Whether for their new home or commercial building, nearly 50% of movers purchase new furniture when they relocate. This means downsizing to make room for all that new decor. While you may not want to keep your old furniture around, tossing out perfectly functional household goods would be a waste. So instead, why not donate them to a charity?

Donating heavy or numerous pieces of furniture may sound overwhelming, but it’s easier than you think. To make donating even easier, we curated a list of eight charities that’ll happily take your donated household goods off your hands for free — no need to rent a moving truck!

The Salvation Army

Founded in 1865, The Salvation Army is one of the most well-known charity organizations. They’re wholly connected to the Christian Church and provide services for many high-risk needs, including poverty, hunger, homelessness, and addiction. Another way The Salvation Army supports the community is through donation pickups.

Depending on your ZIP code, online scheduling may be available. If this isn’t an option for your location, you can always visit their website, where they have a local phone number you can use to schedule a furniture donation pickup.

How your donation helps: The Salvation Army reallocates the proceeds from selling your donated items in their thrift stores to food pantries, rehabilitation centers, homeless shelters, and more. Items The Salvation Army accepts:

  • Furniture (excluding particle board, metal desks, TV armories, and baby items)
  • Appliances
  • Kitchenware (plates, utensils, etc.)
  • Household goods (lamps, coffeemaker, etc.)
  • Clothing

How to schedule a pickup: To see if online scheduling is available in your area, visit here and put in your ZIP code. Based on your location, you’ll either be able to schedule a pickup or be given a number to call if online scheduling isn’t available.

AMVETS

With over 250,000 members serving more than 20 million veterans, AMVETS offers donation pickups nationwide. Among their donation pickup services, AMVETS provides employment and training, healthcare funding, and other benefits for American veterans. How your donation helps: Like The Salvation Army, your contributions are sold in thrift stores, and the proceeds are allocated toward supporting Veteran Programs. Items that AMVETS accepts:

  • Bedding
  • Exercise equipment
  • Clothing
  • Household appliances
  • Kitchenware
  • Lamps
  • Toys
  • Seasonal items

How to schedule a pickup: On their website, you can schedule using an email or a phone number for maximum convenience.

The Furniture Bank Network

The Furniture Bank Network is a registered charity network that works together to provide free furniture for those in need. They help organize pickups and donations, making it easier than ever to donate your unwanted furniture and other goods.

The mission of the Furniture Bank Network is to help those in need, including those who have experienced unemployment, domestic violence, natural disasters, or homelessness.

How your donation helps: Individuals and families affected by homelessness, natural disasters, crime, and/or are experiencing homelessness and poverty. Items that Furniture Bank accepts:

  • Lightly used furniture
  • Kitchenware
  • Appliances

How to schedule a pickup: Visit their website to find a local furniture bank near you, where you can be redirected to the website of that furniture bank and find out how to schedule a pickup from that location.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that provides families in need with safe and affordable homes. And in addition to operating in all 50 states and 70 other countries, they also participate in free furniture donation pick-up! How your donation helps: All furniture donations are sold at ReStores, their resale locations, and proceeds from these sales go toward providing housing and home repair services. Items that Humanity accepts:

  • Furniture
  • Appliances
  • Building materials (unused lumber, flooring, doors, etc.)
  • Household goods

How to schedule a pickup: You can find a Habitat ReStore near you by entering your ZIP code on their website.

Goodwill

Goodwill is mainly known for their store locations that sell donated items for low prices, but that’s not all they do! They also provide job training and employment services for individuals within their local communities. With over 156 community organizations around the U.S., Canada, and over 10 other countries, they helped provide over 1 million people with skill-building services and assisted them in finding employment. How your donation helps: The sales from your donations help raise money toward services, including employment training and job placement services for individuals within the local community. Items that Goodwill accepts:

  • Glassware
  • Electronics
  • Dishes
  • Small and large furniture
  • Clothing
  • Automobiles
  • Lawnmowers
  • And more!

How to schedule a pickup: Get in touch with your local Goodwill to find out if pickup services are available in your area.

PickUpMyDonation

PickUpMyDonation started in 2012 and has since helped donate over $89 million to nonprofit organizations that help individuals in need. Donating large or abundant items can make it difficult for people to give as much as possible, so PickUpMyDonation’s mission is to make the donation process faster and easier for donors. How your donation helps: Your donation goes toward serving a wide range of local nonprofits and charities that offer services for people in need. Items that PickUpMyDonation accepts:

  • Large furniture and other materials, depending on your ZIP code

How to schedule a pickup: First, you’ll want to visit their website. Once there, plug in your ZIP code and select FREE Pick-up (Priority Pickup is also an option). Answer a few questions regarding the items you’d like to donate and provide your contact info with a few pickup dates. Finally, submit your request, and you’ll be contacted within a few days.

The Arc

With more than 600 state and local chapters across the U.S., The Arc is the largest national community-based organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They provide various services, including vocational services, person-centered and financial planning, and more! How your donation helps: Your donation goes toward helping provide services for children, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Items that The Arc accepts: *depending on location*

  • Furniture
  • Housewares
  • Electronics and appliances
  • Used and recreational vehicles
  • Toys and games
  • Books
  • Clothing

How to schedule a pickup: Schedule a pickup by contacting your local chapter. Cars and other vehicles can be donated using this online donation form, or you can call (877) 272-2270.

PickUp Please

PickUp Please, an extension of the Vietnam Veterans of America founded in 1978, helps provide services for men and women who served in the American military through donations. They are located in select states across America but have a much faster turnaround time than some other charitable organizations. Note that they cannot pick up large furniture items or appliances, so be sure that anything you donate is small and light enough for one person to lift and carry. How your donation helps: All American veterans, regardless of age group or war served. Items that PickUp Please accepts:

  • Clothing
  • Toys
  • Small household appliances
  • Bedding, linens & pillows
  • Rugs
  • Comforters
  • Small furnishings
  • Books
  • Exercise equipment
  • And more!

How to schedule a pickup: Enter your ZIP code on their website to schedule a free donation pickup in your area.

Donation Do's and Don’ts

It’s incredible that you want to donate some of your goods to charity, but one of the biggest misconceptions about donating is that it’s a free-for-all. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. To ensure that donations are both practical, in good condition, and can realistically be picked up and relocated, many charities lay down guidelines that donors need to abide by. However, some general ones are consistent across the board.

DO:

  • Thoroughly inspect items: Any furniture that isn’t structurally sound, clothes with excessive stains, or heavily used items can’t be accepted.
  • Schedule or call in advance to see what’s needed: This is to ensure your donations are as helpful as possible.
  • Test all electronic items before donating: Make sure any electronics are in working condition. If any are broken, it’s best to dispose of them rather than donate them.

DON’T:

  • Donate defected items: Similar to electronics, this can be toys, kitchenware, and other materials that, if defected, can’t be used.
  • Donate items that don’t adhere to charity guidelines: Not all charities accept every type of donation, so check in with your local charity to see what they can and can’t take.
  • Donate unusable items: These include underwear, swimwear, mattresses, and box springs (due to possible infestations).

If You Need Help Moving, Trust Black Tie Moving

There will always be a few things you’ll want to toss out when it comes to moving. However, instead of throwing out your old furniture and other household items, contact one of the charities above to donate them to help your local community easily. Contact a professional mover for a stress-free transition if you’re about to move locally or across the country and need assistance relocating to your new home or office building.