Ways to donate
Everything we accept, and what happens next.
Start with whatever is closest. We will tell you if it belongs somewhere else.
People arrive here with a car that will not start, a house nobody in the family wants to deal with, a collection built over forty years, or a patent sitting in a drawer. The categories below exist to get your enquiry to the person who knows that area, not to make you guess correctly.
Every one of them works the same way. You describe what you have, we tell you within two business days whether we can place it, and if we can, we handle the collection or the transfer and send you the paperwork you need at tax time. Vehicles are towed free anywhere in the country, running or not. For larger lots, property and business‑scale donations we arrange and pay for collection. Small items are usually shipped by the donor, at a cost that is deductible to you — and nothing ships until we have both agreed.
We are selective on purpose. We accept good, modest, sellable donations rather than everything offered, because a thing that cannot be sold or given to someone who needs it costs the charity money to dispose of. If yours is not something we can use, we will say so quickly instead of leaving you waiting.
Tell us what you have
One short form for any category. A real person from our team replies within two business days — no obligation, no pressure.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (888) 228‑7320
Vehicles and vessels
Property
Collections and valuables
Technology and intangibles
The same four steps, whatever you are giving
What changes between categories is who collects it and how the ownership moves. The rest is identical.
1
You tell us what you have
A short form, or a phone call if you would rather talk. Photographs help more than paperwork at this stage.
2
We answer within two business days
A real person, and a straight answer. If we cannot place it we say so rather than leaving you waiting.
3
We arrange collection or transfer
Free towing for vehicles anywhere in the country. Collection arranged and paid for on larger lots and property. Small items are usually shipped by the donor, and nothing ships until we have both agreed.
4
Your paperwork arrives
A receipt when we take possession, and the figures you need at tax time once the donation has been sold or placed.
Questions that come up whatever the category
What if what I have is not on the list?
Ask anyway. The categories cover what we are asked for most, not the limit of what we can place. Describe it on the form or call (888) 228‑7320 and we will tell you honestly whether it is something we can use.
Is donating really free? Are there any costs at all?
Giving Center charges you nothing. Towing for vehicles is covered nationwide, and we arrange and pay for collection on larger lots, property and business‑scale donations. Small items are usually shipped at the donor’s cost, which is itself deductible. The one real expense is set by the IRS, not by us: if you intend to claim more than $5,000 you need a qualified independent appraisal, and because the appraiser has to be independent of the charity we cannot supply or pay for one.
Do you accept everything you are offered?
No. We accept good, modest, sellable donations, and we turn down things that would cost more to move or dispose of than they could ever raise. Being selective is what keeps the money going where it is meant to go.
How soon will somebody get back to me?
Within two business days, from a person rather than an autoresponder. If you would rather not wait, the phones are answered 8am–9pm Monday to Saturday and 8am–4pm on Sunday.
Who ends up with what I donate?
Some donations go directly to a family or an organization that needs that exact thing — a car, a laptop, furniture. Most are sold, and the proceeds fund direct assistance and grants to other 501(c)(3) organizations. Our transparency page sets out how that works.
What paperwork will I get for my taxes?
A receipt at the point we take possession, and then the forms your return needs — for vehicles that is the sale figure in writing, for other property it is the acknowledgment your accountant will ask for. Our tax deduction page explains which form applies at which value.
More on deductions, paperwork and timing — all donor FAQs
Not sure which category fits?
Describe it in your own words. We will work out where it belongs and tell you whether we can take it.