Your Goodwill Donations Support Job Training and Placement Programs
For over 100 years, Goodwill has been providing services that help people find and keep jobs. We provide job training, placement, and access to tools and technology for people experiencing barriers to work. We help employers develop innovative programs that connect job seekers to opportunities. And your generous donations help make it all happen. Whether you are donating toys, books, clothing, or small kitchen appliances, the funds raised through the sale of those items is used to support our workforce development mission.
How to donate your gently used items to Goodwill
Donating to Goodwill is easy! We happily accept donations of new or gently used items, including:
- Clothing and shoes
- Coats and boots
- Books, records, CDs, videotapes, and DVDs
- Housewares, dishes, glassware, and small appliances
- Collectibles and home décor
- Working home electronics, flat screen TVs
- And more!
Simply pack up your items and drop them off at the nearest store and donation center. Money raised through the sale of your generous donations will be used to help people in Southeastern Wisconsin or Metropolitan Chicago find and keep jobs. Your extra household items might help someone right in your community!
Goodwill even accepts donations of cars, trucks, or motorcycles! It's as easy as filling out the online vehicle donation form.
Find a donation center near you
Donation Receipt Builder
We’re making it easier than ever for you to track your Goodwill donation receipts. With this system, you will no longer have to hold on to your paper receipt. Once you register, the Donation Tracker will generate an electronic receipt for you and even send it to your email address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Donating to Goodwill
Is Goodwill a nonprofit?
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. You can read our most recent Annual Report and our 990 forms to learn more about our nonprofit and mission.
How is my donation used?
Nearly 99 percent of the items donated at one of our store and donations centers are sold in your local Goodwill. Some items are selected to be sold online in our ecommerce store, GoodwillFinds. However, for every 100 items donated, 99 are sold in stores. Unsold merchandise is transported to one of our outlet stores where it is sold at bargain-priced, by-the-pound rates. Any unsold items from the outlet store are recycled. In 2020, Goodwill kept over 139 million pounds of materials out of landfills. Not only do your generous donations support the Goodwill mission, they also show that you care about the environment. It’s a win-win.
Where does Goodwill money go?
Purchases made at Goodwill help fund our mission of creating job training and placement programs for people facing barriers to employment. Wondering about Goodwill’s impact in your area? Read our local impact fact sheets to see the results of our mission work in our county.
Does Goodwill pick up donations?
Unfortunately, with the exception of vehicles, we do not pick up donations.
Can I donate furniture to Goodwill?
Although it hard to say no to a generous donation, we are unable to accept donations of furniture or large exercise equipment, including:
- Chairs, stools, or couches
- Mattresses or bed frames
- Desks or office furniture
- Tables
- Dressers or bookcases
- Pianos
Be sure to read our donor guidelines before packing up your car!
Who is the CEO of Goodwill?
Steve Preston is the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. Learn more about Steve Preston.
