When you’re moving or decluttering, don’t immediately send your furniture to the landfill — give it to a local or nationwide charity that offers free donation pickup. It’s a great way to support people in need and help make your move a little less stressful.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores offer free furniture donation pickup in all 50 states. Other options include the Salvation Army, Pickup Please (VVA), The Arc, and Goodwill.
However, your options for free pickup will vary based on where you live. In this guide, we’ll introduce 12 charities that offer free furniture donation pickup. We’ll also explore their operating areas and explain how the process works.
How Free Donation Pickup Works (and When It’s Better Than Junk Removal)
When you’re looking for someone to pick up furniture from your house, there are two main options:
- Charity donation pickups: Charities send a driver and a truck right to your house to pick up your items. Then, they use your donated furniture to support people in need.
- Junk removal services: These companies pick up your items and sort them for donation, recycling, or disposal. It’s not a free service, so you’ll need to pay a fee.
So which should you choose? At HireAHelper, we recommend free charity donation pickup services if your furniture is usable and in good condition. We only suggest junk removal services for damaged furniture, but it’s a good option if charities can’t accept your donation and you still need items removed.
The items you can donate vary. Here are some common furniture pieces and household goods, and whether or not most charities accept them:
- Couches: Accepted in good condition
- Mattresses: May be accepted if clean and damage-free; check charity guidelines
- Bed frames: Accepted in good condition, but make sure you disassemble before pickup
- Pianos: Not typically accepted, but you can consider specialized music charities
- Appliances: Small, functioning appliances are usually accepted, but be sure to check the charity’s guidelines for large appliances
- Clothing: Varies by charity and may not be eligible for pickup
National Charities That Offer Free Donation Pickup
Looking to donate furniture and appliances to a charity near you? We’ve put together a handy guide to help you get started. You can refer to this table that lists some of the most common charity organizations to see at a glance what they accept, and if they have free pickup.
National charities with free donation pickup
| Charity | Accepts Furniture? | Accepts Appliances? | Accepts Mattresses? | Free Pickup? |
| AMVETS | Yes (some) | Small appliances | Yes (up to queen, in good condition) | Limited: pickup in MD, VA, DC, DE, TX, OK only |
| The Arc (Arc Thrift) | Yes, at least in some chapters / stores | Depends on location | Depends on location | Depends on location |
| Habitat for Humanity ReStore | Yes | Yes | Varies by location | Generally Yes |
| Furniture Bank Network / Furniture Bank | Yes | Generally No | Varies by location | Yes, but may vary by location |
| GreenDrop | Yes, but only smaller housewares | Yes | Not clearly supported for mattresses | Yes |
| Other Charities (Donation Town, PickUpMyDonation, Pickup Please, Goodwill, Salvation Army, VVA, Out of the Closet) | Varies by local partner charity | Varies by local partner charity | Varies by local partner charity | Yes, but may vary by partner charity |
Which charity is the right fit? Let’s look at each group’s mission and what they accept.
1. AMVETS (American Veterans)
AMVETS helps veterans find housing, healthcare, jobs, and support services. Your donated goods are sold in AMVETS thrift stores, which raise money to fund veterans’ programs.
- Operating locations: Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Texas, Virginia, and Oklahoma
- Donations accepted: Furniture, clothing, accessories, toys, games, bedding, electronics, and household goods up to five years old
- Donations not accepted: Large appliances, mattresses, and hazardous items
- How to schedule a pickup: You can schedule a pickup online.
2. The Arc
The Arc supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Donations are sold at Arc thrift stores to fund programs for employment, education assistance, and training.
- Operating locations: 39 states, including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas
- Donations accepted: Furniture, clothing, electronics, toys, kitchen goods, décor, certain electronics, and household goods
- Donations not accepted: Baby furniture, built-in appliances, computer monitors, hazardous goods, and mattresses
- How to schedule a pickup: Locate your nearest chapter using The Arc’s chapter locator. Contact them directly to check their pickup services and accepted items.
3. Donation Town
Donation Town connects you with local charities that offer free pickup. It’s a no-hassle way to support organizations in your area.
- Operating locations: Nationwide
- Donations accepted: Clothing, household items, toys, electronics, books, sports equipment, small furniture, and small appliances
- Donations not accepted: Large appliances, large furniture, mattresses, items that require fuel, and TVs
- How to schedule a pickup: Donation Town schedules donation pickups through Pickup Please. Enter your ZIP code to find participating local charities.
4. Furniture Bank Network
The Furniture Bank Network connects you with local charities that provide furniture to families in need. Many are getting out of homelessness, domestic violence, or other crises. By donating, you can support people with limited resources.
