Donations 101 – The Scoop on What, Where, and How to Donate Your Unwanted Items
Do you, like me begin the new year with a home ‘clean out’? Though I try to be intentional about discarding unwanted items throughout the year, I am amazed at the amount of stuff that still manages to accumulate. This month’s blog focus is home organization, and in preparation for de-cluttering, this week’s blog contains advice on what, where, and how to donate your unwanted items, including links to schedule item pick up online.
How do I determine which items to get rid of?
As a general rule, if you haven’t used an item in the past year or two, have duplicates of it, the item does not suit your current aesthetic or taste, it does not fit, your family has outgrown it (for example children’s toys or games), you are moving and will not have room or a need for the item (such as garden tools when moving to an apartment), these items are good candidates for donation.
What items are acceptable for donation?
It should be noted that items are not universally accepted by charities. Donation centers and pick up services have the right to refuse items based on saleability, storage capacity, and item weight. In addition, some items (by law) are not acceptable for donation anywhere.
Here is a list of items generally ACCEPTED by most donation sites or pickup services:
- clothing, coats, outerwear, boots, and shoes
- jewelry and accessories
- purses, hats, and bags
- books (mold and mildew-free with no torn or highlighted pages)
- CD’s and DVDs
- unused craft items – yarn, buttons, fabric, etc.
- small furniture items – coffee table, small chairs, nightstands, bookshelves, mirrors
- household décor, framed art, baskets, lamps, curtains/drapes
- bedding and linens
- kitchenware – pots/pans, storage containers, flatware, etc.
- small appliances
- sewing machines
- seasonal items
- toys and games
- bicycles, sports equipment
- computers
- small electronics, video games and consoles
- hand tools, battery-powered tools
The following items are only accepted by specialized charities, such as the Habitat for Humanity Restore locations:
- building materials – such as lumber, insulation, plumbing supplies
- hardware – nails, screws, hinges
- windows, doors, shutters
- cabinets, sinks, tubs
- flooring
- lighting and light fixtures
- large appliances
- upholstered furniture
- large furniture items – bedroom sets, living or dining room furniture, desks
Here is a list of items UNACCEPTABLE for donation. These items cannot be donated to (most) thrift stores or charitable organizations due to health, safety, environmental, or government restrictions.
- food or beverages
- used or open makeup, cleaning supplies
- child’s car seats
- cribs
- baby walkers
- magazines or newspapers
- encyclopedias
- hazardous materials such as chemicals, paints, solvents, gas cans, propane tanks
- tires
- old televisions, projection tv’s
- mattresses or box springs
- used air conditioners
- large appliances
- gas-powered tools
- large swimming pools
- automotive parts
- items recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
If you have items on the do not donate list, don’t toss them yet! There is truth in the idiom, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. Items which are unfit for sale or have questionable value can be offered online at sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Kijiji, Nextdoor, Mercari, or Buy Nothing.
Crafters, artists, seamstresses, and others often look to re-purpose broken, mismatched, or incomplete items such as glassware, broken pottery, windows, or tiles. Collectors comb these sites to search for missing pieces to complete a dishware set, antique toy, or game.
If posting online seems to be too much trouble, set your items outside your home with a ‘free’ sign for the day, you’d be surprised at how quickly they will be snatched up (of course if they aren’t claimed you will have to dispose of them, don’t leave them out longer than a few hours).
Keep in mind pet shelters (or animal rescues) may accept worn blankets, linens, and towels which are not resell-able. They may also accept bags of pet food, shredded bedding, cages, and toys – check with your local shelter (or rescue) to find out.
Many unwanted items (newspapers for example) can be recycled, and landfill/dump locations offer hazardous waste disposal services for items such as old paint or electronics.
In addition, scrap metal collectors will remove your (often heavy) metal-based items for free.
How do I prepare my stuff for donation?
Charities (via thrift stores) are looking to resell your unwanted items, so these need to be in good condition. Donated items should be free of tears, holes, stains, mold, mildew, and foul odors. They should not be expired, broken, or have missing parts.
