out how to get batting at half the wholesale price by driving to Clearwater and stocking up on 30 yard rolls.  This means that our actual materials cost typically runs less than $10-15 per quilt. 

We are super sale shoppers, stocking up on needed supplies when the prices are at their lowest.  We have been known to pretty much clear out the flannel department at the fabric store when the prices are down and we can combine the purchase with a 20% off coupon. 

We also purchase from wholesalers for some of our needs and stock up on Black Friday sales with them as well.   

The North Florida Sewing Center is run ENTIRELY by VOLUNTEERS so we have no employee costs.  We purchase some supplies but do get a large amount of fabrics donated.  Our only significant overhead is the rent we pay for our space (which is priced well below market value).  

Almost all the monetary donations we receive are spent on supplies to produce the items we give to the needy.  Occasionally we have shipping costs, or sewing machine parts to replace, as well.   A very small amount is spent on insurance and cleaning supplies. 

Typically we receive enough donations specifically earmarked for rent each year so we don’t have to spend general donation funds for our space.

Now that you can see what good stewards we are with our funding, please do send what you can to support our beautiful mission:

The mission of the North Florida Sewing Center, Inc., is to provide a safe space for collaborative efforts using needlework arts to promote health and sustainability for humans, animals and/or the environment. 

When you make a donation, please specify if this is general donation to be used as needed or if you are sponsoring next year’s rent.  Both kinds of donations are needed!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT!

Please note that North Florida Sewing Center, Inc. was only officially established in the summer of 2023, but this group of volunteers has been “doing the work” for ten years first as a Girl Scout troop project and later under another nonprofit.  In 2023 the need for “our own” nonprofit was evident so we created the North Florida Sewing Center.