Why Charity Quilting Matters.
A quilt is not just warmth. For a veteran coming home from deployment, it's proof someone sees their sacrifice. For a child in foster care, it's the one thing that's truly theirs when everything else changes. For a family in a homeless shelter, it's a piece of dignity in a place that strips it away. The Inland Northwest quilting community has understood this for generations — and the organizations that channel this generosity are as active here as anywhere in the country.
Quilts of Valor — Honoring Veterans.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF) awards handmade quilts to service members and veterans who have been "touched by war." Since its founding in 2003, the organization has awarded over 370,000 quilts nationwide. The Lewis-Clark chapter covers North Idaho and Eastern Washington with 66 active members, and there are additional groups in the Spokane area including the Garland Church QOV group.
To nominate a veteran, visit qovf.org and submit a nomination form. Any living service member or veteran who has been affected by military service is eligible. Quilts are never awarded posthumously, never on Memorial Day, and never used as casket drapes — the foundation is firm on these points because the quilt is meant to be used, slept under, and felt by the person it honors.
QOV Size and Construction Requirements
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 55 × 65 inches |
| Maximum size | 72 × 90 inches |
| Ideal size | 60 × 80 inches |
| Fabric | 100% cotton, quality quilting fabric |
| Construction | Machine or hand quilted, bound, labeled |
| Themes | Patriotic encouraged but not required |
| Label | QOV label must be sewn on back |
Project Linus — Blankets for Children.
Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children in need — kids in hospitals, shelters, foster care, and trauma situations. Named after the Peanuts character who finds comfort in his blanket, the organization distributes approximately 300 blankets daily through local chapters nationwide.
Requirements are strict because the blankets go to vulnerable children: they must be new (never used), handmade, machine-washable, from a smoke-free and pet-free environment, with a minimum shortest side of 36 inches. No buttons, beads, ribbons, or any embellishment that could be a choking hazard. Flannel, cotton, and fleece are all accepted.
Lutheran World Relief — Quilts for the World.
Lutheran World Relief mission quilts are shipped to disaster areas, refugee camps, and communities in extreme poverty worldwide. The quilts serve as bedding, room dividers, shelter material, and protection against weather. LWR quilts must be exactly 60×80 inches, tied or quilted with knots 4-6 inches apart, and contain no flags, camouflage, or religious symbols — because the quilts cross cultural and religious boundaries in their destinations.
Locally, Pilgrim Lutheran Quilters in Spokane have been making LWR quilts since 1985 — that's four decades of steady, faithful work. Their model is instructive: they welcome everyone regardless of skill level, assigning tasks from cutting to pressing to tying based on ability. No sewing skills required to participate.
Local Organizations Accepting Donated Quilts.
Beyond the national organizations, several local groups and institutions accept donated quilts in the Inland Northwest:
Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane accepts quilts for pediatric patients through their volunteer services office. NICU quilts should be 30-36 inches square, made from flannel or soft cotton, with no loose embellishments.
Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene accepts comfort quilts through their volunteer coordinator.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace — North Idaho Chapter builds beds and accepts bedding for children who don't have a bed to sleep in.
Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls — the Patriotic Piecers group makes and donates quilts to residents.
Baskets of Blessings in Rathdrum distributes quilts directly to families in need in our community. 100% of our profits also go to these families and to food pantries, disaster relief, and mission work.
Are Donated Quilts Tax-Deductible?
Handmade quilts donated to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible at fair market value. You can deduct the cost of materials — fabric, batting, thread, binding — but not the value of your labor or time. Keep receipts for all supplies purchased for charity quilts. Donations valued over $500 require IRS Form 8283, and donations over $5,000 require a qualified appraisal. For most quilters making standard charity quilts, the materials deduction is straightforward at $50-150 per quilt.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Where can I donate handmade quilts near Spokane?
Lewis-Clark Quilts of Valor, Project Linus, Pilgrim Lutheran Quilters, Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, Kootenai Health, Sleep in Heavenly Peace North Idaho, and Baskets of Blessings in Rathdrum all accept donated quilts.
What are the requirements for donating a quilt?
Requirements vary: QOV quilts must be 55×65 to 72×90 inches in 100% cotton. Project Linus blankets must be 36+ inches, new, washable, from smoke/pet-free homes, no buttons or beads. LWR quilts must be exactly 60×80 inches with no flags or religious symbols.
Are donated quilts tax-deductible?
Yes — materials cost is deductible when donated to a 501(c)(3). You cannot deduct labor or time. Keep all fabric and supply receipts. Form 8283 is required for donations over $500.
How do I nominate a veteran for a Quilt of Valor?
Submit a nomination at qovf.org. Any living service member or veteran touched by war is eligible. Quilts are never awarded posthumously or on Memorial Day.
What size quilt does Project Linus accept?
Minimum 36 inches on the shortest side. Must be new, handmade, washable, from smoke/pet-free environment, with no buttons, beads, or ribbons that could be choking hazards.
Last Updated: May 2026