Donations in Chicago When You're Moving: The Ultimate Guide (2024)

Are you moving in Chicago, Illinois? Here is our guide to donations in Chicago. Donating the belongings you no longer want or need will not only save you hours on planning your move and packing your belongings, but it will also save you money on transporting your stuff to your new home, regardless of whether you’re pulling a DIY move or hiring a professional moving company.

Typically, when you are ready to purge before you start packing for a move, we recommend that you do a thorough inventory of your belongings and sort them into three categories: toss, donate or sell. Donating some of these gently-used items to various charities and non-profits will feel good, help the environment, and help someone else. Read on to find out where to donate in Chicago, plus some donating advice, the donation do’s and don’ts, and more.

What to Consider Before You Donate

First, figure out what you want to donate. Some items just aren’t worth donating because they’re broken, outdated, too worn, or plain hazardous. When you are ready to donate, consider your proximity to a donation venue, especially if you want to donate a big item, like a piece of furniture. Many organizations will pick up your donation (here are eight charities that will pick up for free to start with), but you’ll need to make sure they do, and schedule a donation pick up (more on that later).

Next, you also should find out what your chosen venue accepts and what it doesn’t. Most organizations list that information on their websites. If not, consider calling them.

Here’s a list of the places we recommend for donating in Chicago. Some are hyperlocal, others are big thrift store chains with locations nationwide. Maybe you’ll find an organization whose cause matters to you. Or maybe it’s just close to where you live and you’ll choose it for the convenience.

We’re confident you’ll find the best fit that suits your needs.

Where to Donate Your Belongings in Chicago

Brown Elephant

All proceeds from the three locations benefit LGBTQ+ health services and fund coverage for uninsured patients at Howard Brown Health. Home decor, kitchenware, furniture, books, and clothing are all accepted. Pickups are for furniture only.

Cancer Federation

This organization is dedicated to funding cancer research and scholarships, plus providing information, referrals and educational materials for cancer patients and their families. It will resell your donated goods to private companies on a bid/contract basis. The funds raised from the sale of these goods help fund its many programs. (See the list of wanted items.)

Chicago Furniture Bank

This non-profit collects and donates furniture to families in need. It’s located at 4801 S. Whipple Street. The accepted items include bed frames, couches, armchairs, dressers, desks, end tables, coffee tables, kitchen tables and chairs, dishware, rugs, lamps, artwork, and mirrors.

Goodwill

Goodwill has thousands of stores nationwide. The organization accepts new and gently used items to sell in its stores and on its online auction site. To donate your belongings before moving, simply drop everything off at a local Goodwill Donation Center. There are dozens of locations in the metro Chicago area. Use Goodwill’s Chicago-specific website to find a donation center near you.

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore

Consider donating your household goods to these nonprofit donation centers. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore centers sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials, and more. If you’re looking to donate large pieces of furniture, such as couches, dining tables or beds, Habitat for Humanity is a great choice. The organization will pick up your belongings free of charge. Chicago-area ReStore centers do not accept mattresses, box springs, TVs, used doors and windows, sofas, and armoires. (Here’s a list of acceptable donations.) The Chicago ReStore is located at 6040 N. Pulaski Road. All proceeds are used to assist Chicagoans in finding safe, affordable housing.

Out of the Closet

Located at 3311 N. Halsted Street, Out of the Closet accepts clothing and furniture donations at its drop-off site but also offers pickup. It was founded in 1990 to help raise funds and awareness for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. When you donate at Out of the Closet, 96 cents of every dollar made goes to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s HIV prevention and treatment services.

Pickup Please

Moving on a tight deadline and need a donation pick up ASAP? Pickup Please is run by the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and can pick up all your unwanted belongings within 24 hours. The organization then sells the items to generate funding for local, state and national programs of the VVA. Pickup Please accepts clothing, household goods, appliances, electronics, shoes, and more. All donors have to do is schedule their pickup online and leave the labeled boxes outside their door. A Pickup Please driver will pick up the donations and leave a tax deduction receipt behind.

