Record Number of Donors Expected

(Middle Tenn.) — For many people, the annual tradition of holiday gift-giving ushers in another ritual: deciding what to do with used items they no longer need.

Between Dec. 26-31, the number of donations received at Goodwill Donation Express Centers skyrockets. Last year, donations of clothing and household goods rose by nearly 50 percent compared to other days of the year. Goodwill’s donation team is gearing up to handle this critically important surge.

Donations fund Goodwill’s mission of providing job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities and others who have trouble finding and keeping jobs. The end-of-year donation rush is prompted in part by people cleaning out their closets, attics and garages to make room for holiday gifts. But many donors also are seeking last-minute tax deductions.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when donating to Goodwill:

• When decluttering your home, consider the One-Year Rule: If you haven’t worn it, used it or played it in one year, it is probably time to donate it.
• Donors wishing to claim tax deductions for their donations can easily do so at mygoodwilldonation.org, or they can request a paper receipt from the attendant when dropping off their donations.
• Prepare an inventory of your items to be donated before going to Goodwill. The IRS allows a deduction for each item, but it is up to the donor to estimate each item’s value.
• Please remove hangers from clothing.
• If you have a single donation worth more than $500, you will need to complete IRS Form 8283. You will also need a qualified written appraisal.
• Be certain you are donating to a legitimate charity. Resources for research include the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office and charity-rating agencies such as GuideStar. Be cautious of any donation bins that don’t clearly state the organization’s mission and contact information as required by law.

Your donation at the end of 2015 will mean a happier new year for someone in need of a job.

For more information on how Goodwill is impacting the lives of others read our 2014 Annual Report.

About Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

For more than 55 years Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has provided job training and job placement free of charge to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment through the sale of donated items. In 2014, Goodwill served 28,159 people in Middle and West Tennessee and placed 9.558 people in jobs. More information about Goodwill’s Career Solutions, retail stores and donation centers can be obtained online at  www.giveit2goodwill.org or by calling 1-800-545-9231

You can avoid the rush by donating before Christmas. There are more than 80 Donations Express Centers (DEC’s) located throughout the 48-county territory, and most are open seven days a week. 

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