Once you have sorted your items, it is time to prepare them for donation. Here are some guidelines:
- Wash clothes, linens, dishes, glassware, toys, and other items which can be cleaned.
- Ensure DVDs and CDs are in the correct case.
- Test equipment to be sure it is in working order.
- For items with multiple parts, such as games, puzzles, or flatware sets gather all of the pieces and place them together in a box or bag. Include any instructions if available and label the items/boxes/bags if necessary.
I don’t have access to a vehicle, can I still donate?
Yes!
Most charities offer home pick-up service, either directly or through a contracted moving or junk-hauling company. It is important to plan ahead as most pick up services schedule a week or more in advance. If you need the item removed quickly, you may have to hire a junk hauler or moving company.
1. Donation Town provides a nationwide directory of charities which are willing to pick up your donations. Simply visit their website and enter your zip code for a list in your area.
2. Pick Up My Donation has been in operation since 2012. With a network of over 8,000 partners across the United States, this organization connects donors with a professional moving partner such as 1-800-GOT-JUNK or College Hunks Hauling Junk, to procure your items. An advantage to using this service is they are able to transport large items which cannot easily be loaded into a donation truck (most charity trucks only accept items weighing less than 50 lbs).
This resource is free, though they offer a priority pick-up option, which is a paid service.
Place your clean, sorted, and tested items in boxes, plastic bins, or bags labeled with the charity’s name or initials and the word ‘donation’. Pin or tape a paper with the charity’s name to larger items such as tables or chairs.
Set your items outside in the designated pick-up location either the night before or morning of the donation truck’s scheduled arrival. In case of rain or foul weather, attempt to protect the items from the elements as pick ups are not typically canceled. Mark the pick-up date and time (often a range of a few hours) on your calendar so you don’t forget and make an effort to be home, especially if you have interior items to be picked up!
Though most charities automatically provide a receipt for tax purposes, be sure to request a receipt when booking the appointment if this documentation is important to you.
Where should I donate my stuff?
With the current state of the economy and prices for goods skyrocketing, I would say an excellent place to start is to ask friends, family, and/or neighbors if they need or want your stuff. Perhaps they even have something you need, in this case a trade might be the perfect solution! Swaps can also be arranged on neighborhood social media sites. To reach a larger audience, try Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Kijiji, Nextdoor, Mercari, or Buy Nothing.
Other possible takers may be churches with furniture ministries or school art programs (they may want craft items such as buttons, old magazines, or newspapers). Preschools or daycare providers may take unwanted toys, games, storage containers, and bookshelves.
Used book and record stores can be a good place to unload boxes of unwanted books or CDs, and you can get cash or even store credit to purchase new (to you) items, a win-win! Books can also be donated to local men or woman’s shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, a prison library, and neighborhood little free libraries. If you are local to me (Maryland) your unwanted books can be brought to the Book Thing, located in downtown Baltimore. While there, you can pick up as many books as you like, they are free!
If you are pressed for time or just want to get rid of all your junk in one foul swoop, donating to an organized charity or thrift store may be your best option. If you choose the truck ‘pick up’ option, you don’t even need to leave your home!
- Arrange for home pick up service, as discussed earlier
- Drop off items yourself at a thrift store location – many are drive-through and have helpers to assist with unloading your vehicle. Check the hours of operation before you leave your home. I have found that some donation centers have changed their hours in the past couple of years. For instance, our local Goodwill is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and only open until 4 pm the rest of the week. If you arrive and they are closed, do not leave your items unattended at a drop-off location, you may be ticked for littering!
- Utilize charity donation bins. Place items in the large metal containers found in shopping center parking lots – pro: easy, can do at any time of day or night con: must lift and move the stuff yourself, can only fit items of a smaller size, sometimes bins are full or the handle is broken, no tax slip
- Drop off items at a mobile donation center, typically a semi-truck in a parking lot. Check for location and hours online (Goodwill has mobile donation centers).
