FAQs

The Princess Project began in February 2002 when one girl needed one dress for her prom. Founders Laney Whitcanack and Kristi Smith Knutson responded to this young woman’s request for help by involving friends and family in a dress drive. Within days, women from all over the San Francisco Bay Area offered their support through donations of their “time, talent and taffeta.”

Since that time, The Princess Project has served over 20,000 teens through the dedication of more than 2,000 volunteers. In 2005, The Princess Project became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Every year, The Princess Project receives hundreds of dresses, accessories, and monetary donations from individual donors, corporations, and fundraisers to outfit our teens for Prom. After we receive the dresses and accessories, our wonderful volunteers organize them for our dress giveaway events. During our dress giveaway, thousands of teens from all over California come and find the perfect dress to make their prom dreams real!

The Princess Project supports any high school teen in California who needs a dress.  No proof of financial need is required – the teens only need a high school ID.  Teens can sign-up individually or as a group through any Youth/School Organization.  The Princess Project also provides support to other organization who hosts proms or gives away dresses and accessories.

Giveaways are held throughout California primarily in March.

Fundraising events are hosted by the individual chapters and held throughout the year.  Link to individual chapter locations.

The Princess Project currently has four chapters in California – San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Sonoma and San Diego.  If you are interested in starting a chapter, or would like to make a donation, please email lisaf@princessproject.org.

Most dress drives take place in the months of January and February, and locations can be found on the individual chapter sites.  Dresses and accessories should be no more than 5 years old in clean, good condition.

Financial donations are always welcome and most appreciated. Link to Paypal to donate.

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We are a 100% volunteer organization.  100% of your donation funds our giveaways and operations.

Sufficient dress inventory for sizes 0-2 and 16+ remain our largest challenge.  Individual chapters often need to purchase dresses in these sizes, and we are always seeking partners who can help in these areas.

 

Each Chapter has their own Operating Board. The Princess Project also has a Governing Board that oversees all administrative operations and large partnerships.

The Governing Board provides all administrative support and multi-chapter partnerships.

JOIN US

We couldn’t do it without you! The Princess Project offers a range of opportunities to participate.

For more information on how to get a dress, donate, or volunteer, send us a message. We hope we have a chance to work with you soon!

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