How to Donate 4 Big Ticket Items to Goodwill and Reap the Rewards

We all have those bulky dated items floating around our homes that we are constantly moving around in order to get them out of the way or dispose of anything that might be an “eyesore” for guests and visitors. You may be finding that the larger the item, the harder it is to hide. Or maybe you have old high dollar items that you are ready to let go of but don’t know how to suitably get rid of them. The simplest way to properly dispose of these items is to donate them to your local Goodwill. Not only will you benefit from knowing that you are helping those in need, but you will also discover a few more hidden benefits as well. Follow this guide to find out the simple but necessary steps you must take in order to properly dispose of your old big ticket items.

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Vehicles: Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Boats, RVs, and More

Do you have an old car, truck, motorcycle, boat, RV, or any other old motor vehicle sitting in your yard or garage taking up space? If so consider donating your motor vehicle to your local Goodwill. In just five easy steps, Goodwill will take care of your vehicle with no cost to you. The first step you must take is to contact Goodwill about your vehicle donation. Visit Goodwill Car Donation online for contact information. The next step is to get your title notarized. If you are unsure how to go about completing this process this process, follow Goodwill Auto Auction’s guide on how to complete your title to donate. After your title is properly notarized, prepare your vehicle for donation by removing all personal items and license plates. Goodwill will then pick up your vehicle and tow it away completely free of charge, and they will send you your tax reduction after the vehicle is sold.

If your goal is to maximize your tax reduction, it is important to decide if donating a vehicle makes financial sense to you before you actually begin the donation process. There are many things to consider when making this decision, including itemizing your return, charity qualifications, how to deduct and determine fair market value, and necessary paperwork and documentation. Whatever your goals and reasons for donating a vehicle may be, remember to always follow IRS guidelines for vehicle donations.

Overall, the process of donating a motor vehicle is simple, costs you nothing, and comes with perks. As far as the benefits go, Goodwill will completely take care of hauling away your car or vehicle for free. You will remove a huge eyesore from your property and free space in your yard or garage. Goodwill will send you a tax receipt in the mail and you may maximize tour tax reduction.  And lastly, you will receive the joy that comes with helping those who need it.

Donating vehicles to Goodwill does not have to be limited to cars, trucks, and SUVs. Goodwill will accept any motor vehicle from small compact cars to boats, riding lawn mowers, and even airplanes. Follow the links below to view frequently asked questions about donating a motor vehicle and to learn more about donating vehicles to Goodwill.

Goodwill Auto Auction and Vehicle Donation Program | Goodwill Dayton Auto

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Donations | Goodwill Car Donation

Does it Make Financial Sense to Donate a Car to a Charity? | Edmunds

Tips for Donating a Car to Charity | Charity Watch

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Electronics: From Computers and Laptops to Cell Phones, TVs, and VCRs

Electronic parts from computers, cell phones, flat screen TVs, and other electronic items are a hazard to the environment if they are not properly disposed of. An electronic item, no matter how old, should never be thrown away without proper disposal. If you have an old computer you are looking to dispose of, consider recycling it through a program such as Dell Reconnect. Dell Reconnect is a partnership with Goodwill Industries that will responsibly recycle your used technology. All you have to do is take your old computer and all of its equipment to one of Goodwill’s 2,000 plus Dell Connect Participating locations and Dell’s trained team of professionals will properly refurbish your electronic materials or make sure they are recycled responsibly. Simply enter your zip code at Dell Reconnect’s location finder to find a Dell Connect location near you.

Always remember, before donating any type of electronic product, to remove all personal information from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill. Remove the SIM card from cell phones before donating or learn how to transfer your data from an old hard drive to a new one.

For electronic devices it is especially important to double check your local Goodwill’s website to see what kind of electronics they accept. A lot of stores accept just about everything, however some locations do not. For example, most Goodwill locations across the US will accept flat-panel monitor LED and LCD HGTVs but will no longer accept the original CTR tube televisions. If you have a CTR TV and your local Goodwill will not accept it, there are other organizations that will. Find out how to recycle your old tube TV at greencitizen.com.

There are many benefits to both donating and recycling your electronics with Goodwill. According to Goodwill Industries, properly recycling old electronic products keeps environmentally hazardous materials out of local landfills. Recycling electronics also powers local job training programs and employment opportunities. If your donated electronics are able to be repaired and refurbished, Goodwill will delightfully mail you a tax reduction after your electronic item is sold.

There are many various ways to properly recycle old electronic devices. Your options are not limited to donation. You can bring your items straight to a specialized recycling company, contact a tech firm, or trade it in for a new device. Remember to always consider your state’s laws when deciding the best recycling option for you.

The Benefits of Electronics Recycling | CJD E-Cycling

Electronics Donation and Recycling – Why and How to | US Environmental Protection Agency

How to Recycle Old Electronics | Consumer Reports

Comparison of State Laws on Electronics Recycling | Electronics Take Back Coalition

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Furniture: Dressers, Tables, Sofas, Bed Frames, and Other Large Items

Whether you’re moving, upgrading your furniture, or creating more space in your home, you will need to find a proper way to dispose of any or all of your old large furniture items. Do not waste your time trying to hack your used dining room table to bits and dumping it. And don’t be that person sitting around waiting for an offer on your craigslisted couch. When it comes to getting rid of old furniture, donating it is the way to go. No need to spend the unnecessary time chopping up your old furniture. Just find a Goodwill location near you to where you are able to donate your furniture. Before heading to Goodwill with your items, always check your local Goodwill’s website to make sure they accept the type of furniture you want to donate.

Goodwill Industries is a good choice when considering different donation specialists. Most Goodwill locations make house calls for furniture or other large items that are hard to transport. Contact your local Goodwill to find out if Goodwill’s pick-up service is available to you.

Goodwill’s home pick-up service is not the only benefit of donating your furniture to Goodwill. Goodwill is a great choice because of their generous nonprofit mission to create jobs for people in need, give back to local communities nationwide, and provide sustainable living options. In the spring of 2017, Goodwill Industries International partnered with IKEA US to host their first national “furniture take back” activity. On April 22, 2017, people could come to their local IKEA parking lot where a Goodwill truck was present to receive their donated used furniture. Anyone who donated on that day received a coupon for $20 off a $150 IKEA purchase as part of the “IKEA Sustainable Living Your Way Event.”

Donating your used furniture to Goodwill is a sustainable solution that will benefit both the community and you. Stay connected with Goodwill and IKEA’s  furniture donation events online to participate in the future. Goodwill with help you make the donation process simple and beneficial to everyone.

Thinking About Donating Old Furniture? | The Huffington Post

Antique Furniture Appraisals | Value My Stuff

Furniture Calculator | Splitwise

Where to Donate Used Furniture to Charity | Money Crashers

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Jewelry: Stones, Jewels, Fine Gems, and Collectibles

If you have any old fashion jewelry pieces you would like to donate there are a few things to consider before sending them in to your local Goodwill. First, it is important to get jewelry items appraised before donating them, especially if they were expensive or of high value. Jewels and gems are so specialized that they should be appraised specifically by a jewelry appraiser who will describe the style, cut, and setting of the gems as well as analyze and report the coloring, weight, brilliance, and flaws of the jewelry. The appraiser must also decide whether or not your jewelry is currently in fashion. If your jewelry happens to no longer meet current fashion trends you have the option to have your jewelry refurbished.  Your appraiser should decide if your jewelry should be redesigned, re-cut, or reset as part of the appraisal process. Deciding to refurbish your jewelry will increase the value of your piece(s) which is important when donating because, after donation, the more your jewels can sell for the better return you will receive and the greater benefit to you after you receive your tax receipt.

Keep in mind that the value of your jewelry is not affected by the sentimental or person value you place on it. Fair market value is completely different. There are many factors that go into the fair market value of an item. For example, if your jewelry was once owned by a famous person, its fair market value might increase. The Spruce will guide you through three easy steps to help you find out if your jewelry is valuable. It’s important to know what your gems and stones are worth before you send then in to be donated so you know what to expect in return if the item is sold.

Jewelry items are commonly the hardest to give away because of their sentimental value they tend have to us. If there are any items that you are sad to part with or may be hard to say goodbye to, take pictures to preserve the memory! And remember that by donating your items you are helping someone in need and giving your treasures new life.

Places to Donate Jewelry | Sabrina’s Organizing

3 Tips to Determine Value of Custom Jewelry | AZ Central

How to Recycle Jewelry | Recycle Nation

How Much is My Jewelry Worth? Jewelry Appraisals and Cash Value | Arden Jewelers

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No matter what you are donating, choosing Goodwill helps to fulfill the company’s mission of providing an environmentally responsible end-of-life solution for big ticket items that are challenging for consumers to donate. According to Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, “Goodwill will sell those donated items in stores to create job training and placement opportunities for people in local communities throughout the United States,” “Goodwill is a nonprofit social enterprise and its retail footprint uses material donations to provide employment services so that people can find jobs, earn paychecks, and build their skills and credentials.” Sending your used big ticket items will not only allow you to benefit from tax reductions. You will also reap the benefits of knowing you are contributing to the community and actively helping neighbors in need.

How to Donate Your Stuff to Goodwill | Goodwill Industries International Inc

Goodwill Donation Guidelines and Accepted Items | Amazing Goodwill

How to Fill Out a Goodwill Donation Tax Receipt | Goodwill NNE

9 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Donate to Goodwill | Goodwill NNE

Frequently Asked Questions | Goodwill Industries International, Inc.