Donating to charity is a great way to get rid of things you no longer want or need when you move. If you’ve read our articles on packing and planning, you know we’re big advocates of using your move as an opportunity to take inventory of what you own. The goal is to get rid of those things that, as famous cleaning author and Netflix star Marie Kondo would say, don’t “spark joy” in your life instead of just dragging them with you to your new home. but of course you have a lot on your plate when preparing for a move. Using charities that offer donation collection allows you to make a difference and save time – in our book, it’s a win-win.
To help make your life even easier, we’ve compiled the following list of eight charities that offer donation pickups right from your home, donation tips, and information on donating furniture, books, and clothing. start organizing, schedule a collection date and discover how easy it is to give your unwanted items a new life.
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These eight organizations offer donation collection.
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the salvation army
When thinking about where to donate unwanted belongings, your mind may first go to the Salvation Army. And it makes sense: The Salvation Army has been in operation since 1865 and has a presence in 131 countries. Items are taken directly to those in need or sold at a Salvation Army store, and the organization offers free furniture pickup, among other things.
We recommend keeping your donation receipts and itemized list of all donated items for tax purposes. You can use the organization’s handy gift value guide to determine the approximate tax-deductible value of commonly donated belongings, including low and high estimates.
what they accept:
- furniture
- mattresses
- clothes
- kitchenware and miscellaneous appliances
- electronics
- books
- used cars
Who They Help: The Salvation Army helps those in need across a wide variety of spectrums, including victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, at-risk youth, the elderly, and victims of natural disasters. .
How to schedule a Salvation Army pickup: To schedule a Salvation Army pickup, go to satruck.org/donate/choose and enter your zip code. Please list the items you plan to donate and then schedule a collection date. Please note that you do not have to be home for the pickup; If necessary, you can leave the items outside your home, as long as you mark them “sa”.
goodwill
Another popular organization that will collect donated items is goodwill. It was founded in 1902 and has more than 3,200 stores in the United States. and Canada Your items will be taken to a nearby Goodwill store and sold at a deep discount to those in need. The money raised goes towards various initiatives, including job training and placement programs.
what they accept:
- furniture
- shoes and clothing
- toys and games
- electronics
- household items
- furniture
- art
- books
who they help: goodwill provides jobs and job training programs, as well as classes and community programs, for youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and people trying to get their lives back on track after a prison sentence. prison, among others.
How to schedule a goodwill pickup: To find out if your local goodwill store does pickup, you’ll need to contact them directly. You can locate a goodwill near you at goodwill.org/locator.
amvets national service foundation
amvets national service foundation has been serving the usa. uu. veterans since 1948. the organization operates in 22 u.s. states, with physical stores and collection of donations. Your donation helps support amvets’ charitable efforts, including community outreach programs and job training courses.
what they accept:
- small furniture and appliances
- clothing and accessories
- toys and games
- electronics
- bedding
- bicycles
- TVs, computers and exercise equipment five years old or newer
Who they help: amvets focuses on supporting us. war veterans, both men and women on active duty and those honorably discharged.
How to schedule an amvets pickup: Visit amvets.org/thrift-stores and scroll down to locate your state. If Amvets operates in your area, you will see a number you can call to arrange a donation pickup.
habitat for humanity
Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, helps provide decent, affordable housing to those in need around the world. They fund their efforts in part through habitat restoration thrift stores located in the US. uu. and are ideal places to make a furniture donation.
what they accept:
- furniture
- building materials
- household items
- appliances
who they help: families in need of affordable housing in the us. uu. and internationally.
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How to schedule a Habitat for Humanity pickup: To schedule a Habitat for Humanity pickup, go to habitat.org/stories/does-habitat-offer-furniture-donation-pickup and enter your zip code to see a complete list of habitat restorations in your area. then contact your nearest store directly to see if they do pick up.
the bow
the arc has been supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1950. they have more than 600 state and local chapters across the united states, with funds supported in part through thrift stores stocked with donated items.
what they accept:
- furniture and fixtures
- clothing and footwear
- electronics
- toys and games
- used cars
- books
who they help: children and adults with mental disabilities.
