Whether you’re downsizing to a small condo or upgrading to your dream home, you may discover that moving your current furniture to a new environment just doesn’t work. If you want to skip the hassle of selling your items or hiring a moving company to transport them, you can have a charity pick up your old furniture.
Donating unwanted furniture is a charitable act, especially given rising costs and recession worries among Americans. Charitable furniture donations can also provide indirect assistance to organizations that help people in need. Donating your furniture is more sustainable than simply throwing it away, as it helps keep furniture out of landfills. Below, we’ve gathered a list of several charities that offer free furniture pickup.
Key Takeaways
- Major charities that offer free furniture pickup services nationwide include Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity.
- Donating your unwanted furniture can help lower your tax bill. You can claim $10–$1,000 or more in tax deductions for many common pieces of furniture, according to The Salvation Army.
- Charities will only accept furniture that’s in good used condition Junk removal services offer a reliable option for disposing of furniture that’s damaged, worn out, or missing pieces.
National Charities That Offer Free Furniture Donation Pickup
A charity thrift store can often visit your home to pick up items, saving you the hassle of dropping them off. Learn which stores accept furniture donations, what they’ll accept, and how to arrange pickup below.
Goodwill
Goodwill is one of the biggest thrift store chains in the United States. Its mission is to provide jobs to individuals who would otherwise struggle to find work. Most Goodwill stores offer free donation pickup services, especially for larger items.
Although it’s a national chain, each Goodwill store operates independently and has its own unique policies. Some Goodwill stores may not accept furniture donations or have strict rules about what furniture you can donate, so it’s best to contact your local store to ask about its policies.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a religious organization that provides various resources for individuals, including disaster relief, temporary housing, social work, advocacy, and more.
The Salvation Army often accepts large appliances and furniture. You can drop off furniture at a Salvation Army location or schedule a pickup at your home. Call ahead to confirm that your location will take your items before dropping them off, as stores may have their own policies.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that builds affordable homes for families who need assistance. It also runs Habitat ReStore, a thrift store that sells secondhand furniture, appliances, home goods, and more. Proceeds go toward the main organization.
When you donate furniture to Habitat for Humanity, the organization will sell it at one of its Habitat ReStore locations. You can drop off items at a physical location or schedule a pickup. The organization accepts most items, including coffee tables, bookcases, sofas, tables, chairs, dressers, and bed frames. We recommend contacting your local Habitat ReStore to confirm if it provides pick-up services.
AMVETS (American Veterans)
AMVETS is a veteran organization providing direct support to former service members. For example, it helps veterans file claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and offers scholarships to veterans attending college.
Note that AMVETS only offers pickup services in select locations, including Maryland, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Delaware, certain cities in Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. AMVETS accepts a limited amount of furniture but will pick up flat-screen TVs, computers, and exercise equipment.
The Furniture Bank
The Furniture Bank is an organization that accepts furniture donations and distributes items to families in need. However, the Furniture Bank only accepts gently used items. This organization also charges a fee to pick up your furniture from your home.
The Furniture Bank is only available in select U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Each location may have its own rules regarding what it will pick up and how far it will travel to collect items. Call your local Furniture Bank location for details.
The Arc
The Arc is an organization that supports adults and children with developmental disabilities by offering programs and services and advocating on their behalf. The organization provides a pickup service to collect donated clothing and household items. The organization will often resell these items to other distributors.
Find your local Arc chapter and ask if it will accept your items before scheduling a pickup. Donation restrictions vary from chapter to chapter, and some don’t list donation rules online.
GreenDrop
GreenDrop is an organization that collects items to sell at thrift stores within its partner network. GreenDrop won’t accept items that weigh more than 50 pounds, but you can schedule a pickup if you’re trying to dispose of any of the accepted items listed on its website. If you don’t plan on being home for the exchange, you can leave your donations outside, and a GreenDrop driver will collect them.
GreenDrop is available in the following U.S. states, as well as Ontario, Canada:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
Regional or Local Charities That Offer Free Furniture Pick-Up
Cities across the United States, from New York City to San Diego, have regional store locations and local charities that service their communities. We compiled the table below to help you find charities that will pick up your furniture for free in the eight most populous cities in the United States.
New York City
- Habitat for Humanity: Call 332-777-5060 or go online to schedule a pickup.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Call 203-493-4021 for free furniture removal and pickup.
Los Angeles
- Habitat for Humanity: Call 424-246-3637 or go online to schedule a pickup in Greater Los Angeles.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Call 800-974-3571 for free furniture removal and pickup.
Chicago
- Chicago Furniture Bank: Go online or call 321-752-0211 to schedule free furniture pickup in Chicago.
- Habitat for Humanity: Schedule a pickup online or call 312-563-0296.
Houston
- Helping Hands Charity: Schedule free furniture pickup online or call 281-258-5247.
- Salvation Army: Go online and enter your Houston area ZIP code to schedule a pickup time. You can also call 1-800-728-7825.
Phoenix
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Call 602-254-3338 for free standard pickup.
- Habitat for Humanity: Call 623-551-6000 to schedule a pickup, or go online.
