8 Ways to Donate Your Stuff to Help Those in Need

You’re on a mission.

You’ve searched your house from top to bottom, closet to garage, storage box to storage shed. You pulled out everything that you wouldn’t mind parting with so that you could make some extra money.

You’re motivated to declutter and simplify your finances… and your stuff.

You’ve had a successful garage sale.

And then you found other ways to sell your items that didn’t sell at the garage sale.

You’ve earned a lot of extra money that you can put toward your debt snowball or your next financial goal.

But inevitably, you still have some things left that haven’t sold.

If you’re ready to get rid of these items and you’re tired of trying to sell them, why not donate them to someone or some organization that could put them to good use?

There are numerous of families and charities who are looking for used clothing and household items, and your stuff could help someone in need.

Plus, you could get a small tax deduction, depending on how you donate your stuff.

Giving is an important component of a strong financial plan, and most people, including my family, could improve in this area.

Here are 8 ways to recycle your items:

1. Goodwill —

   Goodwill is a $4 billion nonprofit organization that accepts donations of new and gently used items at thousands of locations across the United States and Canada. The donated items are sold in retail stores and the online auction site. According to its website, the majority of the proceeds from sales (82% to be exact) “go directly into employment and training programs for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment!”

2. Value Village —
   

   Value Village is a “for-profit, global thrift retailer” that helps to create jobs and supports local communities with more than 330 locations and 20,000 employees in Canada, the U.S., and Australia. When you donate items to local nonprofits at Value Village stores, the retailer pays those nonprofit organizations for those items and sells the items. Any unsold items are recycled or sent to developing countries.

3. The Salvation Army —

   The Salvation Army is an international organization that offers a wide variety of services around the world. The U.S. chapter of the Salvation Army is a nonprofit organization that operates more than 7,500 centers across the nation. The work of these centers includes “food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts, and a wealth of children’s programs.” These projects are funded through kettle donations, corporate contributions, and the sale of goods donated to the Salvation Army Family Stores.

4. DonationTown.org —

   Donation Town is not a charity itself, but it is a website that helps you find a local charity that will pick up your donations for free nationwide. Just enter your zip code, choose your charity, and schedule your pick up.

5. Dress for Success —

   According to its website, “Dress for Success is a global not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.” Dress for Success accepts new and gently used business attire and accessories at their local drop off locations around the world.

6. The Freecycle Network —

   The Freecycle Network™ has more than 8 million members across the globe. “It’s a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns.” Find your community, post your items, and maybe get some free things you could use, too.

7. Local Facebook groups —

   I am a member of a few local Facebook groups for people interested in selling and giving items to others. I’ll bet that you could find at least one similar group in your local community by searching “sell,” or “free,” and add “group” and your location in the Facebook search bar.

8. eBay Giving Works —

   With eBay’s Giving Works program, you can sell your stuff AND donate a portion of the sale to a charity of your choice. Since the program began shortly after 9/11, eBay sellers have raised more than $500 million to date! To get started, just choose a charity to support, decide on a donation amount from 10-100% of the sale, and then list your item for sale.

I’ve shared 8 ways you can donate your stuff to help others in need, but there are countless more possibilities. Once you’ve made your donation, you’ll feel good knowing you’ve helped someone in need.

What About You?

Participate in the conversation. Where do you donate your stuff? What is your favorite organization to support? Share in the comments below.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”