The next time you update your living room Furniture or finally get around to cleaning out the garage, make sure you don’t simply throw away your old stuff. In 2017, Americans threw away 12.2 million tons of furniture, 80% of which ended up in landfills, according to the EPA.
But it’s not all bad! In 2021, Americans donated $484.85 billion to help the less fortunate, a 4% increase from the previous year. You don’t need a lot of cash to contribute—donating items such as furniture, housewares, clothing, and more can also make a big difference in people’s lives.
Even better, you can receive a tax write-off if you donate to a qualified Organization. And many charities offer free furniture Pickup. Below is a list of 10 organizations where you can donate furniture with free pick-up.
Where Are Furniture Donation Centers Near Me?
Not only is tossing your furniture in the trash wasteful, but it’s also a missed opportunity to help someone else in need. If you have furniture or other items in your home that you aren’t using and would like to donate, these organizations are currently offering pick-up services.
1. AMVETS
American Veterans, also known as AMVETS, is a volunteer-run organization that advocates for U.S. veterans and related causes. Its thrift stores sell quality used clothing, household goods, toys, and furniture at reasonable prices.
AMVETS is currently in need of many types of donations, including clothing (men’s, women’s, and children’s), small appliances, electronics, jewelry, kitchenware, TVs, computers, and more. The charity requests that donated items are less than five years old.
Donation pickups can be scheduled online if you live in one of the following states: Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Delaware, Texas, and Oklahoma. You can also schedule a pickup over the phone.
2. The Arc
The Arc is the largest national community-based organization that advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as autism and Down syndrome, as well as their families.
They accept many types of donations, including cash and tribute gifts. Many local chapters will also accept donated items such as clothing (though not all do). You may be able to schedule a pickup as well, depending on the location. To find and contact the chapter near you, search the organization’s directory. If you’d like to donate a vehicle, you can fill out the car donation form online.
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3. Donation Town
Donation Town isn’t a charity itself, but rather a service that picks up and delivers donations to charities all over the country that support a variety of causes. It accepts just about anything, including furniture, clothing, shoes, toys, vehicles, and more.
“Donating your furniture can go a long way toward helping others in need. However…be sure your furniture is fit for donation. Items should be in good shape and generally be something another family would want in their home.”
To schedule a free furniture donation pickup, enter your zip code in the online form, choose which local charity to pick up your items, then schedule the pickup.
4. Furniture Bank (Canada)
Furniture Bank is a charity based in Toronto that specializes in distributing gently used furniture and housewares to families in need. Technically, donation pickups do require a fee, starting at $160. However, these funds go toward helping the organization and its programs keep running, and they’re tax deductible. You can fill out an online form to request a pickup.
However, only certain items can be donated. In general, furniture must be free-standing, shorter than 6 feet, and in good, usable condition. It should not require assembly/disassembly. Furniture Bank is interested in receiving dining, living room, and bedroom furniture; electronics and small appliances; houseware; kitchen items; and decor.
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Some of the items that it does not accept include major appliances (such as fridges, dishwashers, washers and dryers, etc.), linens and clothing, patio furniture, bean bags, day beds, desks longer than 4 feet, and standard sofas longer than 7 feet. Before scheduling a pickup, contact Furniture Bank to verify that your item is accepted.
5. Goodwill
Goodwill Industries International Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides job training and career services for people who have barriers to their employment. It’s funded by a network of more than 3,000 independent, nonprofit retail thrift stores across the U.S.
Goodwill accepts many items, including clothing, furniture, housewares, and more—as long as they’re in new or gently used condition. Some of the items Goodwill can’t accept include furniture with animal hair, stains, or broken/missing pieces; cribs with dropdown sides; large appliances such as fridges, freezers, stoves, and washing/drying machines; air conditioners; bed pillows, mattresses, and box springs; auto parts, and more.
Most Goodwills will pick up furniture or other large items that are hard to transport. Not all locations provide pickups, though. You should contact your local Goodwill to find out whether or not pick-up service is available. To find your nearest Goodwill retail store, donation site, or outlet store, use the online locator.
6. GreenDrop
GreenDrop is a for-profit company and professional fundraiser that operates on the East Coast. It accepts donations on behalf of local nonprofits, including American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sister of Long Island Donation Center, Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, National Federation of the Blind, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Philadelphia.
If you have lightly used clothing, household items, or other goods to donate, GreenDrop allows you to schedule charity donation pick-ups for select locations. To request a pickup, enter a few personal details and submit the online form.
GreenDrop accepts donations of clothing, shoes, blankets, bedding, tools, collectibles, kitchenware, toys, small appliances, electronics, musical instruments, and sporting goods. Items shouldn’t weigh more than 50 pounds. For environmental reasons, GreenDrop can’t accept tube TVs or computer monitors.
7. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps build and improve homes for families that need them. It also runs home improvement stores, known as Habitat ReStores, which accept donations of new or gently used furniture, appliances, housewares, building materials, and more. These items are then sold and the proceeds go toward Habitat for Humanity programs.
Most Habitat Restores offer free pickups for furniture donations, as well as other bulky items such as building materials. Start by finding the location nearest to your zip code and contacting the store to let them know what items you have available to donate. They will then help you determine the best way to donate those items.
8. Out of the Closet Thrift Stores
Out of the Closet Thrift Store (OTC) helps raise funds and awareness for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Ninety-six cents out of every dollar in sales goes to HIV prevention and treatment services. There are dozens of locations throughout the U.S.
“In 2017, Americans threw away 12.2 million tons of furniture, 80% of which ended up in landfills, according to the EPA.”
The organization accepts many types of items, including furniture, clothing and shoes (teen and adult sizes only), kitchenware, appliances and electronics (less than three years old), home decor, tools, musical instruments, books, and more. Some of the items that can’t be accepted include mattresses, bedding, children’s shoes and toys, older electronics, vehicles, and more. It’s always a good idea to contact your local store to ensure your donated item will be accepted.
Out of the Closet allows scheduled pick-ups of large item donations. To make an appointment, fill out a brief online form.
9. Pick Up Please
Items donated to Pick Up Please generate the majority of the funding to support local, state, and national programs of the Vietnam Veterans of America. The organization operates in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Pick Up Please accepts donations of clothing, small furnishings, household items, toys, electronics, books, exercise equipment, and more. Items must be small and light enough for one person to pick up and carry. A few items aren’t accepted, such as large furniture and appliances, TVs, food, or cash or checks.
Pickups can be scheduled online, with service often available within 24 hours.
10. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant church and an international charitable organization with a worldwide membership of over 1.7 million. Proceeds from items sold at its thrift stores are used to fund its Adult Rehabilitation Centers for those struggling with drugs and alcohol.
Commonly donated items include clothing, furniture, appliances, household goods, and automobiles. To schedule a pickup, input your zip code into the directory and find a participating location near you. You can also call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).
What To Know Before Donating Furniture
Donating your furniture can go a long way toward helping others in need. However, it’s important to be sure your furniture is fit for donation. Items should be in good shape and generally be something another family would want in their home. It’s also important to note that not every charity accepts furniture, and those that do have specific rules around what is and isn’t accepted.
Dos and don’ts of donating furniture
DO:
- Familiarize yourself with what the donation center does and does not accept
- Ask yourself whether you’d buy the item you’re donating
- Get a receipt for your tax return
DON’T:
- Donate furniture that is in poor condition
- Donate an item that is prohibited by the organization
- Misrepresent the item that you plan to donate
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How to schedule donation pickups
When you’re ready to schedule a donation pickup, follow these steps:
- Locate the local charity of your choosing
- Contact them to verify they do pickups in your area and that your item is acceptable
- Find their online scheduling form or other forms of contact for pickup scheduling
- Submit your personal details and choose a service date
- Prepare your item to be picked up as indicated by the organization
- Have it ready on your pickup date
I’m in need. How do I find free furniture near me?
There are many organizations that provide free furniture to individuals and families in need.
For instance, the Salvation Army provides free furniture to those who receive a voucher from a referring agency. The Crisis Assistance Ministry also offers a free furniture bank to those in need. If you have gone through a life-altering experience, the Ashley Furniture “Hope to Dream Program” may be able to provide you with free furniture as well.
These and similar organizations have online directories that allow you to search by zip code and find locations in your area. You are also free to contact any of the organizations listed above that fit your situation and ask how someone receives the donated items. They’ll likely tell you, or direct you to somewhere you can get more information.
FAQs
Q: Who takes used furniture for free?
Many charitable organizations will pick up your furniture donations for free. Habitat for Humanity specializes in picking up large and bulky items, including furniture and building supplies.
Q: Are furniture donations tax deductible?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows taxpayers to deduct the fair market value of furniture that was donated to a qualifying charity. To take this deduction, you must itemize your taxes.
Q: Do charities accept worn furniture donations?
Most charities require furniture donations to be in new or gently used condition. Items that are broken, stained, or otherwise in fair or poor condition are generally not accepted.
Q: What furniture is not available for pickup?
Each charity has its own rules regarding what types of furniture are allowed to be donated/picked up. It’s always a good idea to contact the organization ahead of time and find out their rules for donating furniture.
Q: Who will pick up my piano for free?
There are several charities that specialize in providing musical instruments to educators and students. Organizations that will pick up pianos and other large instruments for free include The Beethoven Foundation, PianosforEducation.org, and The Music Guild.
Q: Who will pick up my mattress for free?
Due to health and safety reasons, most charities will not accept mattress donations. You will most likely need to hire a junk removal service or schedule a bulk pickup from your local sanitation service, which will usually come with a fee.
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