You can donate a used oxygen concentrator to international medical aid organizations like Project C.U.R.E., to local medical equipment loan closets, or to community programs that redistribute devices to people who can’t afford them. The best option depends on whether your unit still works, where you live, and whether you want a tax deduction.
International Medical Aid Organizations
Project C.U.R.E. is one of the largest nonprofits accepting donated medical equipment in the U.S., and they specifically list oxygen concentrators as items they need. They collect devices at warehouse locations across the country, then sort, pack, and ship them to hospitals and clinics in developing nations. You can check their website for the nearest drop-off point or arrange a pickup for larger donations.
MedShare operates a similar model, accepting used medical supplies and equipment for redistribution to healthcare facilities in underserved countries. Other organizations worth checking include Direct Relief, Partners for World Health, and International Medical Equipment Collaborative (IMEC). Each has slightly different intake processes, so contact them first to confirm they’re currently accepting oxygen concentrators at their nearest location.
Local Loan Closets and Community Programs
If you’d rather keep your donation close to home, medical equipment loan closets are one of the best options. These are small, community-run programs, often housed in senior centers, churches, disability service organizations, or VFW posts, that lend equipment to neighbors at little or no cost. Montgomery County, Maryland, for example, maintains a directory of loan closets at senior centers and churches that accept walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, and medical devices.
Programs like the Medical Equipment Reuse Network (MERN), run through independent living centers, provide equipment to people with disabilities at no charge beyond a small refundable deposit (typically around $10). These programs rely entirely on individual donations and often don’t receive dedicated funding, so a working oxygen concentrator is genuinely valuable to them.
To find a loan closet near you, search for “medical equipment loan closet” plus your county or city name. You can also call your local Area Agency on Aging, a nearby independent living center, or 211 (the United Way helpline) for referrals. Many of these programs don’t have large web presences, so a phone call is often the fastest route.
How to Prepare Your Concentrator
Before donating, take a few steps to make the device ready for its next user. Wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth and mild soap. Remove and wash the air intake filters, then let them air dry completely before reinserting. If the unit has a humidifier bottle, wash it with soap and warm water, then soak it for 20 minutes in a mixture of three parts white vinegar to one part water, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry.
Throw away any nasal cannulas, tubing, or masks. These are personal-use items and shouldn’t be passed along. Most receiving organizations will replace them with new ones anyway. If you still have the original power cord, carrying case, or user manual, include those. They make the device far more useful to whoever gets it next.
One important detail: note whether the unit is working or not. Most donation programs only accept functioning concentrators. If yours powers on, runs quietly, and produces airflow, it’s a good candidate. If it’s making unusual noises, overheating, or failing to deliver oxygen properly, it likely needs professional servicing before anyone can use it.
What to Do With a Broken Unit
A non-working oxygen concentrator counts as electronic waste and should not go in your curbside recycling bin. It contains a compressor, circuit boards, and potentially a lithium battery (in portable models), all of which require proper handling.
Your first option is repair. Check the manufacturer’s website, iFixit, or YouTube for troubleshooting guides. Some issues, like a worn-out filter or a tripped thermal switch, are simple fixes that could make the unit donatable again.
If repair isn’t feasible, take the unit to a certified electronics recycler. The EPA recommends using facilities certified under the e-Stewards or R2 programs, which follow strict environmental and data-destruction standards. You can search for nearby certified recyclers on the e-Stewards and R2 websites. Many counties also accept medical electronics at household hazardous waste collection events. Portable models with embedded batteries will fall under expanded e-waste rules in some states starting in 2026, so recycling them properly now avoids future complications.
Claiming a Tax Deduction
Donating a working oxygen concentrator to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit entitles you to a tax deduction based on the item’s fair market value at the time of donation. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller on the open market, not what you originally paid or what a new replacement costs.
For most used concentrators, the practical way to estimate this is to check what similar models in similar condition are selling for on eBay, Craigslist, or medical equipment resale sites. A stationary home concentrator that originally cost $800 to $2,000 might have a fair market value of $100 to $500 depending on age, brand, hours of use, and condition. Portable units tend to hold value better.
For donations valued under $250, you need a written receipt from the receiving organization showing the date, location, and a description of the item. For donations between $250 and $500, you also need a written acknowledgment from the charity confirming they didn’t provide you goods or services in exchange. Above $500, you’ll file IRS Form 8283 with your tax return and provide additional details about how you acquired the item and determined its value. Donations claimed at over $5,000 require a qualified independent appraisal, though most individual oxygen concentrators won’t reach that threshold.
Prescription Device Considerations
Oxygen concentrators are classified as prescription medical devices by the FDA, which means they were originally dispensed under a doctor’s order. This doesn’t prevent you from donating one, but it does mean the receiving organization needs to handle distribution appropriately. Established nonprofits like Project C.U.R.E. and medical loan closets already have processes for this. If you’re donating to a smaller group or directly to an individual, be aware that the recipient technically needs a prescription to use the device for supplemental oxygen therapy.
Organizations shipping concentrators overseas must also meet export requirements under federal law. Again, major aid organizations handle this as part of their standard operations. If you’re working with a smaller charity or church group planning to send equipment abroad, they should verify their shipment complies with FDA export rules before it leaves the country.