3 Questions to Ask Before Donating to a Thrift Store

There’s nothing like cleaning out your closet to help you feel organized and refreshed. If it’s been a while since you decluttered, the change of seasons is a great time to purge your wardrobe and sort through items to decide what to keep and what to donate.

But before you drop off a bag of gently-used clothing at your local thrift store, keep in mind that not all thrift stores are the same. It’s important to research in advance so you can make an informed and educated decision about where and how you choose to donate. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to make sure your donations have the most impact:

Am I donating to a non-profit charity organization or a for-profit company?

Not all thrift stores are operated for charitable causes. Some thrift stores are owned by for-profit companies and solicit donations on behalf of charity organizations, but they might only give a minimal percentage of their proceeds to the actual charity.

And unfortunately, some for-profit stores even use charity-sounding names when they have no connection to a charity at all. If you want to make sure your donations provide the most benefit to people in need, it’s wise to do some research to find out if a valid non-profit organization operates the thrift store.

Unlike for-profit firms, which operate with the goal of generating revenue for stockholders, non-profits are solely motivated to support their mission. You can use online non-profit databases like GuideStar to find out if a charity is a legitimate, trusted nonprofit organization.

What’s the mission of the organization? Does it align with your values?

If a non-profit organization operates the thrift store, take some time to learn about their charitable mission. What does the organization support? Does it match your values?

The dollars raised from the sale of donated goods in our stores go on to help fund job training and employment services for people with disabilities, our nation’s veterans, and others facing challenges to finding employment.

What happens to your donation?

Finally, it’s important to find out how the thrift stores in Destin, FL will use your donation. What happens after you donate?

Your donations make a difference! Find the donation site nearest you and be sure to view the list of items that can and cannot be accepted before you donate.