I frequently get asked for lists of where to donate clothes, books, furniture, etc. And, to be totally honest, there are a ton of options for donations centers that will accept gently used/new items! Because, let’s face it, we all have had those new items that never got used and now need a new home.
I’ve spent a lot of time researching national and local organizations and what they will accept. Since this list is ridiculously long, I suggest grabbing a few organizations that speak to you and use those as your go-to donation spots! There are national organizations and local Chicago organizations, with lists of items they take including where to donate clothes Chicago!
National Donation Organizations
GENERAL DONATIONS
Goodwill
Benefits: Help individuals with barriers to employment learn the skills to find competitive employment
Accepts: Clothing, electronics, appliances, furniture, and more
Salvation Army
Benefits: Provide community programs, homeless services, rehabilitation, disaster relief, and assistance to those in need
Accepts: Clothing, furniture, household goods, sporting equipment, books, electronics, and more
Vietnam Veterans of America
Benefits: Help Vietnam-era veterans and their families
Accepts: Clothing, baby items, housewares, electronics, small appliances, tools, and just about anything else
Volunteers of America
Benefits: Support at-risk youth, elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions
Accepts: Clothing, furniture, toys, and household goods for their thrift stores
Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation
Benefits: Provide needed items to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota
Accepts: From school, sewing, crafts, sporting, baby, and office supplies, to toiletries, clothing, Christmas gifts, holiday items, bed, bath and kitchen linens, cold weather gear, crayons, and more (see website for specific needs)
Operation Give
Benefits: They work around the world to give our troops the ability to serve others after they have retired from the Armed Forces
Accepts: Toys, school supplies, art supplies, sports equipment, and more (FedEx provides FREE shipping from anywhere in the US to their warehouse)
The Help Kenya Project
Benefits: Provide Kenya’s students with science, English, and computer skills
Accepts: Used computers, books, clothing, sports equipment, and other supplies
Cause USA
Benefits: Send gift packs to wounded military personnel and their families
Accepts: Playing cards, handheld electronic games, current magazines, batteries, travel-size toiletries, and more
Forgotten Soldiers Outreach
Benefits: Send care packages to deployed soldiers
Accepts: Travel-size toiletries, packaged food, flea collars, batteries, tube socks, envelopes, trash bags, and more
CLOTHING, SHOES, AND ACCESSORIES
Dress for Success
Benefits: Provide interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women
Accepts: Women’s business suits and other professional apparel, footwear, and accessories
Career Gear
Benefits: Provide under-served job-seeking men with training, career counseling, interviews, and professional clothing
Accepts: Men’s suits, dress shirts, ties, shoes, briefcases, and other interview-appropriate clothing
The Women’s Alliance
Benefits: Provide professional attire and career skills training to low-income women and their families
Accepts: Women’s business clothing and professional accessories
Planet Aid
Benefits: Provide clothing to people in developing nations, and fund community, health, agricultural, and vocational programs
Accepts: Gently-used, unsoiled, functional clothing and shoes
Soles4Souls
Benefits: Distribute shoes to people in need in over 125 countries
Accepts: All types of new or gently-worn shoes: athletic, running, dress, sandals, pumps, heels, work boots, cleats, dance, and flip flops
ANIMALS
Indigo Rescue
Benefits: Assist county animal shelters, and rehabilitate pets and place them in adoptive homes
Accepts: Jewelry (for fundraising events)
Animal Guardian Network
Benefits: Rescue and place homeless pets with loving families, and assist low-income seniors and financially disadvantaged individuals with their pet care
Accepts: Gently-used designer handbags to sell in their boutique
WEDDING AND PROM DRESSES
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Benefits: Operates a wish-granting service enabling patients to make special memories with their loved ones
Accepts: New and used wedding gowns from 2005 to present
Brides Across America
Benefits: Provide wedding gowns to military brides in need
Accepts: New or gently-used bridal gowns, not more than three years old
BABY AND CHILDREN’S ITEMS
Project Night Night