How to schedule an arch pickup: Go to https://donate.thearc.org/ and follow the appropriate link to register and schedule your pickup. You can also schedule over the phone by calling Arch at 1-800-283-2721.
pick up please
Pickup Please, a program that helps support Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), is not as widespread as the other organizations on this list. still, they offer a good solution for your furniture or clothing donation. they also collect a wide variety of other items. You can usually schedule a pickup as little as 24 hours in advance, which is great if you’re moving on a tight schedule.
what they accept:
- clothes
- household items
- toys
- electronics
- books
- material Sporting Goods & Tools
- Small Home Furnishings
- During pick-up please note that they will accept “almost anything”, items must be small and light enough for one person easily lift and carry. .
who they help: veterans from all over the united states. wars and of all ages. part of their work includes helping to fund general welfare and health care for disabled and homeless veterans. they also have a strong commitment to issues related to minority women and veterans.
how to schedule a pickup please pickup: visit pickupplease.org/donation-pickup and enter your zip code to see if pickup please offers services in your area. If you’re not home at your scheduled pick-up time, please leave items in bags or boxes outside your home labeled “vva donation pick-up”.
furniture bench net
Do you want to make a furniture donation? the furniture banking network, which operates in 34 states, may be the one you call for a free pickup. all accepted items are given to people in need who cannot afford to furnish their homes.
what they accept:
- furniture
- electronics
- small appliances
- household items
who they help: the working poor, the formerly homeless, women and children escaping domestic violence, immigrants, and others.
How to schedule a furniture bank network pickup: Visit furniturebanks.org/furniture-banks/ to find availability in your area and contact participating organizations near you. Please note that while not all participating organizations offer pickups, most do.
pickupmydonation.com
pickupmydonation.com is less of a charity than an organization that works with non-profit thrift stores to obtain donations for their needs. Regardless, it’s a great option for when you need to collect a donation and want to choose a local charity to receive your items.
what they accept:
- large items that cannot be easily donated without a truck
Who They Help: Since 2012, pickupmydonation.com has been helping nonprofit thrift stores in your area secure items they may need for their own operations or for those they care about. They’re helping. you choose who benefits from your donation, and pickupmydonation.com helps you connect with one of their partners (like college kids who haul garbage) to haul your big items.
How to schedule a pickup on pickupmydonation.com: Visit pickupmydonation.com to make a donation request, including a list of items to donate. Your application will be sent to the nearest non-profit thrift store and if they are interested and you meet the minimum size requirements, you will have a scheduled pickup. however, if your haul is not large enough to require a truck, they will direct you to the nearest drop off location.
donate what to do and what not
do:
- clean and disinfect each item
- wash or dry clean clothes
- make sure toys, puzzles, books, etc. are not damaged
- avoid donating children’s items that may pose a choking hazard
- test all equipment that requires electrical power or batteries
not:
- donate any dirty, expired, or broken items
- include anything considered dangerous, such as paint, cleaning supplies, and makeup
- donate anything that has been prohibited, recalled, or is too old to meet current safety standards (cribs, car seats, strollers, high chairs, etc.)
- if you are dropping off instead of scheduling a pickup Please don’t leave your donation unattended. instead, make sure someone from the donation site knows you’re here with your donation.
what you need to know about donating furniture
reduction? Do you want a home renovation? Many charities will gladly take the furniture off your hands, whether you’re upgrading your furniture, moving, or spring cleaning. All of the charities listed here accept small home furnishings such as chairs, nightstands, and coffee tables, but some charities do not accept heavy items like a bedroom set or sectional. that’s why it’s a good idea to call and ask first. Restore Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and The Salvation Army will take large furniture, such as gently used sofas, dining tables, desks, chairs, and beds. pickup please accepts only small items including mirrors, nightstands, headboards and office chairs.
