Prom night represents a milestone event for many teenagers, yet financial, social, or personal barriers can often make attending prom seem impossible. Surprisingly, the average American family spent around $919 on prom-related expenses in 2015, with spending soaring as high as $1,169 in the Northeast. This significant cost underscores the barriers many students face. Thankfully, numerous nonprofits have stepped up, creating innovative and impactful campaigns to ensure that every teen can experience this rite of passage safely, inclusively, and joyfully.
From providing free formalwear and special needs events to advocating for inclusivity and prom safety, the following examples showcase how nonprofits across the country have successfully transformed prom night into an accessible, unforgettable experience for countless young people.
1. Operation Prom National Network – Free Prom Attire for Teens
Operation Prom National Network (OPNN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 to help low-income students attend prom by providing free formalwear (Operation Prom National Network). Originally started in New York, OPNN has grown to 17 chapters nationwide, collecting donated prom dresses and tuxedos for teens in need (The Famous Designer Dressing At-Risk Teens With Operation Prom – The Licensing Letter) (The Famous Designer Dressing At-Risk Teens With Operation Prom – The Licensing Letter). The volunteer-run organization ensures “every student is able to attend their senior prom, despite their financial situation” (CNN Money – Operation Prom National Network). To date, it has helped thousands of students attend prom at little or no cost by distributing donated dresses, suits, shoes and accessories (The Famous Designer Dressing At-Risk Teens With Operation Prom – The Licensing Letter).
Impact: Each spring, OPNN hosts free prom-shopping events where students can pick out attire. For example, one year the New York chapter received 5,000 dress donations and gave away hundreds of dresses and tuxedos in a single weekend (Exclusive | Prom dresses and suits are free for teens at this NYC shop). OPNN never turns away a qualified student and even works to accommodate special requests (such as providing “women’s fit” tuxedos for transgender students and plus-size gowns) to be inclusive (The Famous Designer Dressing At-Risk Teens With Operation Prom – The Licensing Letter).
Partnerships: OPNN partners with community agencies like social services, churches, and hospitals to reach eligible youth (Operation Prom National Network). It also teams up with corporate sponsors in the formalwear industry – for instance, Men’s Wearhouse and designer Adrianna Papell have supported OPNN drives. In 2023, bridal designer Justina McCaffrey launched a campaign with OPNN, donating a custom $20,000 gown and raising awareness for prom attire needs among at-risk youth (The Famous Designer Dressing At-Risk Teens With Operation Prom – The Licensing Letter) (The Famous Designer Dressing At-Risk Teens With Operation Prom – The Licensing Letter). These collaborations broaden OPNN’s reach and help more teens attend prom with confidence.
2. Becca’s Closet – Donating Prom Dresses Nationwide
Becca’s Closet is a national nonprofit that collects and distributes free prom dresses to high school girls who cannot afford them ( Going to prom? Group helps every Bay County girl say yes to a dress ). It was founded in memory of Rebecca Kirtman, a 16-year-old from Florida who tragically died in 2003 after having already gathered 250 dresses for classmates in need ( Going to prom? Group helps every Bay County girl say yes to a dress ). Today, Becca’s Closet has multiple chapters (often based in schools or community groups) carrying on her mission so that “no one should skip prom because they cannot afford a dress” ( Going to prom? Group helps every Bay County girl say yes to a dress ). The chapters hold seasonal dress giveaway events where students can choose from hundreds of new or gently-used gowns in various sizes ( Going to prom? Group helps every Bay County girl say yes to a dress ).
Impact: Over the past two decades, Becca’s Closet has enabled thousands of teens across the U.S. to attend prom in style. For example, one Michigan chapter gave out 250 dresses for homecoming and even more for prom in a single school year ( Going to prom? Group helps every Bay County girl say yes to a dress ). The organization also offers college scholarships to student volunteers, expanding its impact beyond prom night (Becca’s Closet Spirit of Generosity Scholarship – Scholarships360) (notably, their **“Spirit of Generosity” scholarship rewards teens for community service, echoing Becca’s legacy).
Partnerships: Becca’s Closet relies on donations and community support. A noteworthy partner is fashion retailer Windsor, which in 2024 partnered with Becca’s Closet for the third year in a row to donate 1,500 brand-new prom dresses to girls nationwide (Windsor Launches 2024 Prom Shop With Over 900 Dresses). Local businesses, bridal shops, and even police departments have hosted dress drives on its behalf ( Going to prom? Group helps every Bay County girl say yes to a dress ). These partnerships ensure a steady inventory of dresses and help raise funds for dry cleaning and accessories. By teaming up with schools and retailers, Becca’s Closet continues to “spread joy” and make prom dreams come true for underserved youth ( Going to prom? Group helps every Bay County girl say yes to a dress ).
3. DoSomething.org – Take Back the Prom (Inclusive Prom Campaign)
DoSomething.org, a major youth-led nonprofit, ran a high-profile campaign called “Take Back the Prom” to promote inclusive and safe prom experiences. Launched in 2019, this campaign tackled barriers that often prevent marginalized students from enjoying prom – such as schools banning LGBTQ+ or interracial couples and strict gender-based dress codes ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ). Take Back the Prom was one of DoSomething’s most ambitious efforts, featuring four simultaneous initiatives aimed at making prom accessible for everyone ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ) ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ):
- Prom attire donation drive: Collected and distributed formal outfits to students who couldn’t afford them, reducing monetary barriers to attending prom ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ). (Over 4,000 prom clothing items were donated in total, with shoe brand Steve Madden contributing 300 new pairs of shoes ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ).)
- Policy change toolkit: Provided students with resources to advocate for gender-neutral dress codes and inclusive prom traditions at their schools, helping update any outdated, binary rules ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ).
- Prom discrimination map: Created the largest-ever map of prom discrimination by gathering over 30,000 stories and petition signatures from teens in all 50 states who faced prom inequities (e.g. being barred from bringing a same-sex date) ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ).
- Prom anxiety textline: Offered a supportive text messaging line for students experiencing stress about prom, which 13,000+ teens utilized to get personalized advice and coping guides ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ).
Impact: Take Back the Prom ultimately engaged 60,500 young people across every state ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ), empowering them to take action for a more inclusive prom. The campaign garnered over 75 million media impressions through creative social media content (including nostalgic prom photos of celebrities like Beyoncé) ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ) ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ). It received a Shorty Social Good Award for its impact as a social movement ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ) ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ).
Partnerships: DoSomething.org collaborated with numerous partners and influencers to amplify this campaign. Celebrity supporters like Alyson Stoner and Lachlan Watson helped spread the message in Seventeen Magazine and Teen Vogue, respectively ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ). The nonprofit also worked with expert organizations: The Wing co-working spaces hosted prom outfit donation drives in major cities ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ), GLAAD advised on LGBTQ+ storytelling and boosted social media visibility ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ), and GLSEN provided guidance on inclusive language and connected DoSomething with non-binary student leaders ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ). These partnerships ensured the campaign was authentic, far-reaching, and logistically successful, truly “creating an inclusive prom experience for everyone — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic conditions, or racial background” ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ) ( Take Back the Prom – The Shorty Awards ).
4. Tim Tebow Foundation – Night to Shine (Special Needs Prom)
The Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF) – founded by former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow – runs Night to Shine, a global prom night experience for people with special needs. Launched in 2015, Night to Shine is an annual prom hosted simultaneously by hundreds of churches around the world on the Friday before Valentine’s Day (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy) (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy). The foundation provides grants, planning support, and resources to local host churches so they can offer a free, unforgettable prom to honor teens and adults with disabilities (age 14 and up) in their communities (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy). Each event features fun touches like a red carpet entrance with “paparazzi,” hair and makeup stations, karaoke, limo rides, and a crowning ceremony where every guest is named prom king or queen (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy). Parents and caregivers enjoy respite lounges while their loved ones dance the night away in a safe, celebratory environment (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy).