Benefits: Reduce the trauma of homeless children with Night Night Packages of childhood comforts
Accepts: Stuffed animals, blankets, and children’s books
SAFE (Stuffed Animals for Emergencies)
Benefits: Collect items to give to children in emotional, traumatic, or stressful situations (like fires, illness, abuse, homelessness, and natural disasters)
Accepts: New or gently-used stuffed animals
Newborns in Need
Benefits: Provide care necessities to local agencies and hospitals serving premature, ill, or impoverished newborns
Accepts: Baby clothing, toys, and other items; also fabric, yarn, thread, and other supplies
Touching Little Lives
Benefits: Provide necessity items to needy infants in Ohio
Accepts: Baby clothing, booties, toys, blankets, and other items; also flannel, thread, batting, and yarn
Ronald McDonald House
Benefits: Provide a “home-away-from-home” for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost
Accepts: New toys, food, and household products
ELECTRONICS
World Computer Exchange
Benefits: Provide used computers and technology to schools, libraries, community centers & universities in developing countries
Accepts: Computers, laptops, printers, hard drives, software, and other electronics
National Cristina Foundation
Benefits: Provide computer technology to people with disabilities or economic disadvantages, to enable them to lead more independent and productive lives
Accepts: Desktops, notebooks, printers, peripherals, software, and more
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Benefits: Work to eliminate domestic violence, and empower battered women and children
Accepts: Used cell phones
Computer Recycling Center
Benefits: Place computers in public community programs through Computers & Education™, and recycle unusable items to keep them out of landfills
Accepts: Computers, laptops, home electronics
HopeLine from Verizon
Benefits: Provide refurbished phones to local domestic violence organizations
Accepts: No-longer-used wireless phones, batteries, and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Benefits: Use the money from recycling cell phones to purchase calling cards for troops in need
Accepts: Used cell phones
iOS Device Recycling Program
Benefits: Bring high technology mobile devices (installed with educational apps) into classrooms
Accepts: iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches
OFFICE AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES
The GrayMatters Foundation
Benefits: Support and empower people impacted by brain tumors through outreach, awareness, and assistance programs
Accepts: Stickers, postage stamps, blank or encouragement cards, and envelopes
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Benefits: Funds worldwide research efforts and nationwide programs to aid those with neuromuscular diseases
Accepts: Computers, software, office equipment, furniture, and supplies for use in local offices
Develop Africa
Benefits: Provide books, school and teaching supplies, scholarships, and job-related training in Africa
Accepts: A wide variety of school and office supplies
BOOKS
International Book Project
Benefits: Promote education and literacy by sending quality used books overseas
Accepts: Textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, vocational books, and children’s books
Global Literacy Project
Benefits: Foster community-based literacy initiatives throughout the world
Accepts: In need of Pre-K to 12th-grade reading books as well as Math and science textbooks
Darien Book Aid
Benefits: Peace Corps volunteers, libraries and schools all over the world
Accepts: A variety of new and gently-used books. Please call before shipping, to make sure your donations fit their needs
Books for Africa
Benefits: Help create a culture of literacy by shipping books to libraries and classrooms in Africa
Accepts: A wide variety of new and gently-used books, generally 15 years old or newer
The Bridge of Books Foundation
Benefits: Provide books to children in low-income families, particularly through foster family agencies, homeless shelters, underfunded schools, and neighborhood centers
Accepts: New and used children’s books, from preschool through high school
Books Through Bars
Benefits: Send quality reading and educational material to prisoners, thereby promoting successful community re-integration
Accepts: A variety of new and gently-used books
Books for Soldiers
Benefits: Facilitate the direct donation of books to soldiers serving overseas
Accepts: Books and magazines (as well as CDs, DVDs, and video games) requested by soldiers
DVD’S AND CD’S
Kidflicks.org
Benefits: Create movie libraries for children’s hospitals and pediatric wards across the US