- Operating locations: U.S. and Canada
- Donations accepted: Gently used beds, couches, dressers, tables, chairs, mattresses, desks, lamps, and area rugs
- Donations not accepted: Appliances, kitchen goods, bedding, cribs, and curtains
- How to schedule a pickup: Use the Furniture Bank Network directory to find a participating furniture bank near you. Then, you can schedule a pickup.
5. Goodwill Industries
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Goodwill Industries operates over 3,000 independent stores across the U.S. and Canada. Your donations help create jobs for people who might struggle to find employment.
- Operating locations: Nationwide
- Donations accepted: Clean, good-condition sofas, dining tables, dressers, nightstands, bookshelves, kitchenware, small appliances, electronics, linens, and home décor
- Donations not accepted: Mattresses, box springs, or large appliances
- How to schedule a pickup: Find the nearest Goodwill store online. Then, contact them to find out if they offer furniture pickup.
6. GreenDrop
GreenDrop is a for-profit organization that picks up donations on behalf of nonprofits. Partner charities include the American Red Cross and Big Brothers Big Sisters. GreenDrop pays the charity for your donation, helping them fund their operations.
- Operating locations: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and California
- Donations accepted: Small furniture, small appliances, clothing, electronics, bedding, books, backpacks, sporting goods, toys, and housewares (max weight 50 pounds)
- Donations not accepted: Large appliances, mattresses, damaged furniture, baby products, medical equipment, certain TVs, and hazardous goods
- How to schedule a pickup: Schedule a pickup online.
7. Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Habitat for Humanity ReStores sell donated home goods to fund local homebuilding projects. Most locations offer free pickup for larger donations.
- Operating locations: Nationwide
- Donations accepted: Sofas, chairs, tables, bed frames, bookshelves, and filing cabinets, as well as building materials and household goods
- Donations not accepted: Broken or damaged items, mattresses, commercial lighting, chemicals, certain electronics, and gas-powered items
- How to schedule a pickup: Find your nearest ReStore in the ReStore directory. If they offer pickup in your area, you can book a date online.
8. Out of the Closet
Out of the Closet is a thrift store chain operated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. The proceeds go to support free HIV research, testing, prevention, and treatment services.
- Operating locations: California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, New York, Illinois, and Washington
- Donations accepted: Furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, kitchen goods, home décor, and books
- Donations not accepted: Mattresses, bedding, towels, linens, built-in appliances, TVs or appliances over 3 years old, kids’ clothing, baby items, and bed frames
- How to schedule a pickup: Use the online form to schedule a pickup.
9. Pickup Please
Pickup Please is a free service that picks up small goods. The organization sells the items and uses the money to support charities like the Vietnam Veterans of America.
- Operating locations: 15 states, including California, Colorado, and Florida
- Donations accepted: Small items that one person can lift and carry, including clothing, household goods, electronics, sporting goods, and small furnishings
- Donations not accepted: Large or heavy couches, mattresses, box springs, desks, chairs, dressers, TVs, fuel-powered items, and appliances
- How to schedule a pickup: Visit the website and enter your ZIP code to check availability in your area.
10. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an international charity that offers a range of programs for disaster relief, rent assistance, and family services. The furniture you donate is sold in the organization’s thrift stores to raise money to help people around the country.
- Operating locations: Nationwide
- Donations accepted: Mattresses, sofas, bed frames, tables, clothing, household goods, small appliances, and sporting goods
- Donations not accepted: Gas appliances, built-in appliances, large console TVs, TVs older than 5 years, paint, chemicals, and gas heaters
- How to schedule a pickup: Visit the Salvation Army donations website, and enter your ZIP code to see the free appliance donation pickup options in your area.
11. Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
Vietnam Veterans of America supports and advocates for veterans. Your goods are sold to provide funding for programs, including VA claims assistance.
- Operating locations: More than 30 states
- Donations accepted: Small furniture, clothing, bedding, small appliances, shoes, baby items, TVs and small electronics, kitchenware, and tools
- Donations not accepted: Built-in appliances, fuel-operated items, and printers
- How to schedule a pickup: Find a location in your state on the VVA website, and schedule a pickup online.
12. PickUpMyDonation
PickUpMyDonation is an online platform that connects you with local nonprofits that offer furniture pickup. It’s a tool, not a charity, designed to help you support charities in your area.
- Operating locations: 48 states
- Donations accepted: Dressers, sofas, bed frames, shelving units, and certain appliances
- Donations not accepted: Hazardous items, fuel, flammable items
- How to schedule a pickup: Enter your ZIP code into the pick-up provider locator and describe what you’d like to donate. If a partner nonprofit wants your items, you’ll hear from them directly to arrange a free pickup.