St. Vincent de Paul

This charity helps shelter low-income families and helps them with utility bills, rent, and transportation expenses. Any type of furniture is welcome, but no mattresses, sleeper sofas or pianos, please. There are also 44 drop-box locations in the metro Chicago area (see the full list) where you can bring your bagged donations of used clothing, shoes, purses, and linens.

The Salvation Army

Salvation Army has been in operation since 1865 and has a presence in 131 countries. Items are either brought directly to those who need them or sold at a Salvation Army store, and the organization offers free furniture pickup, among other things. (Here’s where you can schedule a pickup.) Use the Salvation Army Value Guide to estimate the tax-deductible value of commonly donated belongings, including low and high estimates, and save your receipts. They’ll take just about anything including clothes, furniture, appliances, and even used cars. Here’s a list of Salvation Army locations in North and Central Illinois.

The YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago

The YWCA accepts new or gently used clothing and shoes, sorts them, and then sends them to three thrift stores run by Charity Clothing Pickup, which offers free pickup.

Additional Places to Donate

Besides donating used items to charity centers with a nationwide presence, consider giving back to your community by offering up items at local thrift stores, online groups, and marketplaces.

• Dress for Success. If you have gently-used, work-appropriate women’s clothing, consider donating it to this international non-profit organization that helps women thrive in the workplace by providing professional attire and development tools to those who need it. The organization accepts new or nearly-new suits, business-appropriate apparel, shoes, handbags, cosmetics, and jewelry. To donate your items, you’ll need to find an affiliate in your area.
• Food banks. Not sure what to do with all of that leftover food? If you’re not planning on bringing the pantry with you, we recommend donating non-perishable items to a local food bank. Think canned goods, rice, cereal, pasta, etc. All of these unused, non-expired items can feed a person in need. To donate non-perishables, either box everything up and deliver it yourself or hire one ofMove for Hunger‘s relocation company partners to handle your move. These relocation partners will personally deliver all of your food items to local food banks. Move for Hunger is an organization that works with moving professionals nationwide to pick up unwanted food items from those who are moving and deliver them to local food banks. In addition, check our guide to how to find a food pantry in your area.
• Local thrift stores. Donating to thrift stores in your town or city means actively contributing to the local economy and providing affordable goods to your community members. Also, since many local thrift stores operate as a part of non-profit organizations, you’ll directly support the missions and causes they champion. The two standouts are the friendly Avenues to Independence Thrift Shoppe (7710 W. Chicago), which is a non-profit that has helped provide housing and opportunities to adults with all types of disabilities since 1953, and the popular Unique (3748 N. Elston Avenue).
• Online groups and marketplaces. You can directly list your unwanted items on platforms such as Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. This is convenient for larger and more specialized items that may not be suitable for traditional donation centers. You can offer free exchanges with community members through Buy Nothing groups and Nextdoor.
• Local shelters, shelters, community centers, or religious centers. Many local charities accept clothing donations which they then pass on to people in need. In particular, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and other organizations that work with people going through difficult times in their lives are almost always open to accepting your unwanted clothing that is in good, wearable condition. You should call ahead of time to ensure they are accepting clothing donations at that time. And if you have unwanted bedding, towels, or other linens in your closet you no longer want, consider dropping those off with your local animal shelter.

Additional Donation Tips

Donating do’s and don’ts

Do:

• Clean and disinfect every item
• Wash or dry clean clothes
• Make sure the toys, puzzles, books, etc. aren’t damaged
• Avoid donating children’s items that could be choking hazards
• Test all equipment that requires electrical power or batteries
• Know what’s worth donating.The items you’re donating must be in good condition to be accepted and to be of any use to anyone. This doesn’t mean that they have to be brand new, but they should be clean, usable, and free of serious defects.
• Look for responsible disposal methodsthat might not be as convenient as a pickup, but that still keep items out of landfills. For example, textile recycling bins can take unwearable clothing, shoes and bedding and turn them into things like insulation and stuffing for car seats. And your local animal shelter will likely be glad to accept old linens and towels with a couple of stains or tears.
• Do some research before choosing your charity.All of the charities above do good with your donations, but they have different ways of making an impact. Instead of just going with the first choice on the list, check out an organization’s website to ensure their values and methods meet the mark for you (and that they’re available in your area).

