How do I donate to the ReStore?
Your donations to the ReStore play a very important role in our mission. Besides all the environmental benefits of keeping usable goods out of our landfills and the benefit of providing home improvement goods at affordable prices, your donations also help raise money to support our mission. There are many, many wonderful places to donate items to locally, so we are always grateful when a neighbor chooses Habitat. Thank you!
What can I donate?
We periodically update our donation guidelines here: habitatcd.org/restore-donation-guidelines. We develop our guidelines based on local demand for certain items and regulatory laws. For example, we do not typically accept outdated media consoles, since the demand is so low.
Ultimately, our donations team members have full authority to accept or reject any items. Additionally, each Habitat for Humanity affiliate serves a certain geographic area. We serve Albany, Rensselaer, and southern Saratoga Counties. If you are not from our service area, we encourage you to reach out to your local Habitat ReStore first (Schenectady, Southern Adirondacks, Hudson, Pittsfield).
How does my donation get to you?
We offer both pickup and drop-off for donations. Either way you choose to donate, you must first check with our donations coordinator.
If you are capable of dropping off items, including unloading any larger items, yourself, you can email donations@habitatcd.org.
For larger items or to donate many items at once, you probably want to schedule a donation pickup. This is also a great option for businesses and organizations looking to donate. Generally, pickups are scheduled out 7-10 days. There is a $25 pickup fee to help us cover the maintenance cost of our trucks. You’ll pay this fee after scheduling your donation.
You can submit your pickup inquiry form at habitatcd.org/request-donation-pickup. It will go right to our donations coordinator, and she will get back to you as soon as possible to coordinate a pickup timeframe that works for everyone.
We are happy to supply a donation tax receipt at your request.
What do you do with my donation?
Most items will go on to our sales floor and initially priced at 50-75% off retail price. Our managers have decades of experience in researching and pricing secondhand items, and they use a combination of factors, including: market value, item condition, collectability, and sentimental value. Many of our donors have chosen to give items with deep sentimental value, such as a passed loved one’s prized dining set.
Your donation might also end up as a direct donation to a neighbor in need. We work with some local organizations to help furnish a new home after situations like a fire or domestic violence. This is done by referral only from certain partnering organizations. If you are in need of furniture assistance, we recommend connecting with your local social service agency.
ReStore sales account for nearly one-quarter of Habitat’s revenue in 2020 (see report)! The proceeds from your donation help us pay for all the infrastructure supporting our work in home construction, homeowner & homebuyer support, and advocacy for affordable housing.