How Your Thrift Store Purchases Help Non-Profits

When you buy a sweater or a set of dishes at a charity thrift store, the money does more than cover the price tag. Many of the best-known thrift stores are run by non-profit organizations, and the sales fund programs in the same communities where the goods were donated.

Who runs thrift stores

Some of the largest names in thrift are non-profits. Goodwill uses its store revenue to fund job training and employment programs. The Salvation Army supports its rehabilitation and community services. Habitat for Humanity ReStores sell donated furniture, appliances and building materials to help build and repair homes. Many smaller shops are run by hospitals, animal shelters, churches and local charities.

Where the money goes

Each organization uses its revenue differently, so it is worth reading how your local store spends what it earns. Some fund programs directly, while others create jobs inside the store itself, giving people a chance to gain work experience. Local charity shops often support a single cause, such as a food pantry or a shelter, so every purchase stays close to home.

Not every thrift store is a charity

Some second-hand stores are for-profit businesses. They may buy donations from charities or partner with them, but the store itself is not a non-profit. Neither kind of store is bad, and both keep goods in use. If supporting a cause matters to you, look for the organization's name on the sign or ask at the counter.

Donating well

Your donations are part of the cycle. Give items that are clean, working and complete, because stores spend time and money disposing of things they cannot sell. Check your local store's list of accepted items before you drop off furniture, electronics or large appliances, and never leave donations outside after hours, where they can be damaged by weather.

A possible tax benefit

In the United States, donations to qualified charitable organizations may be tax deductible if you itemize deductions. Ask for a receipt when you drop items off, keep a simple list of what you gave and its fair market value, and check current IRS rules or a tax professional for details.

Volunteering

Many charity thrift stores rely on volunteers to sort, price and stock donations. Giving a few hours a month is another way to support the cause, and it is a good way to see how much a community gives and receives through a single store.

Photo: Goodwill Store and Donation Center, Brattleboro, Vermont, by Artaxerxes, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.