Impact: Night to Shine has seen tremendous growth and reach. At its start in 2015, it was held at 44 locations in the U.S.; by 2025, it expanded to 821 host churches across all 50 states and 62 countries (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy). The 11th annual Night to Shine in 2025 celebrated over 100,000 people with special needs enjoying prom festivities worldwide (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy). Thousands of volunteers and community members come together to make these events happen – for example, a single Night to Shine in Tallahassee, FL welcomed 600+ guests with special needs, supported by an army of local volunteers (‘Night to Shine’ officially a success after a month of community sacrifice). The experience is often life-changing for attendees and families, many of whom have never had the opportunity to attend a traditional prom. As Tim Tebow puts it, “we won’t stop until every person with special needs knows their worth” (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy) (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy).
Partnerships: TTF partners primarily with local churches and community organizations to host Night to Shine, providing a faith-based network for these proms (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy). Corporations and donors also contribute – for instance, corporate sponsors often donate tuxedos, dresses, limousines, and venues, and businesses in host cities chip in catering or photography services. In some areas, law enforcement and civic groups volunteer to escort participants down the red carpet. This broad coalition of churches, nonprofits, and local businesses has made Night to Shine a premier “prom with a purpose” that spreads across the globe each year (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy) (Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom celebrates over 100,000 people worldwide – Upworthy).
5. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – Prom Safety & “Prom Promise”
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – one of the nation’s largest traffic safety nonprofits – leads campaigns each prom season to prevent underage drinking and promote safe celebrations. MADD’s initiatives focus on educating both teens and parents about the dangers of alcohol or drugs on prom night. One signature effort is the “Prom Promise”, a pledge students sign to commit to a substance-free prom night and safe transportation (MADD’s Promposal – Take the Prom Promise to Avoid Alcohol) (MADD’s Promposal – Take the Prom Promise to Avoid Alcohol). Many high schools, often in coordination with local MADD chapters, hold Prom Promise events where students hear presentations and sign banners or posters vowing not to drink or ride with an impaired driver (MADD’s Promposal – Take the Prom Promise to Avoid Alcohol) (MADD’s Promposal – Take the Prom Promise to Avoid Alcohol). MADD supports these with its Promposal program – a free 30-45 minute interactive classroom presentation featuring “lifesaving information about the dangers of alcohol, cannabis, and medications” and real stories from victims of drunk-driving crashes (MADD’s Promposal – Take the Prom Promise to Avoid Alcohol) (MADD’s Promposal – Take the Prom Promise to Avoid Alcohol). This program empowers juniors and seniors to make safe choices and plan ahead (e.g. designate a sober driver or use rideshare) so that “nothing will spoil” their prom memories (MADD’s Promposal – Take the Prom Promise to Avoid Alcohol).
Impact: MADD’s prom safety campaigns reach thousands of teens nationwide each spring. For example, in April–May MADD mobilizes volunteers across the country to hold workshops, school assemblies, and parent meetings as part of its PowerTalk21 underage drinking prevention initiative (timed around prom and graduation) (MADD, Nationwide Launch ‘21 Ways to Engage Challenge’ on 10th Anniversary of Power of Parents Program – MADD). The organization also reports that increased awareness and parental involvement can have measurable effects – one study cited by MADD found fewer teens drink and drive on prom night than their peers assume, indicating that these pledges and conversations are making a difference (Liberty Mutual/SADD Study Finds Few Teens Report Drinking and …). Schools that adopt Prom Promise often see nearly all students sign on, fostering a supportive peer environment for sober, responsible celebrating. In short, MADD’s annual push helps keep prom night “unforgettable for all the right reasons” by reducing tragic accidents.
Partnerships: MADD frequently collaborates with corporate and community partners in these campaigns. Notably, Nationwide Insurance has been a national presenting sponsor of MADD’s underage drinking prevention efforts, teaming up to encourage parent-teen discussions during prom season (MADD, Nationwide Launch ‘21 Ways to Engage Challenge’ on 10th Anniversary of Power of Parents Program – MADD). Many Prom Promise events are organized with local law enforcement, hospitals, and school PTA groups providing resources (like impaired driving simulators or breathalyzer demonstrations). MADD also works with AAA and other traffic safety groups to spread prom-night driving tips. This coalition approach – involving parents, schools, and sponsors – reinforces the message. For instance, MADD’s partnership with Nationwide and others during April’s Alcohol Awareness Month delivers “21 Ways to Engage” teens, helping parents creatively broach topics like prom night drinking (MADD, Nationwide Launch ‘21 Ways to Engage Challenge’ on 10th Anniversary of Power of Parents Program – MADD) (MADD, Nationwide Launch ‘21 Ways to Engage Challenge’ on 10th Anniversary of Power of Parents Program – MADD). Through these joint efforts, MADD extends its reach and ensures that the “Prom Promise” is heard loud and clear in communities coast to coast.
6. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) – Safe Prom Initiatives
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) is a national youth-led organization dedicated to student health and safety (SADD | Student Organization | Washington, DC). SADD chapters in high schools across the country take an active role in promoting safe, sober prom celebrations among their peers. One popular SADD program is the AAA “PROMise” campaign, run in partnership with the AAA Auto Club. Through this program, SADD provides schools with free PROMise toolkits (banners, pledge cards, and educational materials) that encourage teens to commit to alcohol- and drug-free behavior on prom night and to secure safe rides (PROMise | SADD) (Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Partners Advocate for Teen Safety during Prom, Graduation | Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Service). SADD students often host lunchtime booths or assemblies where classmates can sign the PROMise banner and receive reminders like wristbands or keychains about staying sober behind the wheel (AAA Prom Promise – Reduce TN Crashes). This peer-to-peer approach makes safety messaging more relatable – students rally each other to make smart choices and look out for friends during prom festivities.
Beyond pledges, many SADD chapters organize alcohol-free after-prom events as fun alternatives to house parties. These events, sometimes called “All-Night Grad” or “Project Prom” parties, give students a supervised place to continue celebrating once the dance ends – with games, prizes, and food lasting into the early hours. SADD collaborates with parents, schools, and local sponsors to host these all-night prom parties, aiming for a “tragedy-free” prom season (Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Partners Advocate for Teen Safety during Prom, Graduation | Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Service). By keeping teens entertained in a safe environment (often even locking in attendees until morning), these programs significantly reduce the temptation to drink or ride with someone unsafe after prom (Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Partners Advocate for Teen Safety during Prom, Graduation | Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Service).
Impact: SADD’s prom initiatives have been adopted in schools nationwide, contributing to steady declines in underage drinking and DUIs among teens during prom weekend. In Tennessee, for example, SADD’s partnerships helped cut down alcohol-related teen crashes through increased education and enforcement during prom/graduation season (Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Partners Advocate for Teen Safety during Prom, Graduation | Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Service) (Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Partners Advocate for Teen Safety during Prom, Graduation | Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Service). Students report that having a clear plan – whether taking the PROMise pledge or attending a SADD after-party – makes them feel more confident resisting peer pressure on prom night. The AAA PROMise program has extended to numerous states, reinforcing the parent-teen agreement that if a teen needs a safe ride on prom night, they will call home rather than make a risky choice (PROMise | SADD) (Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Partners Advocate for Teen Safety during Prom, Graduation | Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Service). This has undoubtedly saved lives. SADD’s youth-led model means teens themselves become the advocates for safety, creating a positive ripple effect in their schools each prom season.
Partnerships: SADD works closely with traffic safety organizations and sponsors to maximize its reach. Its partnership with AAA – The Auto Club Group provides funding and materials for the PROMise campaign in states like Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan and more (PROMise | SADD). Many state Highway Safety Offices and Departments of Transportation (DOTs) team up with SADD; for instance, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office joined with SADD and AAA to promote safe driving messages and compliance checks around prom time (Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Partners Advocate for Teen Safety during Prom, Graduation | Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Service). Local businesses often donate prizes for SADD’s alcohol-free after-prom parties (such as scholarships, gift cards, or even a car for a raffle) to entice participation. This community support, along with backing from national insurers and safety foundations, makes SADD’s prom campaigns both well-funded and widespread. By uniting students, parents, schools, and corporate sponsors in a common goal, SADD helps ensure prom night is remembered for fun – not tragedy.
