Planet Aid

Planet Aid, Inc.
FormationOctober 1997; 27 years ago (1997-10)
Founded atHolliston, Massachusetts
Type501(c)(3) NGO
04-3348171
HeadquartersElkridge, Maryland
Region
Chief Executive and Co-founder
Ester Neltrup
Board Chair and Co-founder
Mikael Norling
Affiliations
Websiteplanetaid.org

Planet Aid is a non-profit organization headquartered in Elkridge, Maryland. Its primary activity is the collection of clothing and other household items for resale and recycling. Founded in 1997 in Massachusetts,[5][6] the organization has expanded down the East Coast of the United States and operates in 23 states,[7] where it collects items through donation bins placed on sidewalks, parking lots, and other public areas.

Some of the proceeds, along with U.S. government grants, are used for charitable aid in Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and other African nations.

The American Institute of Philanthropy's CharityWatch has given the organization an "F" rating, disputing Planet Aid's assessment of its charitable spending.[8][9][10][11] Investigations by media and government agencies have also found discrepancies in the stated amount of Planet Aid's charitable expenses, as well as alleged links between Planet Aid and the controversial Danish organization Tvind, whose leader, Mogens Amdi Petersen, is wanted on charges of fraud and tax evasion.[12][13] Planet Aid has denied these allegations.[14] Planet Aid is a member of the international charity group Humana People to People, an offshoot of Tvind.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference HPP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Global Campaign For Education United States Chapter". Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  3. ^ "Planet Aid". Interaction. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  4. ^ "Learn More About Planet Aid". Project Green Schools. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  5. ^ "Planet Aid expands into Pittsburgh for clothing recycling". American Recyler. February 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  6. ^ Wildman, David (March 19, 2000). "Ending Poverty is Ultimate Goal of Used Clothing Store". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  7. ^ Pacella, Rachael (February 24, 2016). "Catonsville's Planet Aid thrift store off to good start in first 5 months". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Weiss was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hoyer was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Eng was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Knezevich was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Thompson, Tisha; Yarborough, Rick; Smith, Matt; Walters, Amy; Jones, Steve; Piper, Jeff (May 24, 2016). "Behind the Bins: Former Planet Aid Employees Describe 'Cult-like' Experience". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  13. ^ Christensen, Kim (August 13, 2015). "Good intention or public nuisance? Cities brace for a resurgence of clothing donation bins". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  14. ^ Neltrup, Ester (May 25, 2016). "Planet Aid Letter to NBC Washington" (PDF). NBC Washington. Retrieved May 27, 2016.