Declutter and Donate to Goodwill: Take Advantage of Tax Deductions and Create Jobs

Now is the time for families to clean out their homes and storage spaces to make room for this past holiday’s presents. There are more than 3,000 Goodwill stores (www.lincolngoodwill.org) across the United States and Canada that are ready to take donations and sell them in their stores. The revenue generated will fund job training programs and community-based support services for people with barriers to employment.

All Goodwill locations accept donations of clothing, household goods, electronics, computers and accessories, and furniture. Donors should verify what specific items their local Goodwill agency will accept before dropping them off.

Goodwill donors can calculate the positive impact of their donation with the Donation Impact Calculator. Users can choose their donations from the drop-down menu, and the calculator will display the impact of that donation on the community. For example, a donation of one bag of clothes provides one hour of résumé preparation assistance for someone who is looking for work and building a career.

Donations to Goodwill are tax deductible, but donors should make sure they get their receipts. They should also use reliable resources to help them estimate the value of their donations. Goodwill recommends the website www.charitydeductions.com.

Visit www.lincolngoodwill.org to find your nearest Goodwill retail and donation center.