Donating your furniture instead of throwing it away is a really good idea, but it can get pretty confusing if you’re new to it. Buzzle tells you how and where you can donate furniture in New York.
Remember!
Please consider donating furniture that is in a decent condition, and don’t expect organizations to accept just about anything you give them! The quality of your used furniture is extremely important.
If you’re considering donating your used furniture, but aren’t exactly sure of how to go about it, you’ve come to the right page! We’re going to try our best to help you get in touch with some really good organizations that will accept your in-kind donations, and then use them to help improve other, less fortunate lives.
In New York City, there is absolutely no dearth of organizations that will gratefully accept your donations, and most will even offer to pick your furniture up from your place, so you won’t have to make a trip to where they’re located.
Why Should You Donate?
This question MIGHT be on someone’s mind if it’s not on yours. “Why should I donate my old furniture? I can just throw it away, right?” Wrong! When you throw your furniture away, it just adds to the landfills, and let’s face it, it’s no friend to the environment. Instead, why not give it to somebody who will make great use of it, who needs it, and who truly appreciates it? You know what they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. We never stop to think about this, but what we think is that waste will seem like precious material to someone less fortunate than us!
So, if your couch, or your TV unit is in a good condition, but you have no use for it anymore, you should definitely consider donating it― you’ll be helping a poor family make their home a little comfortable, and you’ll be helping to save precious landfill space. So? Have we convinced you yet? If we have, read on for a list of these places, along with their contact information, and some details about what they do with your donations.
Where Should You Donate?
Who: Housing Works Thrift Shop
Location: All over New York City
Website: Housing Works Thrift Shop
Housing Works is a large organization that works for people affected by, and living with HIV/AIDS. This organization helps them with health care services, housing resources, counseling, etc. Housing Works Thrift Shop is located all over New York City, and has a free pick-up service available that makes it more convenient for donors to donate their furniture.
Who: Materials For The Arts
Location: 33-00 Northern Boulevard, Long Island City, New York.
Website: MFTA
Materials For The Arts, MFTA for short, is operated by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. MFTA accepts donations of used items from families, offices, and organizations, and further donates them to non-profit organizations, public schools, and government agencies. Though MFTA does not accept large furniture in its warehouse, it does connect you to someone who needs it, thus enabling you to become a direct donor.
Who: Inwood House
Location: 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1504, New York, NY 10038. (administrative office)
Website: Inwood House
Inwood House is one of the premier organizations in New York working tirelessly for teen parents and pregnant teenagers. Inwood House helps these teenagers build good lives through programs that support their education, mental health, personal goals, etc. Visit their website to know more about how you can go about your donations, whom to contact, and if there’s a pick-up service available.
Who: YWCA of Queens
Location: 42-07 Parsons Boulevard, Flushing, Queens, New York.
Website: YWCA of Queens
YWCA of Queens is a non-profit organization that works towards empowering women and eliminating racism. It helps promote peace and a good life for everyone through its educational programs, and other kinds of aid. YWCA of Queens welcomes in-kind donation in the form of office furniture, supplies, as well as anything else that might be useful.
Who: Vintage Thrift
Location: Third Avenue (22nd and 23rd street), New York, NY 10010.
Website: Vintage Thrift
Vintage Thrift is a non-profit Jewish Store that sells everything from clothing, to accessories, to furniture and antiques. Vintage Thrift accepts most donations that are in a good condition, and they have a free pick-up service available especially for furniture donations. The proceeds from its sales are used to benefit the United Jewish Council of the East Side.
Who: Angel Street Thrift Shop
Location: 118 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10111.
Website: Angel Street Thrift Shop
Angel Street Thrift Shop prides itself on providing good quality items to the people of New York City, and using the proceeds to help improve life of those who are victims of substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and other similar problems. Angel Street Thrift Shop welcomes resalable items as donations, and offers a free pick-up service for furniture donations.
Who: Nazareth Housing
Location: 137 E. 2nd Street, Lower Level New York, NY 10009
Website: Nazareth Housing
Nazareth Housing is a non-profit organization that works towards helping low-income individuals and families in New York through its various programs. Nazareth Housing is welcoming furniture donations of items that are in a decent, and reusable state. Pick-ups are available by prior appointment.
Who: The Salvation Army Family Store
Location: 112 Fourth Avenue, New York.
Website: The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army accepts clothing and furniture donations which are further sold by The Salvation Army Family Stores, provided they are in good condition. The proceeds from these sales are used to fund the SA’s adult rehabilitation centers. The Salvation Army also arranges for a pick-up service in case of large donations, with prior notice. It is possible to schedule the pick-up online.
Who: Chabad JCC Queens
Location: 82-52 Abingdon Road, Kew Gardens, NY 11415
Website: Chabad JCC Queens
Chabad JCC Queens is a Jewish organization that as a part of its large agenda, accepts furniture donations which are used to aid the unfortunate and the needy. Chabad JCC believes that through these furniture donation programs, the less fortunate people in society will face less of an economic burden, as will also be able to make the lives of themselves and their families a little more comfortable. Chabad JCC does offer a pick-up service with prior and valid notice.
The Donating Process
- Decide which pieces of furniture you want to donate first, and get their quality checked to see if they’re in a fair condition. Furniture that is too damaged, or is in an unusable state will mostly not be accepted by any organization.
- Browse through the organizations’ websites, make the appropriate phone calls, and ask others for their opinions (only if they have donated furniture before).
- Get in touch with the organization, and decide the date and time of donation well in advance. It is important that both parties are clear about these details. Decide if you want to select their pick-up option, or drop off your furniture yourself.
- Get a receipt that is proof of your donation.
Done! Isn’t it easy to donate furniture in New York? These organizations will eagerly make wonderful use of stuff you thought was useless, isn’t that incredible? Like we said before, you’ll be helping save landfill space, and you’ll be brightening up someone’s life in a way you never imagined. Now, I’m sure you agree that this is just so much better than throwing your furniture away! You’ll receive endless thanks from these hardworking organizations for your contribution. We’re sure donation is going to be an amazing experience! Good luck!