ONE WARM COAT WORKS TO KEEP HUMANITY ALIVE

One Warm Coat has spent more than three decades working to ensure that anyone in need has access to a free, warm coat. Founded in 1992 in San Francisco by one woman with a single coat to give, One Warm Coat has grown into a national nonprofit supporting a simple but powerful model: neighbors helping neighbors. Today, the organization works with nearly 2,000 local nonprofit partners across all 50 states to collect and distribute coats to children and adults in need while also reducing textile waste. Honored to do this interview with CEO Beth Amodio.

I learned that you joined One Warm Coat in 2018. Prior to that date, can you give us a background on some of your other professional endeavors? Secondly, since you have over 25 years of leadership experience, please do define for me what qualities a good leader must possess to be successful? 

When the opportunity arose to lead One Warm Coat, I was working in a development role at the University of South Carolina and juggling raising two boys as a single mom while getting my career back on track after a ten-year hiatus. It was a huge adjustment period, and the opportunity to work from home with a more flexible schedule was incredibly appealing. More importantly, One Warm Coat’s mission and operating model really resonated with me. I previously led the fundraising and communications efforts for Second Harvest Food Bank in Silicon Valley and I recognized that the same principles of community engagement that made food drives successful could be applied to collecting coats.

In terms of leadership, I think it begins with learning how to listen with intention. A good leader asks questions like, “What do you need?” and “How can I help?” and then takes action to remove barriers so their team can succeed. My responsibility as a leader is to ensure everyone has the tools and support they need—whether that is one-on-one guidance, opportunities for professional development, or something as practical as the right technology to do their job well. I also try to lead with “The Platinum Rule.” The Golden Rule encourages us to treat others as we would like to be treated, but the Platinum Rule goes a step further: treat others as they would like to be treated. That requires understanding each individual’s preferences, motivations, and needs. For example, I like presenting at conferences and networking with other nonprofit leaders, but that is not necessarily an opportunity that everyone on the team would enjoy. Leadership is recognizing those differences and supporting people in a way that allows them to do their best work. At its core, leadership is about creating an environment where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.

As to your educational resume, you have a BA in Psychology and Masters in Institutional Advancement. Might you speak on how often you are able to utilize that which you learned in these institutions? 

When I was in undergraduate school, I was interested in everything! I changed majors several times, and finally landed on Psychology because understanding how people view the world and what motivates them is a skill that can be useful in any industry and applied in any situation. As a senior in college, I interned in the university’s development office and accompanied the Vice President on a major donor visit. I enjoyed the experience and around that time became aware of a new graduate program at Vanderbilt University to prepare students to lead nonprofit and educational institutions. I draw on both degrees every day. Psychology has helped me understand how to build relationships, motivate teams, and communicate effectively, while my graduate education gave me the foundation in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development that continues to guide my work.

Could you name three of your biggest accomplishments to date while working in the non-profit sector?  

While leading the development function at Second Harvest Food Bank in California, my team managed the largest canned food drive in the country for three consecutive years. It was thrilling to lead such a big enterprise and to have so much impact.

While with the University of South Carolina, I was part of a team that launched the first Women in Business Conference, which has become an annual event and provides great networking and educational opportunities for students and alumni of the Darla Moore School of Business.

Finally, since joining One Warm Coat in 2018, the organization’s annual revenue has increased by 72%. I am particularly proud that this growth has allowed us to expand our impact and build stronger relationships with corporate sponsors, individual donors, and local nonprofit organizations across the country. 

I note you are a resident of Columbia, South Carolina. I just found out that this is also known as Soda City! I know you are known for your hospitality and historical architecture, but as a resident, why should we come and visit your fine state? 

I moved to Columbia, South Carolina from the San Francisco Bay Area almost twenty years ago and it was a definite culture shock! I was surprised to learn that the tourism tagline at the time was “Columbia: Famously Hot, Surprisingly Cool!” In the summer, it is hard to imagine any place more stiflingly hot than Columbia, South Carolina, but it is also “surprisingly cool”.

South Carolina has beautiful beaches, mountains, charming small towns, and wonderful food, but what I have come to appreciate most is the sense of community. Each Saturday, Main Street in Columbia closes to vehicle traffic and becomes Soda City Market, with food trucks, live music, and artisan vendors. The atmosphere is always fun and friendly! Lots of people bring their dogs and we love to take our German Shepherd Buddy - he is always very popular. Everyone wants to pet him and tell him how handsome he is.

One Warm Coat: 

The organization itself began in 1992. Since that time and now, how has One Warm Coat evolved? Moreover, what are a few factors that may have attributed to your charity being Top Rated Non-Profit by Great Non-Profits? 

