Accepts: Sofas, dining sets, dressers, desks, bookshelves, bed frames, tables, chairs, cabinets, shelving units and other household furniture in good, clean, functional condition. Also accepts building materials, tools, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, doors, windows and hardware.

Pickup: Free pickup available for larger items. Schedule online or by phone. Pickup is typically within 3 to 7 business days depending on demand.

Drop-off: ReStore locations in Markham (7750 Birchmount Road) and across the GTA. Check their website for current hours.

Tax receipt: Yes. Habitat for Humanity is a registered charity and issues tax receipts for all accepted donations.

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Accepts: Furniture, clothing, household goods, small appliances, kitchenware, books, toys and sporting goods in good condition. One of the broadest acceptance policies among local charities.

Pickup: Free pickup for furniture and large items. Schedule through their donation hotline or online portal. Wait times vary by season (spring and summer are busiest due to moving season).

Drop-off: Thrift store locations across York Region. Check their website for the nearest drop-off point.

Tax receipt: Yes. Registered charity. Tax receipts issued for donations valued over a minimum threshold (typically $20+).

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Accepts: Clothing, shoes, accessories, household textiles (towels, sheets, curtains), small household items and small furniture pieces. Primarily known for clothing donations but accepts a broader range than most people realize.

Pickup: Free curbside pickup. Schedule online at their website. They provide donation bags and pick up from your doorstep. One of the most convenient options for clothing and textile donations.

Tax receipt: Yes. Registered charity. Tax receipts available for qualifying donations.

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Accepts: Clothing, shoes, accessories, books, household goods, small furniture, kitchenware, electronics in working condition, toys, games, CDs, DVDs and home decor.

Pickup: No home pickup service. Drop-off only at their store and donation centre locations. Markham has a Goodwill location. Check their website for hours and drop-off procedures.

Tax receipt: Yes. Goodwill Industries is a registered charity and issues tax receipts.

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The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Diabetes Canada and local family shelters all accept clean clothing in wearable condition. Wash and fold items before donating. Bag them in clear or labelled bags. Seasonal clothing is accepted year-round (shelters distribute seasonally). Designer and high-quality clothing in excellent condition can also be consigned at local consignment shops for resale, which puts money back in your pocket.

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Stained, torn or worn-out clothing and textiles that are not suitable for wearing can still be recycled. Textile recycling bins are available at many community centres, grocery store parking lots and retail locations throughout Richmond Hill and Markham. These textiles are recycled into rags, insulation and other materials rather than going to landfill. Do not put worn-out textiles in a charity donation bin as the charity will have to pay to dispose of them.

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Animal shelters and rescue organizations in York Region accept used towels, blankets, sheets and pet beds for animal bedding. The items do not need to be in perfect condition (minor wear is fine) but should be clean. Contact the York Region Animal Services shelter or local rescue organizations to confirm what they are currently accepting. This is a great option for textiles that are too worn for human use but still functional.

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Complete or partial dish sets, pots, pans, baking dishes, glassware, cutlery, serving platters and kitchen utensils in good condition are always in demand at Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore and local shelters. Pack breakable items carefully in boxes with newspaper or bubble wrap. Label the box "kitchen" so the charity can sort it efficiently. Chipped, cracked or stained items should not be donated.

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Working toasters, blenders, coffee makers, stand mixers, food processors, microwaves and other small appliances are accepted by most charities. The key word is working. Test the appliance before donating. If it does not turn on or function properly, it is not a donation. Non-working appliances with electronic components should be taken to an e-waste recycling location (Best Buy, Staples or a York Region Community Environmental Centre).

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Richmond Hill Public Library and Markham Public Library accept book donations for their annual book sales. Drop off during library hours. Most charity thrift stores (Salvation Army, Goodwill) also accept books. For large collections, consider listing on local buy-nothing or free groups on social media where avid readers will pick up directly. Textbooks can be donated to university or college campus exchanges.

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Clean toys in working condition with all pieces intact are accepted by the Salvation Army, Goodwill and local family shelters. Board games and puzzles should have all pieces (incomplete sets are frustrating to receive and usually get discarded). Stuffed animals in excellent, clean condition are accepted by some shelters. Battery-operated toys should include batteries or be clearly labelled that batteries are not included.

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Bikes, skis, skates, hockey equipment, golf clubs, tennis rackets, soccer balls and other sporting goods in usable condition can be donated to Play It Again Sports (consignment, you receive payment if they sell), the Salvation Army, Goodwill or community sports programs. Schools and community centres in Richmond Hill and Markham sometimes run equipment drives. Large exercise equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, weight benches) can be donated to Habitat for Humanity ReStore or listed on local buy-nothing groups for free pickup.

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Working laptops, tablets and phones: Organizations like Computers for Success and local school programs accept working devices. Wipe all personal data before donating (factory reset). Chargers and accessories should be included.

Working TVs and monitors: Goodwill and the Salvation Army accept flat-screen TVs in working condition. CRT (tube) televisions are generally not accepted by charities and must go to e-waste recycling.

Non-working electronics: Do not donate broken electronics. They are e-waste and must be disposed of properly at Best Buy, Staples or a York Region Community Environmental Centre. My keep, donate, dump and dispose guide covers proper disposal for every category.

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Most charities in Ontario do not accept used mattresses due to bed bug and hygiene concerns. Some shelters accept mattresses in specific circumstances (new or near-new condition with tags still attached). In general, mattresses go to curbside bulk pickup or a transfer station. Do not leave mattresses at a charity drop-off location without confirming they accept them.

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Sofas and chairs with stains, pet damage, tears, broken frames, sagging cushions or odours will be rejected by charities. They cost the charity money to dispose of. If the upholstery is damaged, it is a dump item (curbside bulk pickup or transfer station), not a donation.

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Paint, chemicals, cleaning products, motor oil, gasoline, propane tanks, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent bulbs and medications are never accepted by donation centres. These require proper disposal at a York Region Household Hazardous Waste Depot. Dropping hazardous items at a charity location is illegal and puts charity workers at risk.

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Expired car seats, cribs that do not meet current safety standards, bike helmets that have been in a crash and other safety equipment with expiry dates or damage should never be donated. They pose a safety risk to the next user. Check expiry dates and current safety standards before donating any child safety equipment. Expired car seats can be recycled at some municipal programs or should be disposed of at a transfer station.

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Most charities do not accept large appliances (fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers) due to transportation and testing requirements. Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the exception and accepts working large appliances with free pickup. For non-working appliances, especially those with refrigerants (fridges, freezers, air conditioners), proper disposal through York Region is required.

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Registered charities (Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Diabetes Canada, Goodwill) issue tax receipts for donations of goods. The receipt is based on the estimated fair market value of the donated items, not the original purchase price. To get a receipt, ask at the time of donation. Some charities require a minimum value (typically $20) to issue a receipt.

How to document: Before donating, photograph the items and create a list with descriptions and estimated fair market values (what the item would sell for at a garage sale or thrift store, not what you paid). Keep this list with your tax records. The charity may provide their own valuation or ask you to assign values.

For large donations (full-house downsizing can easily produce $2,000 to $5,000+ in donatable items), the tax credit can offset a meaningful portion of your moving costs. Consult your accountant for the specific tax benefit in your situation.

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