Donation Collection Sites
The following is a list of charities which accept physical donations. In order to research if a charity’s values are in line with your own (if this is important to you), I have included a brief introduction or history of these charities, as well as a description of how the donation revenue is spent.
You may also wish to visit one or both of these websites which grade various charitable organizations.
Please note, though I have included an overview of items each charity accepts, a detailed list is typically found on the website as well as any items they specifically refuse.
If you are uncertain if an item will be accepted, contact the charity directly.
In addition, this blog deals with physical ‘household’ donations. It should be noted that all charities accept monetary donations and many are happy to receive donations of stock and real estate.
1. Salvation Army
Serving 131 countries around the world since 1865, the Salvation Army is generally considered the best overall donation site for used items. Funds raised from the sale of donated items are used to provide services for a wide range of individuals and groups, including the impoverished, at-risk youth, the elderly, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, addiction counseling, and disaster relief services. The Salvation Army offers assistance to over 2 million people annually in the United States.
The Salvation Army’s motto is ‘sharing is caring’, and they are committed to meeting human needs without discrimination.
Donation Advice: in my personal experience, some stores do not accept toy donations (liability issues)
Items accepted: the above list plus used cars, mattresses, furniture
Label Directions: Mark your items clearly with ‘SA’.
Donation pick up can be scheduled by visiting: https://satruck.org
Taxes: a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization
2. Goodwill Industries
Founded in 1902, the Goodwill has thrift stores across North America.
Funds raised help provide jobs and job-training programs for at-risk youth, the elderly, those who have been incarcerated, and people with disabilities.
Items accepted: the above list, but check with individual locations to be certain
Label Directions: Mark your items clearly with ‘GW’ or ‘Goodwill ’.
Donation pick up can be scheduled by visiting: https://www.goodwill.org/donors/donate-stuff
Contact your local store directly to get information on pick ups, mobile (semi-truck) drop-off locations, and store donation times – as mentioned earlier, the one nearest to us has limited hours and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Taxes: a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
3. Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity has helped construct homes for over 39 million people across all 50 states and in more than 70 countries.
In addition to providing affordable, safe housing individuals and families in need Habitat participates in neighborhood revitalization, helps older adults remain in their homes, rebuilds areas following disaster, and provides financial education for new or potential homeowners.
Their thrift stores, called Habitat for Humanity ReStores, are located throughout the United States.
Items accepted: building materials and hardware, appliances, large furniture, cabinets, sinks, bathroom fixtures, lighting, plumbing parts, tiles, flooring, doors, windows, shutters, plywood, area rugs,
Additional Items accepted: used cars
Label Directions: Mark your items clearly with ‘Habitat for Humanity’.
Donation pick up can be scheduled by visiting: https://www.habitat.org/restores/donate-goods
Taxes: a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
4. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
This group was founded in Paris in 1833 and currently has over 800,000 members in over 150 countries. Consisting mainly of lay Catholics this organization serves the poor, lonely, and suffering and according to their website, “those who are marginalized or voiceless”. Home visits are emphasized in order to assess need and connect on a personal level, and to provide spiritual as well as physical care.
St. Vincent de Paul addresses community and individual needs through programs such as disaster relief services, the Back2Work program which provides job training and placement services, thrift stores, food pantries, housing programs, prison reentry programs, and medical services.
Items accepted: above list with an emphasis on clothing, furniture, used cars, real estate
Donation items are also accepted in marked metal bins placed throughout the United States.
Label Directions: Mark your items clearly with ‘SSV’.
In-person donations and local pick up can be scheduled by visiting: https://ssvpusa.org/assistance-services for a link to regional locations.
Taxes: a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
5. The Arc
Founded in 1950, The Arc’s goal is to affect public policy using advocacy groups. It serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with over 600 chapters and over 1000 programs throughout the USA.
Items accepted: used cars, electronics, furniture
Label Directions: Mark your items clearly with ‘The Arc’
Donation pick up can be scheduled by visiting: https://thearc.org/get-involved/ways-give/donate-physical-items
Taxes: a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
6. Purple Heart Foundation
Founded in 1957 the foundation supports combat-wounded veterans and honorably discharged veterans and their families. The Purple Heart Foundation partners with local thrift stores to sell good received via donation. The revenue is donated back to Purple Heart for use nationwide.