Philadelphia
- Salvation Army: Enter your ZIP code online to schedule pickup for your furniture in Philadelphia.
- Habitat for Humanity: Complete the online form to schedule a free donation pickup.
San Antonio
- Salvation Army: Complete the online form or call 1-800-728-7825 to schedule a pickup time.
- Arms of Hope: Go online or call 877-259-3744 to schedule a free furniture donation pickup.
San Diego
- Father Joe’s Village: Call 619-446-2100 to schedule a free donation pickup in San Diego.
- Veterans Thrift Store: Go online or call 619-337-9244 to schedule a free donation pickup.
Tax Advantages of Donating Unwanted Items
Donating furniture can simplify the decluttering or moving process and save you money come tax time. When you donate items considered in “good used condition or better,” you can claim a tax deduction, per federal law.
Carefully itemize your donations to deduct the value of the items from your taxes. As long as they’re in good condition, donated items eligible for deduction include the following:
- Appliances
- Bikes
- Cars and automobiles
- Children’s clothes
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Household goods
- Men’s and women’s clothing
Take careful note of what you donate and its donation value. According to the Salvation Army’s donation valuation guide, you can deduct anywhere from $1 per item up to several hundred dollars. For example, the Salvation Army estimates that a dining room set is worth between $156 and $934.
You can use the Salvation Army’s valuation guide as a starting point when determining how much you can deduct on your taxes based on your charitable donation. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers guidance on deducting charitable contributions. For the most accurate itemization of your donations, consult your tax advisor.
Tips for Donating Furniture
Charities and thrift stores won’t take all furniture, so research accepted donations in advance to avoid headaches. The following tips can help make your furniture donation a success:
- Call the thrift store before scheduling a pickup to confirm they will accept the item. Otherwise, you may waste time moving furniture to the curb that won’t get picked up.
- Coordinate with your neighbors to see if someone is interested in the item you’re donating. Donating your item to someone directly can save the pickup crew a trip.
- If you can’t schedule a pickup, look up drop-off times. Sometimes the easiest way to donate old furniture is to drop it off yourself.
- Many thrift stores have limited pickup windows, so it’s best to schedule as soon as possible. You may need to drop off the item if it’s too late in the day.
- Mention any scratches, nicks, stains, or other defects and confirm the thrift store will accept your item. Some thrift stores are strict about the condition and may refuse to pick up items with noticeable imperfections.
Furniture Disposal
Most charities will only accept gently used furniture. If your furniture isn’t in good condition, you may need to find another way to dispose of it. You can contact your regular garbage service to schedule an extra pickup. Note that this may incur an additional cost or limit the size and quantity of items you can dispose of. You can also enlist the services of a junk removal company to remove your unwanted furniture.
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
1-800-GOT-JUNK specializes in making your used furniture disappear and will take almost any item. You can schedule a pickup online, and the company may provide service on the same day. 1-800-GOT-Junk has locations in most U.S. states, as well as Canada and Australia.
LoadUp
LoadUp will pick up and dispose of furniture, cardboard, exercise equipment, and more. You can book a pickup online, and LoadUp guarantees transparent pricing. The company has served more than 360,000 customers across the U.S., according to its website.
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
Most people know College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving as a moving company, but it also offers junk and furniture removal services. The company has over 200 locations across the U.S. and provides free online estimates.
Expert Tips and Insights
We asked three experts about the impact of furniture donations on low-income households and other ways to support people living in poverty. Read their insights and tips below.
What are some challenges or barriers that people living in poverty commonly face?
There are two related yet different concepts that reflect challenges people living in poverty generally face: lack of opportunities and lack of access. First, it is important to understand that all communities have opportunities, with some having more and some having less. However, competition for current and future opportunities in a given community is unfavorable for individuals and families who experience poverty. Second, those who manage to find opportunities usually face an “access” challenge. These people lack access to key community resources such as healthcare, education, childcare, transportation, and social welfare services, to name a few. Consequently, they may be forced to miss medical and benefits recertification appointments, show up late for work, or complete an educational program over a longer timeframe.
How can getting low-cost furniture and household items help families maintain home stability and improve their well-being?
Furniture and household items constitute in-kind income. Families receiving in-kind donations are financially better off because, counterfactually, these recipients would have either kept their homes furniture-less or freed up money from an already thin budget to buy beds, sofas, couches, tables, chairs, and other necessities. The in-kind income equivalence could be geared toward meeting other household needs or put aside in savings. This is where the connection with household stability and well-being becomes obvious.
What are some other ways to help low-income households in need of home furnishing?
We certainly can advocate with and on behalf of low-income individuals and families by bringing their cause to the forefront of the fundraising process. We can raise awareness of the gap between demand and supply regarding home furnishing and convince donors of the potential impact of their contributions on families and society.