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Instead of calling each charity to see if they’ll accept your furniture donation, you can also use the donation center to find a charity that meets your needs. once you provide your zip code, the online database will show you a list of charities in your area that will collect your donation. After choosing a charity, you can schedule a free pickup donation. And remember, your donation is tax deductible. so save that receipt.
If you’re not sure if your furniture is in good enough condition to be accepted for donation, you can always ask the charity directly. many also list what items they will and will not accept on their websites. Some examples include torn or stained upholstered furniture, furniture that smells like pets, and lighting that doesn’t work. Alternatives to donating furniture are selling it through an online marketplace like Facebook Market or eBay, a garage sale, or a mobile app like Mercari. you can also consign it or try to recycle it.
what you need to know about donating books
Most charities will accept book donations, but that doesn’t mean they’ll accept any book, on any condition. donations to libraries usually come with more restrictions, but some charities will also not accept outdated, torn, highlighted or moldy books. As with other types of donations, ask first if you’re unsure about anything related to donating books.
Ideally, the books should be in good condition to hold up when you pick them up and recent enough not to contain seriously outdated information (this applies to non-fiction more than anything). Some charities will not accept textbooks (too specialized and probably out of date), encyclopedias (they go out of date quickly), and periodicals. although the latter might appeal to some collectors, most should be recycled.
Instead of donating to charity, you can try giving your unwanted books to local hospitals or shelters, used bookstores for resale, nursing homes, local literacy programs, prison libraries, or those little free libraries in your community . You can also try setting up a book swap with your friends and family, or just be clever and create art like a collage, using pages from the books you no longer want to keep.
what you need to know about donating clothes
many of us have more clothes, shoes and accessories than we need or want. Regardless of how you end up with 37 pairs of jeans, tidying up once in a while can be good for your soul and your closet space, while also helping someone in need. if you need to clean out your closet for the move, even better. now is the perfect time to donate your clothes to charity.
The charities we listed in the article will be happy to take away your clothes, shoes, jewelry, scarves, belts, hats, bags and other accessories. They’ll sort through your donation, choose what they think will sell, and put it on store shelves. stained, ripped, smelly or damaged, the clothes probably won’t, so please be noticeable and try to get rid of it yourself.
In addition to the charities we’ve listed, your clothes can be used to Dress for Success, a charity that helps women in need find professional attire to enter the workforce. local homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, or community centers may also accept donations. You can also consign or sell your most expensive items for charity through eBay for Charities. another option is to donate to planet aid, which will try to resell your clothes to prevent them from ending up in a landfill.
quick tips for collecting donations
Donating items in advance of a move is a great way to lighten your load while benefiting your community. Before you toss all your unwanted items into a box and schedule a donation pickup or drop-off, follow these tips to make sure you’re donating items of value and choosing the right charity for your stuff.
- Know what’s worth donating. While it’s a hassle to have to throw away or recycle an item that someone else could use, all of the organizations listed above say that items should be in good condition. this does not mean they have to be new, but they must be clean, usable, and free from serious defects unless otherwise noted.
- for everything else, seek responsible disposal methods which may not be as convenient as a pickup, but it still keeps items out of dumpsters. for example, textile recycling bins can take unwearable clothes, shoes, and bedding and turn them into things like insulation and padding for car seats. and your local animal shelter will probably gladly accept old bedding and towels with a couple of stains or tears.
- Do some research before choosing your charity. All of the charities listed above do well with your donations, but they have different ways of making an impact. Instead of just going with the first option on the list, check an organization’s website to make sure its values and methods meet your requirements (and are available in your area).