Accepts: DVDs
DVDs4Vets
Benefits: Provide DVDs to VA facilities for veterans in rehabilitation
Accepts: DVDs and portable DVD players
Musicians On Call
Benefits: Provide hospitals with complete CD libraries and players for patient use
Accepts: New or gently-used CDs and new, unused personal CD players
ART AND CRAFT SUPPLIES
Care Wear
Benefits: Provide handmade baby items to premature infants in neonatal intensive care units
Accepts: Yarn, flannel, broadcloth, and other fabrics suitable for children’s toys, apparel, and blankets/quilts
A Little Something
Benefits: Help refugee women in Denver, CO become self-sufficient through crafting
Accepts: Leftover or unwanted beads or jewelry-making supplies, weaving fiber, knitting needles, and natural fiber yarn
Beads of Courage
Benefits: Provide arts-in-medicine for children with serious illnesses
Accepts: All types of beads, of any color and shape
Binky Patrol
Benefits: Distribute homemade blankets (sewn, knitted, crocheted, or quilted) to children in need
Accepts: Fabric, yarn, batting, and finished blankets
The Knitting Connection
Benefits: Distribute supplies to volunteers to make hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, afghans, baby booties, layette sets, and Christmas stockings for children in need
Accepts: Yarn, knitting needles, knitting books, and finished knitted/crocheted items
The Mother Bear Project
Benefits: Provide hand-knit and crocheted bears to children with HIV/AIDS in emerging nations
Accepts: Yarn, knitting needles, PolyFil, postage stamps, packing tape
Knots of Love
Benefits: Provide crocheted and knitted caps for chemo patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries
Accepts: Yarn
Children’s Healing Art Project
Benefits: Create art classes for children in Portland’s children’s hospitals
Accepts: A variety of art supplies
SPORTS EQUIPMENT
One World Running
Benefits: Provide running shoes to those in need in the US and throughout the world
Accepts: New and near-new running shoes
Bikes for the World
Benefits: Donate bicycles to developing countries, so that individuals can get to work or school, or provide health and education services to low-income rural people
Accepts: Any serviceable adult or children’s bicycles, as well as bike parts, tools, and accessories
Bicycles for Humanity
Benefits: Send bicycles to developing countries, to empower disadvantaged people through improved access to food and water, employment, healthcare, education, and social opportunities
Accepts: Bicycles, as well as bike parts, tools, clothing, helmets, tires, and tubes
PeacePassers
Benefits: Distribute soccer supplies to communities in need, to empower youth and maximize hope
Accepts: Soccer gear like balls, shoes, jerseys, shorts, and socks
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Marching Mountains
Benefits: Supply public school band programs in distressed counties in Appalachia with donated new and used musical instruments
Accepts: Musical instruments in good working condition (mainly for marching and concert bands)
Education Through Music
Benefits: Promote the integration of music into the curricula of disadvantaged schools to enhance students’ academic performance and general development
Accepts: A variety of musical instruments
EYEGLASSES
Unite for Sight
Benefits: Support eye care for patients living in extreme poverty in developing countries
Accepts: New reading glasses, distance glasses, and sunglasses
One Sight
Benefits: Provide free vision care and eyewear to people in need around the world
Accepts: 2 million pairs of gently-used eyewear
New Eyes for the Needy
Benefits: Send eyeglasses to medical missions and international charitable organizations for distribution to the poor in developing nations
Accepts: Eyeglasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, hearing aids
CARS
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Cars for Kids’ Sake
Benefits: Provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better
Accepts: All types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motor homes, boats, airplanes, farm equipment, and construction equipment
Habitat for Humanity Cars for Homes
Benefits: Build and rehabilitate houses for families in need
Accepts: Cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and construction equipment
American Diabetes Association
Benefits: Strive to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes
Accepts: Cars, trucks, trailers, boats, and RVs
National Foundation for Cancer Research
Benefits: Support cancer research and public education relating to the prevention, earlier diagnosis, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for cancer.