Don’t:

• Donate any soiled, expired or broken items
• Include anything that is considered hazardous, such as paint, cleaning supplies and makeup
• Donate anything that has been banned, recalled, or is too old to meet the current safety standards (cribs, car seats, strollers, high chairs, etc.)
• If you’re dropping off instead of scheduling a pickup, don’t leave your donation outside unattended.

To schedule your donation pickup, follow these steps:

1. Find a charity that offers free donation pickup and has a location near you.
2. Contact the charity to make sure it still offers that service.
3. Make sure the organization accepts the items you’re donating (many list what they do and don’t accept on their websites).
4. Prepare your donation by going through the “do” steps listed above.
5. Schedule your pickup.
6. Be home during the pickup appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Donating Before Your Move

What condition should my donation be in?

Gently used but in a condition good enough for resale. If you have doubts about whether your donation is acceptable, try to evaluate whether it’s sellable and whether you’d buy it.

What household items can I donate before moving?

The list is pretty long and typically includes clothes (women’s, men’s, baby), shoes and accessories, appliances, electronics, furniture, pet supplies, office supplies, kitchenware, appliances, baby gear, sports equipment, tools and hardware, cars, and more. Check with the organization directly to see what it accepts.

What items cannot be donated?

Anything outdated, unusable, too worn, broken, dirty, moldy, etc. The list also includes hazardous materials, expired food, and anything that’s not clean or in working condition.

What furniture donations are typically accepted?

Not all organizations accept furniture, but many do. If they do, they will typically accept couches, chairs, tables, lamps, bed frames, mattresses, office furniture, dressers, bookcases, entertainment centers, and so on. Some would accept your piano, but it’s best to check.

What is not available for pickup?

It varies with the organization, as some will only pick up smaller items. Therefore some organizations won’t pick up large furniture or large appliances like a refrigerator or a washer/dryer. Some won’t accept TVs of any kind. Most charities say no to tires, building materials and unassembled items. And no donation organization will accept and pick up any hazardous materials, anything broken, damaged or that doesn’t meet the current safety standards. No firearms, food or beverages either.

Are my donations tax-deductible?

Yes, if the value of your donated contributions exceeds $500. Save your receipt(s) and followIRS’s rules on charitable contributions. One of the rules is that you must file Form 8283 with the IRS for your donation to be tax-deductible.

Who are my donations helping?

It depends on the organization. If you want your donation to go toward a specific cause, check outCharity Watch, an independent charity watchdog that lists the vetted and best-rated charities by cause.

Where can I donate clothes besides Goodwill?

Most charities will take clothes as long as the items are gently used and clean. Charities listed in this article all accept clothes donations. And here are some additional options fordonating clothes.

What clothes shouldn’t be donated?

Undergarments of any kind; anything dirty, soiled, smelly, stained, has holes in it, or is beyond repair in general.

Do I need to wash the clothes I am donating?

Yes. Clothes should be clean, dry, and in good condition. Otherwise, they might be rejected or disposed of.

The Bottom Line

Donating benefits others and the environment, can save you time on packing, and money on the moving expenses. Choose a donation center that is close to you geographically, resonates with you by the cause the organization supports, accepts the items you want to donate, and maybe even offers pickups. Save your receipts as your donation might be tax-deductible.

Additional Resources

Here are a few resources you might find useful when you’re considering donating or just purging before the move.

• How to Decide What Does and Doesn’t Work in Your New Home
• Cleaning Out a Closet Before a Move: 6 Steps to Get it Done
• The Pre-Move Purge: Where to Sell Clothes for Cash Online
• Choosing the Best Short Term Storage Option
• 4 Junk Removal Companies for When You Have Too Much Stuff

Are You Moving Soon?

Done donating before your move? If so, it’s time to find thebest moving companyto handle your upcoming move. Check Moving.com’s extensive network ofreputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Good luck and happy moving!