Are you downsizing, moving or doing a major decor change in your home but don’t know what to do with your old furniture? Well, you’re in luck because many local nonprofit organizations make moving easy by offering free furniture donation pick up.
Donating furniture to your favorite charities is a chance to get rid of extra furniture and household items for free while giving back to your community. Here is how to get started in the process.
Where to donate furniture
When looking for furniture donation pickup, there can be so many options it’s hard to know where to start. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered with our detailed list summarizing nonprofit organizations, who your donation will help, items they accept and how to schedule your pickup.
- Salvation Army
- Goodwill
- Habitat for Humanity
- GreenDrop
- The Arc
- AMVETS
- Donation Town
- Furniture Banks
- Vietnam Veterans of America
- Out of the Closet thrift stores
- PickUpMyDonation.com
The best part is that every organization in our guide is completely free of charge for their furniture removal services and your donations go to a great cause.
1. Salvation Army
When people start thinking about donating furniture, The Salvation Army is usually one of the first places to come to mind. The Salvation Army is an international organization that operates in over 7,000 U.S. towns and cities and assists 23 million Americans annually.
Their services help provide disaster aid, support the LGBTQ+ community, fight food insecurity, combat addiction, assist those living in poverty and more. With the number of people Salvation Army helps each year, you can feel confident that you are doing good by donating to this organization.
- Who your donation helps: Your items are either brought directly to those in need or sold at one of their Salvation Army stores. The proceeds from their stores are used to fund their Adult Rehabilitation Centers that provide housing, food, counseling, community and employment for individuals suffering from drug and alcohol dependency.
- Items they accept: The Salvation Army will accept furniture, vehicles, clothing, household items, electronics, mattresses, books, exercise equipment and more.
- How to schedule a pick-up: You can schedule an appointment for furniture pickup at The Salvation Army website or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK. Salvation Army pick-up hours can vary depending on your location, but they are typically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They make the transition even easier by allowing you to leave items outside your home for them to pick up without you even needing to be home.
2. Goodwill
Goodwill is an organization that supports communities through job training and employment services. They also provide support services, language training, education assistance, access to transportation and child care to help people in their communities achieve success.
In 2020, Goodwill served nearly 22 million individuals worldwide and provided career support to 126,000 people. Items brought to one of Goodwill’s stores are sold at a discounted price and the money raised goes to their various programs and initiatives.
- Who your donation helps: Donation funds go to their job training or community-based programs. Some of their community-based programs include classes for people with disabilities, senior resources and helping convicts reclaim their lives after prison.
- Items they accept: Goodwill accepts furniture, toys, electronics, clothing, media items, electronics, vehicles, exercise equipment, dishware and tools. Something to note is that Goodwill will accept boats, cars, campers and RVs even if they aren’t in working condition.
- How to schedule a pick-up: Goodwill stores provide a donation center to give easy drop-off access for donations you’re able to bring in yourself. Most stores also offer a free pick-up service for larger furniture items, making it perfect for those who are downsizing. You can schedule your free Goodwill pickup online on their website locator, but keep in mind that store hours will vary based on their location.
3. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit that provides safe and affordable housing to families in need. Their initiative also assists older adults to improve their homes, puts efforts towards neighborhood revitalization projects, provides shelter during natural disasters and teaches classes focused on financial education. This organization has been in operation since 1976 and works in all 50 U.S. states as well as 70 countries.
- Who your donation helps: Habitat for Humanity sells donated furniture, building supplies and appliances at their resale store called ReStores. Proceeds from sales go to home restoring and building projects for families in need of affordable housing.
- Items they accept: Habitat for Humanity will accept furniture, building materials, appliances, vehicles and farm equipment.
- How to schedule a pick-up: To schedule a free furniture donation pick up with Habitat for Humanity, visit their website and enter your ZIP code to see which stores are near you. Next, you can contact your closest store directly to schedule your appointment.
4. Green Drop
GreenDrop is a program on the East Coast that raises funds for popular charities by picking up used furniture, clothes and appliances to sell at thrift stores. Their proceeds go back to charities that help those in need. Some of the charities they support include the American Red Cross, Military Order of the Purple Heart and the National Federation of the Blind.
- Who your donation helps: In 2018, GreenDrop raised $3.1 million for the charitable organizations listed above.
- Items they accept: GreenDrop accepts various items, including furniture under 50 pounds, clothing, household items, electronics, tools and toys.
- How to schedule a pick-up: Start by packing up all of your belongings in plastic boxes or bins. Next, decide if you want to make an in-person donation or if you can schedule a furniture pick-up online. After they receive a donation, they’ll provide you with a tax receipt.
5. The Arc
The Arc is the largest organization devoted to helping individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It provides a wide variety of services, supports and advocacy for people with disabilities and their families. The organization has over 700 chapters and one of their key sources of fundraising comes from their thrift stores, which they stock with donated goods.
- Who your donation helps: Their services vary based on each chapter and the unique needs of their community. Once your donation sells, it goes towards public policy advocacy, vocational programs, residential assistance, education services, financial planning and recreational activities for people with disabilities.
- Items they accept: The Arc accepts furniture, clothing, electronics, toys, vehicles, books, decorations, kitchen items and more, depending on the chapter.
- How to schedule a pick-up: You can also schedule via phone by calling The Arc at 1-800-283-2721. Another option is to head to their website to find your local chapter and schedule your pick-up.
6. AMVETS
AMVETS is an organization that represents the interests of 20 million veterans across the United States. This group helps veterans obtain their entitled benefits. They also work to improve the quality of life for veterans, their families and the communities where they live through leadership, advocacy and services.
- Who your donation helps: AMVETS supports U.S. veterans, those who have been honorably discharged and active duty servicemen and women. They will sell your furniture in one of their thrift stores to raise money for their cause.
- Items they accept: AMVETS accepts small furniture, clothing, toys, bedding, games, bikes, electronics, lamps, curtains, exercise equipment and kitchenware. AMVET requires donations to be 5-years old or less but is also open to accepting other items that are not on their list.
- How to schedule a pick-up: Send an email through the AMVET site or call to schedule a furniture donation pick-up between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It’s important to check with this organization ahead of time to see if their services are available near you. AMVETS has branches across the United States, but only has free furniture pick up available in certain states.
7. Donation Town
This site is perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed trying to find charities that provide furniture pickup in their community. Donation Town works with local charities all over the country to help put individuals in touch with nonprofits that will provide this service for free. Simply enter your ZIP code and they’ll give you a list of charities to choose from.
- Who your donation helps: Your donation will help the charity of your choice. They currently have over 400 charities of all sizes in their directory and are adding more all the time.
- Items they accept: Items they accept depend on each charity’s guidelines.
- How to schedule a pick-up: Visit Donation Town’s website to plan your pick-up with your selected charity.
8. Furniture Banks
If you donate your items to Furniture Banks, then you’ll be playing an important part in helping vulnerable families get back on their feet. The furniture donation pick up organization encourages people to donate gently used furniture and transfer the items to those struggling financially to furnish their own homes. Furniture Banks operates in 36 states, so check their website to see if they are in your area.
- Who your donation helps: The families served by this organization include the previously homeless, unemployed, victims of crime, battered women and children in retreat, immigrants, individuals with disabilities and victims of natural disasters.
- Items they accept: Furniture Banks accepts good condition furniture of all sizes. They also provide a towing service to pick up cars and recreational vehicles.
- How to schedule a pick-up: To schedule a pick-up with this organization simply schedule an appointment on the Furniture Banks website.
9. Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
The Vietnam Veterans of America are working to change negative beliefs towards Vietnam veterans and provides individual assistance in a variety of ways. This includes creating outreach programs for veterans experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, incarceration and more. The VVA furniture removal program operates through a program called Pickup Please.
- Who your donation helps: The Vietnam Veterans of America promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans and work to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.
- Items they accept: The Pickup Please program accepts small furniture items, sports equipment, toys, kitchenware, electronics and lightly used household goods. Pick Up Please says that they will pick up “almost anything” in good condition, but the piece of furniture must be light enough for one person to carry.
- How to schedule a pick-up: VVA operates in most states and they make it super easy to schedule a donation pickup online. You can also get to VVA by way of their Pick Up Please site.
10. Out of the Closet thrift stores
The Out of the Closet thrift stores chain is owned and operated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). This organization provides medical, preventive and educational resources for patients. AHF is the nation’s largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare, research, prevention and education provider. The proceeds from Out of the Closet thrift stores directly benefit the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
- Who your donation helps: Donations and financial contributions to this organization fund AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s HIV/AIDS programs, free HIV testing and housing programs.
- Items they accept: Out of the Closet Thrift Stores accept furniture, kitchenware, electronics, musical instruments, tools, books, vehicles, artwork and home decor.
- How to schedule a pick-up: You can schedule your pickup by filling out your address and items in a form on their website. Something to note is that you must have at least two furniture items for them to complete a free pick-up. You can also deliver any pieces of furniture to their local stores.
11. PickUpMyDonation.com
PickUpMyDonation.com is an organization that works with independent non-profit thrift stores in their communities. They’re focused on making large item donations simple by getting your furniture request to a local charity in minutes. Although they are not a charity themselves, they put you in touch with smaller charitable chapters that support the area you live in.
- Who your donation helps: Your donation will support the charitable cause of the thrift store you are put in contact with.
- Items they accept: PickUpMyDonation.com accepts large furniture, large appliances, vehicles, tools, recyclable materials, outdoor recreation items and artwork.
- How to schedule a pick-up: To schedule a pick-up, visit pickupmydonation.com to make a furniture removal request and fill out a form describing the items you want to donate. Next, they’ll put you in contact with the closest thrift store, and if they’re interested in your furniture, they will schedule a furniture removal pickup.
Tips for furniture donation pick up
Donating your furniture is a great way to get rid of furniture you don’t use anymore while also helping your community. Follow these tips for a seamless furniture pickup experience.
- Schedule your donation pick-up in advance: Many charities’ free donation pickup spots fill up quickly, so it’s important not to wait until the last minute to make an appointment. Schedule as far in advance as possible to ensure you get the date and time that works for you.
- Research different organizations: Instead of just picking the first charity on the list, make sure to do some research to make sure their values and methods align with your own. All of the charities listed do great things for their communities, but each has its own way of making an impact.
- Prepare your furniture: Each charity will have individual guidelines for how they want your furniture packaged and prepared for pickup. Leave furniture uncovered to be inspected but make sure it is cleaned and houseware is boxed correctly.
- Write off your furniture donation: Did you know you can write off your furniture donation on your taxes? Simply ask the charity picking up your furniture for a tax receipt or paperwork to file and you’ll be saving money this upcoming tax season.
- Coordinate with neighbors: While many nonprofits allow you to simply leave furniture outside your home for them to retrieve, others might require you to be there. If this is the case, then it’s best to coordinate with a neighbor or friend to stop by when they’re scheduled to arrive.
If you follow these tips, you should have an easy transition and donation pickup day. Also, make sure to always check to see if the organization of your choice has any additional requirements.
Declutter with furniture donation pick up services
Finding a new apartment has never been easier with Rent.’s finder tool. Start your move off on the right foot by using a free furniture removal service to declutter your place and take care of any worries prior to moving into your new home.