Accepts: Cars, trucks, boats, and SUVs
MISCELLANEOUS
Project C.U.R.E.
Benefits: Donate medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics around the world
Accepts: New and used medical equipment and supplies, including crutches, wheelchairs, and beds
UNICEF
Benefits: Provide humanitarian relief to children around the globe
Accepts: Foreign coins and notes
TESSA
Benefits: Provide safety and counseling to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in El Paso and Teller counties
Accepts: Grocery and retailer gift cards, used cell phones
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Benefits: Grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions
Benefits: Retailer gift cards and gift certificates
St. Jude’s Ranch
Benefits: Serve all abused, abandoned, and neglected children and families in a safe, homelike environment
Accepts: Used greeting cards
Local Illinois Donation Centers
Accepts: Household items, furniture, clothing, appliances under ten years old, but no baby items, mattresses/box springs, or TVs
Benefits: Low-income families in the Chicagoland Jewish community
Drop-Off: During regular business hours: 1302 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL, or 3100 Dundee Road #802 Northbrook 9-12 1st Sunday of the month.
Accepts: Men & women’s professional/business clothing (especially plus size, tall, and men’s shoes) and contemporary/in season men & women’s casual clothing, shoes, and accessories. Clothing must be clean and in good condition
Benefits: Low/no-income men, women, and youth job-seekers
Drop off: 1236 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60607
Accepts: Household items, clothing, toys, books, instruments (no pianos or organs) No computers, humidifiers, mattresses, or box springs
Pick-up: Suburbs: Northern Yes City and Southern Suburbs: depends on Zip Code
Accepts: Clothing, household wares, and hygiene kits
Benefits: Those In Need
Pickup: Yes
Drop Off: 721 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL
Accepts: They have an ever-changing “wish list”, so call ahead
Benefits: Abused women
Pickup: No
Drop Off: 1160 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL
Accepts: Clothing, furniture, household items. No computers, TV, curtain rods mattresses/box springs
Benefits: Children and adults with developmental disabilities
Drop Off: 1815 W. Central Road, Arlington Heights, IL
Benefits: Low income & homeless children from birth to age 12
Email: communitychicago@cradlestocrayons.org
Pickup: Not available
Drop Off: Multiple locations click link
Benefits: National Council for Jewish Women – Northshore Section.
Pickup: Call to arrange
Drop Off: 107 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL
Accepts: See an online list here
Benefits: Offers counseling, advocacy, and educational services to people with epilepsy, their families, and the communities in which they live.
Accepts: Clothing, household items, new toys, computers, and office supplies. No used mattresses/box springs!
Benefits: Victims of domestic violence and their children
Drop Off: Thursday only (call 773-375-8400 to schedule)
Benefits: Low-income families who partner with Habitat as new homeowners.
Website: www.chicagolandhabitat.org/
Drop-off: 8 locations in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, and Will counties
Benefits: Collect formal dresses and accessories and provide them, free of charge, to Chicago-area students who are unable to purchase their own prom attire
Accepts: New and almost-new prom dresses and accessories
Benefits: Chicago’s Emergency Shelter Network
Drop Off: 1621 W. Walnut, Chicago, IL
Benefits: Residents of Lambs Farm
Pickup: No
Drop Off: Hwy 176 & I94, Libertyville, IL
Benefits: Low-income individuals
Pickup: No
Drop Off: at various locations or Walmart or mail (300 W. 22nd Street, Oakbrook, IL 60523)
Benefits: Mt. Sinai Hospital
Pickup: Large donations only…Call to schedule in advance
Drop Off: 814 W. Diversey, Chicago, IL
Benefits: Victims of domestic violence
Drop Off: By mail
Benefits: People around the world who cannot afford eye care
Drop Off: Bins at local Lenscrafters, Sunglass Hut, Pearle Vision, Target Optical, and Sears Optical stores
Benefits: Homeless
Pickup: No
Drop Off: 1458 S. Canal Chicago, IL
Benefits: Working women on financial assistance
Pickup: No
Drop Off: 312 S. Westmore Rd. Lombard, IL on the 2nd Saturday of the month
Sabra Books
Accepts: Books
Benefits: YOU! They will pay for some books and donate what they do not want to various charitable organizations
Email: Sabrabooks@yahoo.com
Pickup: Yes, minimum pickup 150 books. Based in Naperville, limited coverage area, please email for details.
Sarah’s Circle
Accepts: Toiletries (trial size): toothbrushes/toothpaste, mouthwash, shower caps, women’s razors, shampoos, conditioner, lotions, etc…
Benefits: Homeless women
Phone: 773-728-1991 ext. 301
Pickup: No
Drop Off: 4750 N. Sheridan Road, Suite #220
Share Our Spare
Accepts: New and gently used clothing, toys, and supplies with children ages four and under
Benefits: Chicagoland children in need
Pickup: No
Drop off: 935 W. Chestnut Street on the first Saturday of every month from 1 pm-4 pm.
The Sharing Connection
Accepts: household furniture, baby furniture, and certain appliances in good working condition. No office or exercise equipment.
Benefits: Various community agencies
Phone: 630-971-0565
Pickup: Furniture only
Drop off: 5111 Chase Ave., Downers Grove, IL
The Sports Shed
Accepts: Gently used sporting equipment
Benefits: Sports programs for under-resourced areas
Phone: 773-360-1825
Pick-up: Large donations only. Call to arrange
Drop Off: Various…Far Northern suburbs (See website)
Swap.com
Turn what you have into what you want via swapping
Drop Off: Through the mail
Women’s Club of Evanston – Dreams Delivered
Accepts: Evening wear and accessories
Benefits: Underprivileged girls go to prom
Phone: 847-475-3800 Carol Short
Pickup: No
World Computer Exchange
Accepts: Computers and computer hardware
Benefits: Schools and institutions in developing countries
Pickup: Yes for 8 or more computers only
Drop Off: 9717 S. Damen Ave Chicago, IL
Did I miss any?? Let me know and I will gladly add your organization to this list!!
Salvation Army in Libertyville will not accept books. I also didn’t see if you included the Lions Club who accepts old glasses.
Thanks for the recs Patty! I will look into that!!
Nice………Thanks For Sharing…….
Donate to child in need
Thank you!
Please don’t donate to Goodwill! Just tooo many negative stories abound , and I’ve personally witnessed several. Don’t take my word for it; research it!
Secondly, I highly recommend Restore which supports Habitat for Humanity.
Also, you see unmanned donation boxes in random places. Do your research on them first.
Hi Jo! Thanks for your input! My feeling is that I will give you all the options and you can decide where you are comfortable donating. Goodwill is a business that employs people, so I am never going to say no to listing it as a donation center. I have had students work there when they couldn’t get a job anywhere else. I do love Restore! We donated our old cabinets to them when we remodeled our kitchen. Such a great cause!!
Where can I donate unused photo albums and scrapbook albums (including a few packs of unused photo pages to add extra photos to some albums)? I also have a few binders and photo frames. I would think a nursing home or school could use them, but I can’t seem to find anyplace that seems to want them. Do you have any suggestions within the Chicago area? Please let me know. Thank you.
Wow, thank you so much for posting this amazing list! I can only imagine how much time and effort it took for you to compile, so I really appreciate all your work! Am definitely saving this for future reference.
I’m so happy you found it useful!
What a great list! I’m new to Chicago, so I’m definitely pinning this so I’ll know where to donate what as I unpack and downsize.
So glad to hear!!!
You are so awesome.
thank you!
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