Where can you donate furniture?

Where to donate furniture

Recycling or disposing of your old furniture is an option, but if it’s in relatively good condition, you may consider donating it to help others. Several charitable organizations accept furniture donations (and may also pick them up for you, saving you the hassle of loading and moving).

Also, donations to 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible, which may help you save a little money when you file your taxes (if you itemize).

When you donate your furniture, your items may be sold in local thrift stores or used in the homes of underprivileged families in your area. Some popular charities that accept furniture donations:

• Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit that provides affordable housing for families. It funds its mission through donations and the proceeds it receives from its thrift store, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. You can donate household items, like furniture and appliances, which may be resold at one of Habitat’s stores. The organization offers free donation pickup — you can schedule online through its website.
• Goodwill provides various job training and career counseling programs. Goodwill Industries is a 501(c)(3) organization that sells donated items, like gently used clothes and furniture, in more than 3,000 thrift stores nationwide. While Goodwill does not offer free donation pickup, it partners with ReSupply, a company that will come get your items for a fee.
• Donation Town provides donation pickups for two charitable organizations: the Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans’ Voice of America. Pickup is free and you can schedule online through the Donation Town website. The organization lists accepted items, including small home furnishings like headboards and nightstands, online.
• The Arc advocates for the human rights of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The organization operates through a network of local chapters, so you’ll need to check with your chapter for accepted donations.
• AMVETS provides various programs and assistance for veterans, their families and survivors. Pickup is limited and only available in some states, so check the organization’s website for more details. Donated items are sold in thrift stores.
• Pickup Please is a donation pickup program available in 15 states. The organization provides free donation pickup, which helps support four different charities: Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans’ Voice of America, Special Olympics Texas and Teen Challenge of Southern California.
• The Salvation Army runs several different programs, including disaster recovery and social and prison services. Donation pickup is limited, but you can check the Salvation Army’s website to see if it's available. You may be able to drop off furniture donations at one of its donation centers or thrift stores.
• World Relief is a humanitarian organization that partners with churches and communities to help refugees and immigrants establish themselves in the U.S. It funds language classes, transportation assistance and employment services. It also helps families secure housing. Some World Relief locations accept furniture in good condition for families to use in these new housing setups.
• GreenDrop, a for-profit company, picks up donations on behalf of several nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross and Big Brothers Big Sisters. The company then purchases the goods from the nonprofit and resells them in area thrift stores. Donations are considered tax-deductible. GreenDrop only accepts small furniture that weighs 50 pounds or less, so check the website for donation details.
• Furniture Bank Network provides a directory of all participating furniture banks in your area. Donating to a furniture bank gives others in need the opportunity to furnish their homes at little to no cost. Many furniture banks offer free donation pickup.
• Rescue Missions are operated locally, so there may be one near you. It assists those in recovery programs by providing life skills classes, job training and opportunities to earn their GED. Local Rescue Missions may also manage a thrift store, where the proceeds from sales are funneled back into the organization. Search for your local Rescue Mission to schedule a donation pickup, if available.
• Foster Youth of America provides support for youth as they transition from foster care into adulthood. You can donate furniture that could be used in housing for these young adults as they set out on their own.

Other local charitable organizations

There may be several other local organizations in your area that could use your furniture donations. For example, you may find a nonprofit that serves underprivileged kids and their families by providing food, clothing and/or furniture free of charge.

Tips on donating furniture

The process of donating your furniture requires some thoughtful planning and consideration. Keep in mind the following tips to ensure a smooth experience.

Be mindful of the furniture’s condition

Not all places will take furniture in any condition, so check with the charity for donation guidelines. Organizations that resell furniture in thrift stores may be a bit pickier about the items’ condition than those that give items away for free. Either way, give the upholstery a good clean and dust any surfaces. If you own a pet, you must vacuum up lingering pet hair.

Ask for a receipt

If you plan to itemize your deductions, request a tax deduction receipt and keep it for filing your taxes. The charity will not be able to assign a dollar value to furniture donations, so ask your accountant for IRS guidelines. It may be a good idea to take a few pictures of your furniture from different angles so you have a record of its condition.

Consider dropping the donation off rather than scheduling a pickup

Charitable organizations may be short-staffed, so dropping the donation off yourself may be faster. Otherwise, you could wait weeks to schedule a pickup.

Find a charity that’s aligned with your values

There are many different charities to choose from, so consider donating your items to ones that support causes that are important to you and/or have impacted your life. Not only will donating help further the cause and fund the organization’s missions, but it should also make you feel good knowing you had a part in bettering the lives of those in your community.

Alternatives to donating furniture

Donating isn’t the only way to get rid of furniture you no longer want or need. Other alternatives:

• Selling: List items on online marketplaces at reasonable prices based on current condition and demand. Meet buyers in public during daylight with someone accompanying you.
• Consigning: Furniture consignment stores will sell your items for a percentage of the sale price, typically requiring good condition. Review store policies on pricing, time frames and unsold item handling.
• Storing: You can temporarily store furniture you may need again in the future, but factor in monthly storage costs. Avoid long-term storage of unwanted pieces.
• Upcycling: Refinish, repaint or repurpose old furniture into new functional pieces through DIY projects.
• Dispose: For severely worn items, try bulk item pickup services, find someone willing to take it curbside or hire a junk hauling company.

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