Busted: Goodwill Donation Myths
Have you ever heard a rumor that made you pause before making a donation to a charity of your choice? It’s important you know your act of generosity will make a difference, so we’re here to set the record straight. Today, we’re busting a few myths you might have heard about donating to Goodwill!
Myth #1: Donations end up in landfills.
This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. At Goodwill, we’re committed to diverting items from area landfills. When you make a donation, we sort out items that can be sold in our retail stores. If an item isn’t fit for resale, we do everything we can to ensure it’s recycled. In fact, in 2021, Ohio Valley Goodwill recycled 48.1 million pounds of products!
Myth #2: Only a small percentage of what you donate goes toward funding the mission.
Not true at Ohio Valley Goodwill! As part of the world’s largest and most successful network, Ohio Valley Goodwill focuses on providing job skills training and employment services for people with disabilities, our nation’s veterans, and others facing barriers to employment. In 2021, we served nearly 3,000 people through our programs and services! We couldn’t do this meaningful work without your generous donations.
Whether you donate items you no longer need, shop at our retail stores, or give a monetary donation, you’re supporting Ohio Valley Goodwill’s mission. In 2021, nearly 86 percent of operating revenues went back to the expenses directly related to carrying out our nonprofit mission.
Myth #3: We cannot take donated electronics.
We sometimes hear from people who assume they can’t donate their electronics to Goodwill. That’s simple not true! We’re happy to turn your unwanted gadgets into job training and employment placement services. Each year, we recycle nearly 50,000,000 pounds of e-waste, or electronics that are near or past their useful life.
It’s simple to donate your old electronics, such as flat-screen TVs and flat-screen computer monitors. Just find a Goodwill donation center near you and drop them off! (Be sure to clear your data first, though!)
Myth #4: The only way to donate to Goodwill is at a Donation Center.
You’ve probably donated items to a Goodwill donation center before. Thousands of people do each year! However, it’s not the only way you can support Ohio Valley Goodwill’s mission.
If you have major clean-out on the horizon, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s partnership with College Hunks Hauling Junk allows for items to be taken from your home straight to Goodwill. There is a fee based on the overall amount of items being collected, but by donating to Goodwill you’ll get discount on the hauling service!
Donating a car, boat, or motorcycle to Goodwill is another option that’s often forgotten. Don’t worry if your vehicle no longer runs “” Ohio Valley Goodwill can even have it towed for free! When you donate a car in Cincinnati to Goodwill, your vehicle donation will be sold at our weekly Auto Auction, where the proceeds raised help to support Ohio Valley Goodwill’s vocational services.
Lastly, a monetary donation can easily be made online and directly supports the important vocational services Ohio Valley Goodwill provides to individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans. We are grateful for your financial support any time of year!
Here’s the truth: Your donations make a powerful difference right here in Cincinnati. We hope by busting these myths we give you yet another boost of confidence in supporting Ohio Valley Goodwill’s mission!