Local Donation Pickup Options Near You
Not sure which charities offer furniture donation pickup for free in your area? Most charities offer ZIP code lookup tools for convenience, so you should visit your chosen organization’s website to check if they operate near you.
If you don’t have a specific charity in mind, you can run a quick Google search for local donation pickup options. Try phrases like “donation pickup in Chicago” or “free donation pickup in Los Angeles.”
How to find local donation pickup options:
- Search for local charities in your area
- Visit charity websites to find donation pickup services
- Contact the organization to schedule a pickup
Regional charities that offer local furniture donation pickup
New York City
Los Angeles
Chicago
Houston
Phoenix
Philadelphia
San Antonio
San Diego
Dallas
San Jose
Las Vegas
Long Island
Atlanta
Brooklyn
San Francisco
Sacramento
Seattle
Bronx
Tucson
What if I Can’t Find an Organization I Can Donate To?
Sometimes, the big-name charities don’t serve your ZIP code, or maybe they don’t take the items you have to donate. If you still want to donate furniture (with free pickup) to veterans or local families, you’ve got options:
- Check local veterans’ Facebook groups: Many vets use community groups to ask for help when they’re setting up a new home or coming back from deployment.
- Check local moms and women’s Facebook groups: This is a great way to donate to women who have fled domestic violence situations or are facing other hardships.
- Post in your city’s Nextdoor or Buy Nothing group: These platforms can connect you to neighbors looking to furnish apartments. Many are foster youth who have aged out of care or families who are recovering after a crisis.
- Call a nearby shelter or community health org: Transitional housing programs might accept donated furniture. This is a great way to donate small items like chairs or end tables.
- Contact an animal rescue: Many animal shelters can use older couches, clean rugs, or end tables. Your donations can help create more comfortable adoption rooms or office spaces.
What Charities Accept (and Don’t Accept) for Donation Pickup
Before you start packing up your stuff, make sure that charities can take it. Here are some of the items that charities usually accept and reject for donation pickups — plus a few that are hit-or-miss.
Accepted for donation pickup
- Furniture in good condition
- Small appliances
- Clothing (in bags)
- Toys and books (in boxes)
Not accepted for donation pickup
- Mattresses
- Built-in appliances
- Hazardous or flammable substances
- Baby gear and furniture
- Gas-powered items and appliances
- Dirty, broken, or damaged items
May be accepted for pickup
- Large appliances
- Older TVs and electronics
- Large furniture
The size of your furniture often determines if it’s eligible for free donation pickup. Some charities have large trucks, so they can handle bed frame donation pickup and couch donation pickup.
Safety matters, too. Most charities won’t do used mattress donation pickup for health reasons, including pest or allergen concerns. The same goes for flammable substances like paint and fuel.
How to Prepare Items for Donation Pickup
Once you’ve scheduled a donation pickup, it’s time to get your items ready. Here’s how to prep your donations:
- Clean items: Wipe down hard surfaces, vacuum under cushions, and make sure appliances are free of dust.
- Check functionality: Test items to ensure they’re working correctly and safe to donate.
- Check and label parts: Put screws and hardware into a plastic bag, and tape it to the item.
- Place in the correct spot: If your charity does curbside pickup, make sure items are clearly labeled with the organization’s name so drivers know what to take. Use plastic bins or tarps if there’s rain in the forecast. For in-home pickup, make sure the items are near the front door and ready to move.
When the driver arrives, ask about a tax receipt. Some charities give them to you on the spot, while others will email receipts later.
What Are the Tax Advantages of Donating Furniture?
As you prep your furniture for pickup, take some time to consider how much it’s worth. When you give to a qualified nonprofit, the IRS allows you to deduct the fair market value of donated household goods if you itemize your return on your taxes. If you take the standard deduction, donations won’t make a difference.
PULL QUOTE: “Most charities offer ZIP code lookup tools for convenience, so you should visit your chosen organization’s website to check if they operate near you.”
First, though, you’ll need a receipt from the organization. Most charities will give you one automatically, as long as the items are in good condition.
The value of your deduction depends on what similar items are worth when they’re resold. Think of it like this: If you donated a sofa that could sell for $150 online, that’s about how much you can write off.
How Do I Donate Furniture to Veterans With Free Pickup?
If you want your donation to support veterans, check out AMVETS and Vietnam Veterans of America. They provide free donation pickup in select areas. The best part? The proceeds help fund veterans’ assistance programs.
To make an impact closer to home, try reaching out to your nearby American Legion or VFW post to find vets in need. Some posts may even accept furniture donations for their own spaces.
No matter where you decide to give, you can rest assured that your furniture will go to a good cause. Whether you’re moving or just freeing up some extra space, free donation pickups are a great way to help others and make your life a little easier.