Whether you are spring cleaning, moving, or helping a family member downsize, there are many times in your life when you have a lot of things that you no longer need. Instead of taking everything to the dump, or hauling everything to one charity shop, here are some great places for donating conscientiously in Northern Virginia. Organizations are listed by the type of donation that is their primary focus. Click on the name of each organization to go to their donation page.
All Items
The Buy Nothing Project
Who are they? Started by neighbors in Washington state, the Buy Nothing Project creates hyper-local gift economies where neighbors list things they want to give away or ask for things they need. This is primarily organized through Facebook groups or their app.
Who do they support? The goal of the groups is to promote community togetherness and reduce waste by reuse, re-homing items that might otherwise end up in a landfill.
They will take: Anything legal.
They won’t take: Illegal items, money, gift cards.
Aurora Highlands Facebook Group
Clothing
Who are they? An old favorite for good reason, Goodwill is a non-profit and a popular option not just for clothes, but for a variety of household items as well. Be sure that clothing and other items you donate are clean and not torn or broken.
Who do they support? Goodwill provides job training and employment for those with disabilities and disadvantages.
They will take: Clothing, accessories, housewares, electronics, art, furniture, books, video games, DVDs.
Complete list here.They won’t take: Mattresses, Bean bag chairs, sleeper sofas, bed pillows (decorative pillows are fine), building materials, cosmetics and hair products, trash, rags, unusable items.
Complete list here.
For more details, visit their donation page:
Goodwill Donation Guidlines.
Who are they? A local non-profit that works with more than 165 affiliated congregations of diverse faiths.
Who do they support? Interfaith Works provides support and meet the needs of the poor and homeless in Montgomery County, Maryland.
They will take: Gently used clothing, Baby items: diapers, onesies, blankets, burp cloths, diaper bags. They also keep wish lists for needy families.
More details here.
They won’t take: Anything not listed- furniture, housewares, etc.
Who are they? DC local philanthropic organization focusing on job preparation and placement.
Who do they support? Jubilee Jobs provides compassionate, professional job preparation and placement to individuals residing in local, low-income housing programs.
They will take: Used and new interview clothing. For men, they accept dress shirts, ties, slacks, business suits and casual dress shoes. For women, they accept blouses, dark-colored skirts, professional dresses, and casual dress shoes.
They won’t take: Anything not listed- casual clothing, furniture, housewares, etc.
Who are they? Suited for Change is a DC-area, women-led non-profit organization.
Who do they support? Suited for Change’s mission is to equip women in need in the DC community on their path to financial independence by providing them with professional attire, coaching, and skills training.
They will take: Freshly dry-cleaned professional business clothing and high-quality accessories.
They won’t take: Anything else- casual clothing, furniture, housewares, etc.
Furniture
Who are they? The Coalition for the Homeless operates 11 programs at various sites in the DC area that include case management, employment training, housing, job placement assistance, substance abuse counseling, life skills training, substance abuse prevention and social skills development.
Who do they support? The Coalition for the Homeless provides direct supportive services to homeless men and families with children.
They will take: Clothing items, household items in good conditions such as sofas, beds, and dressers.
They won’t take: Used pillows or mattresses.
Will they pick up? Contact them
here to inquire about pickup. They also accept drop-offs at any of their 11 program sites.
Who are they? Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Who do they support? Over the past 30 years, Habitat NOVA has helped low-to-moderate income families achieve the dream of affordable homeownership. They perform site selection/acquisition, coordination of professional services, home construction, mortgage lending and underwriting, as well as family selection.
They will take: Appliances; Bathroom: Toilets, New tubs; Building Materials: Bricks & pavers, Drywall, Siding, Countertops; Electronics: DVD players, Radios, Televisions, Video games; Flooring: New carpet, New hardwood and tiles, Cleaned area rugs; Furniture: Upholstered furniture, Sleeper sofas, Bookcases (assembled), File cabinets, Small computer desks, Tables with chairs; Hardware & Tools: In working order with no rust; HVAC/Plumbing Supplies: Furnaces and Water heaters; Kitchen Cabinetry:Wood only; Must be complete set with all doors attached and undamaged; Lighting: Ceiling fans, Ceiling lights/fixtures, Chandeliers, Table and floor lamps; Lumber: 6 ft. or longer, Unused; Office Furniture: Bookcases, File cabinets, Office chairs; Windows & DoorsThey won’t take: Tube Televisions, Entertainment Centers and Cabinets for tube televisions, Mattresses and Bedding, Upholstered furniture with stains, tears, rips, holes, or pet hair, Most commercial (non–residential) building materials, Paint and chemicals, Baseboard heaters and wall heaters, Garage doors, Baby items, ClothingFull details
here.