Rigaud Joseph, Ph.D., was born and raised on the beautiful island of Haiti before moving to the United States in 2007 for family reasons. A graduate of the Haiti State University system, Joseph earned an associate degree in pre-nursing from Broward College in 2009, a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work from Florida Atlantic University in 2011 and 2012, respectively, and a Ph.D. in social welfare from Florida International University in 2017. Joseph has a background working with culturally and linguistically diverse groups of people, including underprivileged children, adolescents, and families. Between 2012 and 2014, he served as a functional family therapist at two social services agencies in South Florida: The Starting Place and Family Central. Joseph currently works as an associate professor of social work at California State University San Bernardino College, where he coordinates, among other functions, the online master of social work program. Joseph’s areas of interest include poverty and social welfare policies, marginalized populations, theory development and analysis, andragogy, and webagogy. Joseph has published solo and with colleagues more than 30 peer-reviewed articles. Watching soccer games and playing guitar constitute his favorite hobbies.
Danielle Groton, Ph.D.
What are some challenges or barriers that people living in poverty commonly face?
There are several challenges to obtaining household items when living in poverty. For one example, transportation poses a barrier for individuals who do not have access to their own car and need to bring larger household items to their residence (e.g., cookware, bedding, etc.). I’ve worked with many clients who had sufficient income to cover their monthly rent and utilities for an unfurnished apartment but did not have extra income to cover one-time expenses such as furniture, shower curtains and towels, and kitchen items. This often leaves folks needing to make decisions about which items are most important and/or continuing to rely on community resources (e.g., meal sites) to have their basic needs met despite having permanent housing.
How can getting low-cost furniture and household items help families maintain home stability and improve their well-being?
When families have the ability to take care of their basic needs at home and feel comfortable within their home, there can be an increased sense of self-efficacy and confidence. Having these supplies at home can also help the family save money long-term. For example, a parent who does not have cookware will not easily have the means to make food at home, and beyond aggregate feeding programs may rely on highly processed or fast food as the primary means of feeding their family. Those types of meals are often less nourishing and more costly than preparing meals at home, and family members may be prone to more health concerns (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) from the meals and spend more money over time on the food itself. Additionally, a lack of cookware and groceries may limit the parent’s ability to teach their children how to prepare meals for themselves. As another example, a household without bedding may not get quality rest, and sleep health is critically important to one’s immune system, mental health, and cognitive development.
What are some other ways to help low-income households in need of home furnishing?
I always encourage people who have gently used household items they no longer need to donate them instead of throwing them away—many organizations will even come pick up the items for you. You can also check the “wish lists” for housing programs and emergency service centers, as they will know the items most needed by their clients when they move into permanent housing. If you do not have items for in-kind donations, some organizations have Amazon registries for their clients or will accept gift card donations. You can also make a difference by volunteering to help with delivery of household items and letting people in your social circle know about these types of opportunities. If an organization is always in need of a specific item (e.g., linens), you could organize a donation drive for that specific item too.
Danielle Groton earned her Ph.D. in social work and MSW and MPA from Florida State University. While residing in Tallahassee, Groton worked on program evaluations for nonprofits and assisted with coordination and training for the biennial Homeless Point in Time count for the Big Bend region. She has worked in homeless services in various capacities, from case management and event coordination to data management and administration in emergency and transitional housing. Dr. Groton’s area of expertise is on homelessness and housing, particularly related to women experiencing homelessness. Her secondary area of research focuses on housing placement for youth survivors of trafficking.
What are some challenges or barriers that people living in poverty commonly face?
People living in poverty face numerous challenges and barriers when it comes to furnishing a home. Often, their financial limitations mean that they must focus on life’s basic necessities and don’t have extra funds to buy household furnishings. And since transportation can be an issue for those living in poverty, the cost to move or ship household items, especially larger furniture, can be prohibitive. There are even greater obstacles for people transitioning from homelessness, as they’ve probably had to abandon most—if not all—of their possessions. This means when they find a home, they must furnish it from scratch.
How can getting low-cost furniture and household items help families maintain home stability and improve their well-being?
Having a secure place to call home is critical to a family’s well-being and long-term success. Access to affordable household furnishings allows a family to build a comfortable and functional living space, fostering a sense of security and belonging. A family’s quality of life is enhanced by a home where everyone can be together, where kids can play, do schoolwork, and feel safe. And the dignity of living in your own home has a positive impact on mental health and self-esteem, which provides families the stability to become successful in other areas of life.
What are some other ways to help low-income households in need of home furnishing?
Habitat ReStores, run by local Habitat for Humanity organizations, are a great resource for low-cost furnishings. They accept donations of furniture and household items and sell them at a fraction of the retail price. Goodwill and Salvation Army stores are another source for inexpensive housewares. There are also social media groups whose members offer secondhand household items for free. Most communities have a network of resources to help those in need, and you can always call 211 to learn about the support system in your area.
Mike Kerkorian serves as the chief development officer for the Family Promise national office. He leads the resource development and marketing team focused on the organization’s national revenue and brand strategies. Prior to joining Family Promise, he spent more than ten years working at United Way, where he held several fundraising roles, including managing the corporate partnerships team at their global office.
Our Conclusion
Donating furniture to charity is typically faster and easier than trying to sell it. Unless you own a valuable antique, you may be better off donating to a worthy organization. Plus, you can feel good knowing your unwanted items may greatly help a family in need.
We recommend contacting your local thrift store to confirm if they will pick up your used furniture. If there are no available options near you, consider hiring a junk removal company.