The Foundation helps ease soldiers’ transition from battlefield to home, provides PTSD resources, service dogs, scholarships, and critical financial assistance grants.
Additional Items accepted: the above list and small furniture weighing less than 50 lbs.
Label Directions: Mark your items clearly with ‘Purple Heart donation’
Donation pick up can be scheduled by visiting: https://purpleheartfoundation.org/clothing-donations
Home Clean-out Service: The Purple Heart Foundation uses GreenDrop pickup services and provides a concierge to select, organize, and pack items for donation. Contact concierge@gogreendrop.com or call 1-888-575-7700
Taxes: a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
7. Am-Vets National Service Foundation
According to their website, Am-Vets is “the nations most inclusive veterans organization, open to all who have honorably served”. Founded in 1948, Am-Vets provides counsel, assistance filing VA claims, housing, suicide prevention services, medal services, burial assistance, educational scholarships including the Freedoms Foundation scholarship https://www.freedomsfoundation.org , and Veterans Day Wreaths of Remembrance. Am-Vets has physical store locations in 22 states.
Additional Items accepted: musical instruments, computers, flat screen tv’s, lawnmowers, vehicles
Label Directions: Mark your items clearly with ‘AMVET NSF’
Donation pick up can be scheduled by visiting: https://www.amvetspickup.org
Find Thrift Store Locations: https://amvetsnsf.org/thrift-stores
Taxes: a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
8. Vietnam Veterans of America
Founded in 1978 by Vietnam Veterans to serve the specific needs of those who participated in the Vietnam War. This organization has a presence in 48 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Philippines.
The Vietnam Veterans organization does not own thrift stores for direct sales, instead it sells donated items via a bidding process to privately owned thrift stores. Proceeds received from the sale of goods benefit disabled veterans obtain assistance from the federal government, with housing, addiction counseling and recovery, and medical care. They also sponsor volunteer organizations and community groups such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and youth sports.
Items accepted: the above list, tools
Items must be small and light enough for 1-person to handle
Label Directions: Mark your items clearly with ‘VVA Pick Up’
Donations: uses a service called Clothing Donations call 1-888-518-8387 or visit https://www.clothingdonations.org
Taxes: a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
9. Lupus Foundation
Lupus is an autoimmune disease which causes pain, swelling, and inflammation of the skin, joints, heart, and kidneys. It can affect men and women of all ages, but mainly women between the ages of 18-44 years. According to their website, the Lupus Foundation of America’s mission is to “improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus through programs of research, education, support and advocacy”.
Items accepted: the above list especially tools, but no large items or furniture. Accepts used vehicles.
Label Directions: mark bags and boxes with ‘LF’
Donation pick up can be scheduled by visiting: https://www.lupus.org/ways-to-give/donate-household-goods for drop off and affiliated thrift store locations or to schedule a pick up.
Note- this service is available in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York
Taxes: a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
10. Dress for Success
Founded in 1997, Dress for Success has helped 1.3 million women in 23 countries achieve financial independence and self-sufficiency by providing business attire, job placement assistance, and support.
Items accepted: business attire and accessories such as belts, scarves, and bags.
Find your local affiliate: https://dressforsuccess.org/affiliate-list
Taxes: Dress for Success affiliates are non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.
Tax Break! Your donated items, when given to a registered charitable organizations (as all listed in this blog are) are tax deductible, so keep your receipt. You can request a receipt when dropping off items yourself. No receipts are given for items placed in the large (unmanned) bins seen in shopping center parking lots.
Pick up services are supposed to leave a receipt (often at the front door), check with the company if for some reason you do not receive one.
For tax purposes you will have to give each of your donated items a monetary value. To assist with this, I am including a link to the donated items value guide from the Salvation Army’s website. https://satruck.org/Home/DonationValueGuide
To view the IRS guide for taxable donations, please visit: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc506
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Thank you!
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