- decide honestly: keep it or throw it away? how do you decide what to keep and what goes in the donation pile? Well, if you haven’t used it or worn it for a few years (it’s a year for some, two for others, and a very subjective and personal range beyond), or if it doesn’t “give you joy,” it’s time for it to go. For clothing, shoes, and accessories, consider if it fits you, it’s your style, it was a gift you’ll never use, or you have 20 of the same item. The same goes for other items: if it was a gift but it’s not your thing, or you’re keeping it for sentimental reasons, it’s time to say goodbye for someone else’s benefit.
- get your items ready. The charity doing your collection may have specific requests for your donation. Even if they don’t mention anything, you still need to do some prep work on your own. this includes cleaning any clothing, furniture, or household items you plan to donate and securely packing and/or bagging the items for transportation. just leave the furniture uncovered so they can inspect it.
- Schedule your donation pickup ahead of time. You may be able to score a last-minute pickup, but don’t count on that. Once you know your move date, start researching your options and schedule your pickup as soon as possible. Allow time between donation pick-up day and moving day, especially if you’re donating furniture. some organizations are stricter than others about what they will take, and you may need to find a workaround for large items you don’t want to take with you to your new home.
how to schedule the collection of your donation
- Look for a charity that offers free donation pickup and has a location near you.
- Contact the charity to make sure they still offer that service (some charities charities have suspended free collection of donations during the pandemic or due to worker or funding shortages).
- make sure the organization accepts the items you are donating (many list what they do and do not accept on their sites web).
- prepare your donation by following the “do’s” steps listed in the “donating dos and don’ts” section.
- schedule your pickup.
- be at home during the collection appointment.
leave your donation instead?
If you opt for a return, find out what options are available. sometimes you can drive to the charity shop for a quick delivery. other charities provide bins and boxes for contactless delivery and sometimes you have to go to an actual facility. Especially if you’re making a contactless delivery, be sure to match like items, label them, and don’t include anything you don’t think will sell, like damaged items. You should not donate anything that you cannot safely move or store in a moving container storage facility. that goes for any dangerous items, like explosives or flammables and corrosives. and, again, ask for a receipt. Even if you use the drive-thru option, a staff member should be able to provide you with a receipt.
doesn’t it feel good to do good? Donating through charities that collect is a great way to get rid of things, especially large items that are difficult to move on your own. so the next time you’re ready to edit your belongings, don’t throw them away. instead, schedule a charity collection and repurpose your unwanted items.
Did you finish donating before you moved? If so, it’s time to find the best moving company to handle your next move. Check out moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. good luck and happy moving!
frequently asked questions about donations
How do I schedule a donation pickup?
you can follow the steps in the section “how to schedule the collection of your donation”.
Which furniture donations are usually accepted?
Not all organizations accept furniture, but many do. if they do, they will typically accept sofas, chairs, tables, lamps, box springs, mattresses, office furniture, dressers, bookcases, entertainment centers, etc. some would accept your piano, but it is better to check.
what is not available for pickup?
varies by organization, as some will only pick up items smaller than one or two people can easily pick up and carry. therefore, some organizations will not collect large furniture or large appliances such as a refrigerator or washer/dryer. some will not accept televisions of any kind. most charities say no to tires, building materials, and unassembled items. and no donation organization will accept and collect materials that are hazardous, broken, damaged, or do not meet current safety standards. neither firearms, food or drinks.
What condition should my donation be in?
Gently used but in good enough condition for resale. If you are in doubt as to whether your donation is acceptable, just try to assess whether it is salable and whether you would buy it.
Are my donations tax deductible?
yes, they can be. save your donation receipts and follow irs rules on charitable contributions.
Who do my donations help?
It depends on the organization. If you want your donation to go to a specific cause, check out Charity Watch, an independent charity watchdog that lists the vetted and highest-rated charities by cause.
Where can I donate clothes besides goodwill?
Most charities will accept clothing as long as the items are used with care and are clean. the charities listed in this article accept clothing donations. and here are some additional options for donating clothes.
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