One Warm Coat began in 1992 with a simple idea: collecting coats to help neighbors in need. Over the past thirty-four years, that grassroots effort has evolved into a national movement, engaging thousands of individuals, businesses, schools, and community organizations in sharing warmth. What began as a single annual coat drive in San Francisco each year has evolved into 5,000 coat drives across the country each year, providing warmth to people in need but also providing opportunities for thousands of people to get involved in their communities.

One remarkable thing about the organization is that it has always been virtual. There has not ever been a physical headquarters or brick and mortar location. Our model relies on the volunteer power of thousands of individuals and organizations across the country collecting coats that are then distributed locally through two thousand local nonprofit organizations in our network. There are only five people on our team, but because of our commitment to collaboration, we are able to facilitate the collection and distribution of half a million coats each year. One of our core values is to treat the people we serve with dignity and respect - that means all of the different constituencies we encounter. I think that’s what has kept One Warm Coat as a Top-Rated Non-Profit for many years in a row.

One Warm Coat is also a BBB Wise Giving Alliance accredited charity, holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, and has a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid. Those stellar ratings are possible in part due to our remote and virtual operating model, which enables us to direct ninety-three percent of all donated funds directly to programs and services and only seven percent to administration and fundraising.

You are in the daily business of doing acts of kindness while promoting volunteerism and environmental sustainability. Could you share where your efforts have been most helpful as to location and demographic?  

One Warm Coat works with nonprofit organizations in communities across the country, from major metropolitan areas to smaller towns and rural communities. Our nonprofit partners serve a wide range of populations, including children, low-income families, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and older adults.

One population we are particularly concerned about right now is seniors. New U.S. Census Bureau data highlights the growing financial challenges facing older Americans. According to the AARP Foundation, more than ten million adults age sixty five and older lived below the Supplemental Poverty Measure threshold in 2025. The poverty rate among older adults reached 15.4%, compared with 9.4%, in 2020. These statistics are an important reminder that the need for something as basic as a warm coat affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

One Warm Coat partners with over 2,000 non-profits and schools. Might you explain the process for selection of partnering?  

Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or public school can join our network free of charge and be eligible to receive free coats through our programs to distribute to the people they serve. They must be in good standing with the IRS and sign a commitment to distribute the coats free of charge and without discrimination. Over the past year, the number of nonprofits joining our network has increased by more than thirty percent. Many nonprofits are struggling with fewer resources (loss of government funding and fewer donations from individuals) but more clients seeking assistance. They are looking for ways to maximize their financial and human resources and that is where One Warm Coat comes in. We help them share warmth with the people they serve so they can focus on their primary mission.

Through your Zero Waste Initiative, over one million pounds of clothing have been diverted from landfills. Explain to those reading this piece why you feel all of us should be doing our part to protect the environment.  

One Warm Coat believes that helping people and protecting the environment can go hand in hand. Our programs cumulatively divert more than 1.2 million pounds of clothing from landfills each year. The Zero Waste Initiative provides a much-needed solution for manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers with overstock, samples, and irregular outerwear, and keeps millions of pounds of clothing out of landfills. It is a simple and sustainable way for clothing brands to clear out excess inventory while supporting communities and eliminating textile waste.

Do further elaborate on both your Coat Drive Program and Disaster Relief. Can anyone get involved in assisting in these, regardless of their location? 

The Coat Drive Program is accessible for anyone and everyone to participate! Thousands of individuals and organizations across the country register to hold coat drives each year, including a number of children and teens. Regardless of where you live, One Warm Coat makes it easy to give back to your community by collecting coats. It works anywhere in the country because if you hold a coat drive in Minnesota, people will typically donate thick coats with hoods while a coat drive in Florida tends to collect raincoats and windbreakers. Since all of the items collected are then distributed to local people in need, it works in any climate. 

The Disaster Relief Program operates on a similar principle. When natural disasters strike, One Warm Coat works with local organizations and volunteers to help provide appropriate outerwear to impacted communities. By working through local partners, we're able to respond to the specific needs of each community.

Over 500,000 coats a year are collected and distributed a year by One Warm Coat. That is truly commendable. For those reading this who may be in need, how does one go about receiving a donation? Secondly, what types of donations do you accept? 

Thank you! We are proud that our small team of five people facilitates the distribution of free coats to approximately half a million people in need each year. This is possible because of our collaborative model, with thousands of volunteers collecting coats and local nonprofit organizations distributing them directly to people in their communities.

One Warm Coat does not distribute coats directly to individuals. Instead, people in need of a coat should contact local nonprofit organizations, shelters, or community service agencies to learn about available resources.

One Warm Coat drives accept all types of outerwear - anything that can be worn as protection from the elements, including heavy jackets, raincoats, windbreakers, hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves. Financial donations are also welcome and help support our programs, making it possible for us to share warmth with communities across the country. Every dollar donated warms one person.

To find places locally to donate coats or to register to hold a community coat drive, readers can visit www.onewarmcoat.org or email info@onewarmcoat.org for more information.