If you have a lot of extra things around your home that you simply don’t need anymore, you may have already considered donating them to a charity instead of simply throwing them away in the trash. Donating your used items is a great way to help others, but it can also be the perfect way to reap some extra savings by writing off your donations on your tax returns at the end of the year, so it’s really a win-win situation for everyone involved.
But when it comes to donating household items, there are some things that you need to keep in mind in order to ensure that you go about it properly. Continue reading for the list of dos and don’ts that you should be aware of the next time you plan on making a donation.
Do Give Items That Can Still Be Used and Worn
The last thing you want to do is donate a household item that no longer functions or that cannot be worn. For example, if you have an old pair of sneakers that you want to get rid of, make sure that they’re still in decent shape and not too worn. Before donating any clothing, make sure that it has been thoroughly washed or dry-cleaned first. Test any appliances or gadgets to make sure that they still operate before donating them, unless the charity specifies that they’ll take old devices, such as computers, and repair them if they don’t work.
Don’t Just Drop Off the Items Outside a Charity’s Door
When you’re ready to give your items away, after testing them to see if they’re still in decent shape and after you’ve cleaned them properly, make sure you speak with a charity representative when dropping them off. This means that leaving a box or bag full of items outside of a charity center’s door is never a good idea. Besides, if you don’t speak with someone, you’ll be unable to get the receipt you need to write off your donation on your tax forms.
Do Make Sure to Include All Necessary Pieces of Donated Goods
If you’re donating toys or other items that come with various parts, make sure that everything needed to properly operate and enjoy the items is included. The last thing you want to do is donate a game to a children’s charity with missing pieces that renders it useless.
Don’t Simply Donate to Any Old Charity
Do your research before making a donation. Not every charity out there is legitimate, and many people take advantage of others, including the poor and those who wish to help. For example, you may begin with a search online that will help you figure out how to donate a boat to charity, but then you should talk to a representative from an organization and find out what they do every day to help others. You want to be able to access their mission and vision statements easily, and you should be able to have someone tell you what they’ll do with your donated items. If you cannot get clear information from a charity, look elsewhere, and go with a group that you know is respectable and trustworthy.
Sarah Marshall is a freelance writer and blogger who has done a lot of research into different charities that she can donate money and used items to. It always feels good to give back rather than add to the trash in landfills. One organization that she highly respects is boatangel.org.
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