Thank you for donating to Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties. The sale of donations in our Goodwill Stores is the primary source of funding for Goodwill’s training programs for people with barriers to employment.
Why can’t Goodwill accept all my items?
We greatly appreciate your desire to donate to Goodwill and know that you may have gone to a lot of trouble to deliver your donation or schedule a home pick-up. Here’s why we can’t accept items like those listed below:
- Goodwill’s goal is to provide jobs, training, and placement services to people facing barriers to employment. We finance these goals through the sale of your gently used clothes and household items. When we receive donations that we are unable to sell, we are forced to pay disposal fees.
- Every truckload of unsellable goods is equal to three days of classroom instruction for someone whose goal is to get and keep a job. By reducing unsellable goods, we increase the revenue we can invest in helping people get back into the workforce.
- It is at the discretion of the Donation Ambassador to determine whether or not we will be able to sell your donated items. We hope you understand why your donation may be declined.
Goodwill must say “No Thank You” to:
- We do not accept large furniture.
- Couches, sofas, futons
- Cribs, strollers, car seats, safety gates, etc. (Reason? Government safety recalls.)
- Anything damaged, stained, soiled or rusting
- Weapons of any kind
- Any liquids, fuels and chemicals
- Medicines and medical equipment
- Tires, batteries or light bulbs
- Building materials, garbage or trash
- Large appliances (washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc.)
- Headboards, water beds, bed pillows, frames and mattresses
- Large office furniture and DIY particle-board furniture
- Pianos and organs
- Anything unhygienic
- Printer inks, toners
- Anything dangerous
These items may only be donated directly to one of our stores:
- Fish tanks
- Snow skis and boots
- Roller blades and roller skates
- Rugs over 5 feet long
- Exercise and sports equipment
- Lava lamps
Where should I take my stuff instead?
These sites can assist you in finding a place to dispose of or donate the materials we can’t accept: