Need to get rid of old, outdated, or unnecessary office furniture? Whether moving, downsizing, or remodeling your workspace, donating office furniture to a charity or nonprofit is a great way to give back to your community and environment while reaping potential tax rewards. At Teammates, we have experienced the impact of furniture donations firsthand. We donate furniture to several local organizations in our Denver area, including Mercy Housing and a local school district.
From local organizations to national distribution centers, many charities gladly accept gently used office furniture, including chairs, desks, tables, filing cabinets, and cubicle walls. Some may reuse or recycle these donated items, while others may resell them and use the proceeds to fund charitable efforts. Many will even pick up the furniture, saving you the hassle of hauling it to a donation center or landfill.
Perks of Office Furniture Donations
Though they may seem like an afterthought, office furniture donations to nonprofits and charities are a good move for companies for several reasons, some of the benefits include:
Community Impact
By supporting organizations that need furniture, such as schools, libraries, community centers, homeless shelters, and the like, you can demonstrate your commitment to the community and positively enhance your corporate image. This also frees up resources for these organizations so they can spend more of their budget on helping others and fulfilling their philanthropic goals.
Eco-friendly Disposal
Office furniture donations reduce your carbon footprint — and that of the charities you support — by extending the furniture’s lifespan and minimizing landfill and greenhouse gas emissions. Not only does this save money in disposal costs and storage fees, but it may also help you avoid regulations throughout cities and states for breaking down and disposing of furniture, particularly pieces with metal or electronic components.
Tax Deductions
Donating furniture may also qualify you for a tax deduction if the donation is made to a qualified charity or nonprofit, such as a church, school, or 501(c)(3) organization. If so, the amount will be based on the “fair market value” of your furniture. Keep your donation receipt and obtain a professional appraisal for donations over $5,000.
Choosing Where To Donate Office Furniture To Charity
You may already know of an organization you would like to donate your unwanted furniture to — but if not, plenty of nonprofits could repurpose, recycle, or resell it to help communities in need. Some of these include:
- IRN Surplus: Connects charities and nonprofits with furniture surplus to businesses, colleges, and schools and moves and ships items to those who can reuse them.
- The Furniture Trust: Distributes unwanted furniture to schools and nonprofits with the goal of maximizing their value.
- Goodwill Industries: Resells items donated by individuals and businesses to help fund vocational courses and opportunities for those needing employment.
If you want to donate locally, you can also search for agencies in your area that accept donations and choose one that suits your needs. Check the IRS database to ensure the agency you pick is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization. Make sure any furniture you donate is in reasonably good condition and still functions safely and properly. Worn-down upholstery and scratches may be okay, but rickety chairs or falling-apart pieces are unacceptable. Many organizations offer complimentary pickup for furniture placed in a lobby or reception area — just make sure to schedule your desired pickup a few weeks in advance.
Some furniture manufacturers provide turnkey services to help companies identify where they can donate and recycle furniture. For example, Teknion’s Divert program helps customers divert furniture and other assets they no longer need from the landfill by providing them with opportunities to sell, donate, or recycle unwanted furniture. It taps into a network of vetted and registered nonprofits to find potential matches for furniture donations and aims to donate items within 30 miles of the decommissioning site. The program also helps manage the donation process and provides tracking and reporting on the social and environmental impact of each donation.
Teammates Commercial Interiors is a locally owned commercial office furniture dealer that services nationwide. Book a tour of our showroom for a complimentary design consultation.
