What Does Goodwill Take?
Wondering what you can donate to Goodwill? You're not alone.
One of the most common questions we receive at Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago is, "What does Goodwill take?" Whether you're cleaning out a closet, downsizing your home or making room for something new, donating gently used items is an easy way to reduce waste while supporting your local community.
The good news is that Goodwill accepts a wide variety of gently used items—from clothing and shoes to books, electronics, home décor and more.
Every donation helps fund job training, career coaching, employment services and community programs throughout greater Milwaukee & Chicago. Your donations don't just find a second home—they help create new opportunities for people in our communities.
What Can You Donate to Goodwill?
If you've ever wondered what you can donate to Goodwill or what items Goodwill accepts, the answer may surprise you. Every day, Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago accepts donations from generous community members .
Below are some of the most commonly donated items.
Clothing & Accessories
One of our most popular donation categories is clothing.
Does Goodwill take clothes?
Yes! We gladly accept gently used clothing for adults and children, including:
- Shirts
- Pants
- Dresses
- Jackets
- Coats
- Sweaters
- Activewear
- Sleepwear
Looking for where to donate gently used coats or winter clothing? Goodwill accepts seasonal clothing year-round, provided it's clean and in good, wearable condition.
Does Goodwill take shoes?
Absolutely! We accept gently used:
- Athletic shoes
- Boots
- Sandals
- Dress shoes
Does Goodwill take purses, handbags and jewelry?
Yes! Accessories are always welcome, including:
- Handbags
- Wallets
- Jewelry
- Belts
- Hats
- Scarves
- Ties
Furniture & Household Items
Does Goodwill take furniture?
Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago does not directly accept furniture donations at our stores or donation centers. However, if you're donating furniture along with other household items, you can schedule a convenient home pickup through one of our trusted donation partners.
Through our partnerships with ReSupply and Chicago Furniture Bank, qualifying furniture donations can be picked up from your home. Furniture donated through our pickup partners is directed to local nonprofit organizations that can put those items to good use. Any accompanying items accepted by Goodwill—such as clothing, books, electronics or housewares—help fund Goodwill's mission of job training and employment services.
What furniture can be included in a scheduled pickup?
Depending on the pickup partner and the condition of your items, you may be able to include:
- Chairs, stools and couches
- Tables
- Dressers and bookcases
- Desks and office furniture
- Mattresses and bed frames (where accepted by the pickup partner)
- Pianos and other large household items
Your pickup partner will determine which items they can accept and ensure eligible furniture is donated to organizations that can use it.
Does Goodwill pick up furniture?
Goodwill partners with ReSupply and Chicago Furniture Bank to offer convenient pickup options for qualifying furniture donations.
If you have large household items to donate, you can schedule a pickup through ReSupply or Chicago Furniture Bank. These partners make it easy to donate furniture from your home while helping keep usable items out of landfills and supporting local nonprofits. If your pickup also includes items accepted by Goodwill, those donations will help fund Goodwill's mission programs.
How do I schedule a furniture pickup?
Visit our Schedule a Pickup page to learn more about our pickup partners, review eligibility requirements and schedule your donation. Whether you're donating a couch, dining table, dresser or multiple household items, our partners make the process simple and convenient.
Does Goodwill take rugs?
Clean area rugs may be accepted. Please review our Donation Guidelines or contact your local donation center before donating oversized home goods.
Does Goodwill take dishes and kitchenware?
Absolutely.
We welcome:
- Plates
- Bowls
- Glasses
- Mugs
- Pots & pans
- Serving dishes
- Small kitchen appliances
Please package fragile items carefully.
Electronics
Does Goodwill take electronics?
Yes! Many electronics are accepted if they are clean and in working condition. Please remove any personal information from computers, phones or other electronic devices before donating.
Examples include:
- Computers
- Laptops
- Speakers
- DVD players
- Gaming systems
- Small appliances
- Computer accessories
Does Goodwill take TVs?
Television acceptance varies by location. Please review our Donation Guidelines or contact your nearest donation center before donating a TV.
Does Goodwill take printers?
Yes! Printers and many computer accessories are accepted if they're in good working condition.
Books, Media & Entertainment
Does Goodwill take books?
Yes!
We gladly accept:
- Hardcover books
- Paperbacks
- Children's books
- Cookbooks
- Coffee table books
Does Goodwill take DVDs, CDs and vinyl records?
Yes!
We also accept:
- DVDs
- Blu-rays
- CDs
- Vinyl records
- Board games
- Puzzles
Toys & Children's Items
Does Goodwill take toys?
Absolutely!
We welcome:
- Action figures
- Dolls
- Stuffed animals
- Educational toys
- Building blocks
- Games
- Puzzles
Please make sure donated toys are clean and include all major pieces.
What Items Does Goodwill Not Accept?
While Goodwill accepts many donated items, there are certain things we cannot accept due to safety, environmental or regulatory requirements.
These may include:
- Hazardous materials
- Paint
- Chemicals
- Certain large appliances
- Recalled products
- Heavily damaged or moldy items
For the most up-to-date list of accepted and non-accepted items, please review our Donation Guidelines before visiting your nearest donation center.
How Does Donating to Goodwill Work?
Donating is simple!
- Gather your clean, gently used items.
- Visit your nearest Goodwill donation center.
- A team member will gladly accept your donations.
- Receive a donation receipt if you'd like one for tax purposes.
- Your donated items are sorted, prepared for resale and sold in our retail stores to help fund Goodwill's mission.
It's a simple process that creates a lasting impact.
Does Goodwill Pick Up Donations?
For qualifying large donations, Goodwill offers residential donation pickup in select service areas.
Pickup availability varies depending on your location and the size of your donation.
Visit our donation page or find your local Goodwill to learn whether pickup is available in your area.
Tips Before You Donate
Help your donation make the biggest impact:
- Wash clothing before donating.
- Test electronics whenever possible.
- Wipe down household goods.
- Keep matching items together.
- Package fragile items carefully.
- Review donation guidelines before visiting.
These simple steps help us process donations efficiently and get quality items onto our sales floor faster.
Every Donation Makes a Difference
Every donation supports much more than our retail stores.
When you donate to Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago, you're helping:
- Fund job training and career coaching.
- Support workforce development programs.
- Create employment opportunities.
- Keep reusable items out of landfills.
- Provide affordable shopping opportunities throughout our communities.
Every donation creates opportunity—and every item donated helps write someone's next success story.
Ready to Donate?
Whether you're donating a bag of clothing, a box of books or several household items, your generosity helps strengthen our communities while giving gently used items a second life. If you're including furniture, learn more about our pickup partners and available services.
Find your nearest Goodwill donation center, review our donation guidelines or learn more about donation pickup services to get started.
Thank you for helping every donation make a difference.
Frequently Asked Donation Questions
Can I get a donation receipt?
Yes! Donation receipts are available upon request.
Does Goodwill recycle donated items?
Whenever possible, donated items are resold or reused. Items that cannot be sold may be responsibly recycled through Goodwill's recycling partners.
Where can I find a donation center near me?
Visit our Donation Center Locator to find the Goodwill location closest to you.
I'm still not sure if my item can be donated.
If you have questions about a specific item, contact your nearest Goodwill donation center before making your trip. Our team is happy to help.
This post is an updated version of a blog originally published in April 2025.