Will they pick up? They provide limited, FREE pick-up service for large donations in the Northern Virginia area. Pickups are scheduled Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All items for pick up must be placed curbside, in a driveway, or garage. To schedule a pick-up, please click
here and fill out the online request form.
Who are they? Small community non-profit.
Who do they support? His Hidden Treasures transforms transitional rental housing into homes for families, personalized with lovingly restored furniture and donated store floor samples and new housewares.
They will take: wood furniture, antiques and vintage pieces, household kitchen items, lamps and decor
They won’t take: Used pillows or mattresses.
Will they pick up? E-mail:
[email protected] to coordinate pickup.
Who are they? Homestretch is a non-profit designed to address the root causes of homelessness for each family and reverse it.
Who do they support? The mission of Homestretch is to empower homeless parents with children to attain permanent housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills, knowledge and hope they need to become productive participants in the community.
They will take: cars, computers, household items, and furniture
They won’t take: clothes, used bedding, mattresses
Will they pick up? They will pick up from your location. They collect donations from houses, apartments, and businesses in
Northern Virginia, Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm., call or e-mail to arrange a pick up:
[email protected].
Children/Student Items
Who are they? The Black Student Fund (BSF) is a local DC non-profit organization.
Who do they support? The Black Student Fund (BSF) provides essential advocacy, academic and retention support to academically motivated African American and other underserved students to facilitate their access, admission and successful matriculation and graduation from member schools.
They will take: Children’s books, Toys, Computers & Monitors, Gift Cards, Gently used children’s clothing, School Supplies
They won’t take: Furniture, adult clothing, household goods
Who are they? Founded in 1915 as an orphanage in DC, The National Center for Children and Families is a private, nonprofit child and family welfare agency
.
Who do they support? The NCCF is committed to serving poor, disadvantaged, abused, neglected and/or abandoned children, youth, and their families.
They will take: Gently used and new clothing (all ages), school supplies, unopened hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.), infant supplies (diapers, wipes, powder, lotion, etc.), sheets, pillowcases, mattress pads, blankets, comforters, towels, washcloths, dishes, silverware, glassware, furniture: sofas, chairs, dining tables, bedroom furniture (twin, full, queen only), infant furniture (including cribs-manufactured after 2005, carriages, strollers, high chairs, bassinets)
They won’t take: Used pillows or mattresses.
Will they pick up? Yes, they will pick up furniture. Contact Jermaine Lemons, In-Kind Donations Specialist, at
[email protected] to find out if they can pick up in your area.
Who are they? A public charity based in Northern Virginia
Who do they support? Second Story transforms the lives of children, youth and their families by providing safe havens and opportunities for them to grow and thrive.
They will take: food, clothing, personal hygiene supplies, school supplies and household items
They won’t take: Needs change, so if there is something you want to donate that is not on the list, contact them
here.
Pet Supplies
Who are they? Animal shelter and rescue organization for Arlington.
Who do they support? They work to improve the lives of animals and people by providing resources, care, and protection.
They will take:
- Household Goods: Towels, wash cloths, hand towels, pillow cases, Shoeboxes, Plain non-electric blankets (new or in very good shape)
- Pet Supplies: Animal beds (only those small enough to be washed), Stainless steel or ceramic bowls, Unopened cat or dog food and treats, Hard rubber and nylon toys (not chewed), Dog leashes in good shape, Dog and Cat collars in good shape, Crates in good repair, New Cat litter boxes and Clay, Care Fresh or Non-clumping litter, Plastic or rubber cat toys, Wooden chew items and accessories for rabbits and small rodents (new only), Bird toys and accessories, Cages for birds/ferrets and aquariums in good shape, Hay
- Office Supplies: Clorox Cleaning Wipes, Reams of Colored and White Paper, Pens (blue or black), Video Cameras for animal control trucks, Postage Stamps, Avery Labels
They won’t take: human clothing, household goods, or furniture
If you live in Arlington, Geva and Jane have DeClutter Your Life events throughout the year, where we partner with 123Junk to help our neighbors get rid of unwanted items. Click
here to check our Events calendar to see if there is a DeClutter Your Life event coming up soon. Items gathered at these events are sorted into “donate”, “recycle”, and “dispose” categories to assist local charities and non-profits and reduce waste. If you have any questions about donating in Northern Virginia,
contact Geva & Jane today!
