Sharing the joy of dance

Second Stage Dance

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We are on a mission to make dance more accessible, affordable and sustainable for all.
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What we do

We are a Registered Canadian Charity that supports dancers from underserved communities by providing them with the dance items, scholarships or grants they need for experiencing the joy of dance.

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Do you know a dance program or a dancer who could benefit from our support? have them start by completing this application below before connecting with us.

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Join our monthly mailing list to stay connected! Every month we release an update of what we’re currently working on and what we’re up to. Ofcourse, if you no longer want to hear from us you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Hello dancers!

are you ready to shine on stage?

Choose to find your costume with us

Whether you’re preparing for your next performance or looking for a more sustainable way to shop, our popular costume reuse program has you covered. We provide free options for qualifying dance programs and low-cost options for those looking to avoid buying new.

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what we do

our programs

Check out what we’re currently doing to make a positive impact in the dance community.

Dance Item Donations

Donate your gently used or new dance items to us and we will match them with a dance program in need.

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Scholarships

We provide financial aid for dancers to participate in advance training at partnering studios and workshops.

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Workshops

Guidance for studios on how to introduce more sustainable and cost effective costume options that expand participation.

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We couldn’t do this without your feedback and direction from our team

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Why donate to us

The challenges we’re tackling with your support

For us, our mission is more than finding a second home for dance costumes. It’s about innovating an industry away from the fast fashion culture it has relied on for too long.

Competitive dance costumes are often treated like fast fashion—worn just a few times each season before being stored away or discarded. For a single dancer taking multiple styles, it’s common to accumulate 10 or more costumes annually. These costumes come with a hefty price tag and a short lifespan. This single-use production cycle not only creates tons of clothing waste, but it also is the cause of financial strain for many dancers. At SSD, we look to change the value of each dance costume by extending it’s life cycle, ensuring that no piece goes unwanted and untouched.


As dancers grow more serious, the fees and expenses increase—making dance less accessible for many talented individuals. We’ve broken down the true cost of competitive dance in our blog post here, and it’s clear that the barrier is high. That’s why we’re committed to supporting dancers from underserved communities by providing free or affordable dancewear and costumes—and offering scholarships that make training and growth possible for everyone who dreams of dancing.


Dancewear’s synthetic fabrics are designed to be durable, sweat-resistant, and comfortable—but they come with a steep environmental price. These materials consume natural resources during production and can harm the planet when disposed of improperly. At Second Stage Dance, we prioritize gently used items to keep costumes and dancewear circulating longer. Our reuse program helps these beautiful pieces stay in motion until their materials can eventually be recycled, reducing waste and conserving resources.


By supporting Second Stage Dance, you’re joining a movement of dancers and programs dedicated to inclusion and sustainability. We provide underserved dance programs access to free dancewear and costumes through our inventory platform, making it easy for them to request and receive items at no cost. Beyond that, we empower dancers to give back through events and donations—growing a global community that uplifts each other and keeps the art of dance alive for all.

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We prioritize recirculating new and gently used items to promote sustainability within the dance community.

would you like to join in and expand the impact were making?

You don’t need to provide costumes to support our mission

Some of the other ways you can support us
MONETARY DONATION AMAZON WISHLIST SHOP OUR STOREFRONTS BUY FROM OUR STORE
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make your studio more sustainable

Download our list of 22 ways to reduce your carbon footprint. This list includes everything from our suggestions for your costume program, to everyday tasks that can be automated or moved online to reduce time and paper waste.

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Shop our storefronts

10% of our incoming donations from dancers goes to our online stores to support our fundraising

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