Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I donate usable goods to Goodwill?
- Drop off the items at any of our retail stores. Your donations are tax deductible (if you itemize) and will help people in Frederick and Carroll counties overcome barriers to employment.
- What happens to my donated items?
- Incoming items are screened and sorted by Goodwill employees. Items that are in good-used condition are offered for sale at one of our four retail stores. The profit from items sold goes back into job training for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment in Frederick and Carroll Counties.
- What types of donations are accepted?
- Goodwill accepts new or used clothing, household items, books and small appliances, just to name a few. Please check the list of items we cannot accept on our usable goods donations page (click the "More info" link on that page for the list to appear). We also accept cash donations as well as vehicles (cars, light trucks, boats, airplanes, etc.), real estate, charitable bequests, and other forms of donations. For more information, please call 301-662-0622.
- Why doesn’t Goodwill accept certain items?
- We have to pay for items we cannot sell at a cost of over $1.00 per pound. This takes away from funds that we would normally use to provide employment services for people with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions.
- How do I determine the value of my donation for tax purposes?
- Please see the list of estimated donation values that Goodwill has compiled. This list is also printed on the back of each donation receipt. Note: In order to qualify for a tax deduction, the IRS has stated that donated goods must be in “Good-used condition.”
- Who shops at Goodwill retail stores?
- Goodwill stores are open to anyone looking for quality merchandise at low prices. Some people shop at Goodwill out of necessity, but others visit on a regular basis in search of treasures. You’ll never know when you’ll find an antique or a great piece of furniture that can be repainted or restored to match your décor.
- Why do you charge for donated items?
- We use the profit from our retail stores to support job training programs for people with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions in Frederick and Carroll counties, Maryland. In addition, Goodwill incurs many expenses, such as salaries and benefits, utility bills, gasoline and vehicle maintenance, while transporting, sorting and selling the donated items.
- What is your return policy?
- Our items are sold "as is" and all sales are final.
- Is Goodwill a business or a charity?
- Goodwilll Industries of Monocacy Valley is a charity that runs a business. Goodwill is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that funds its social service programs primarily through money generated from its donated goods business. In 2006, 74% of Goodwill’s revenue came from retail.
- Does Goodwill charge for its services?
- Goodwill employment services are offered free of charge to individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment who do not qualify for funding from any government source. However, Goodwill asks that any individual who may qualify for government funding for our services to apply for funding.
- Are the people who work at Goodwill volunteers?
- No, the people who work at Goodwill's stores and donation centers are employees. An important component of our mission is to provide employment services and some of the employees at Goodwill facilities have been hired through those services.
- How can my business or organization partner with Goodwill?
- Goodwill partners with area businesses and organizations that provide job placement and work with our job coaches to help employees recruited through Goodwill succeed. Partners also provide job development programs and customized training services to their Goodwill-placed employees. In addition, businesses and organizations can contract with Goodwill for custodial services. To learn more about these programs, please contact our workforce development department at 301-662-0622.