Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who does Memphis Goodwill employ?

A. In Memphis and north Mississippi, Goodwill employs more than 650 people in our stores, donation centers, and businesses that use Goodwill contract employees. Many of our team members have faced significant barriers to employment, including physical or learning challenges, lack of education, work history, or other challenges that have made it difficult to find and keep a job. Goodwill gives people a chance to be trained, learn job skills, and build better lives. Our business is changing lives!

Q. What is a barrier to employment?

A. At Memphis Goodwill, a barrier is anything that makes it difficult for a person to get a job, including lack of education, age, a long absence from the workplace, lack of a work record, or single head of household. These can also include learning/developmental disabilities, physical and mental challenges.

Q. How do my donations and purchases help?

A. The annual budget to keep Memphis Goodwill programs operating is raised from the sale of donated items. That’s why the donations of generous Mid-Southerners is so important to our local Goodwill. Donations from our neighbors are accepted, then sold to other neighbors who shop at our stores. Those sales revenues are then used to hire even more neighbors, many of whom face barriers to employment. It’s a local non-profit benefitting the neighbors in our own communities.

Also, when you donate, you help to keep millions of pounds of materials out of our local landfills. It’s the “green” thing to do!

Q. Are my donations tax-deductible?

A. Yes! Items donated to Goodwill are always tax-deductible. Donors may get a tax receipt card to itemize their donations every time they drop something off. Goodwill staff cannot assess the value ourselves, but you can refer to general federal guidelines for help.

Q. What items Does Memphis Goodwill accept as donations?

A. We accept gently used:

  • Women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing of all types

  • Shoes, purses, belts, and other clothing accessories

  • Jewelry and watches

  • Furniture

  • Wall art (framed and unframed)

  • Household wares (dishes, glasses, pots & pans, flower arrangements, etc.)

  • Electronics (TVs, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, blenders, toasters, can openers, etc.)

  • Computers and computer accessories (working and non-working)

  • Books, records, CDs, DVDs, tapes

  • Children’s toys, plush items

  • Bed linens, covers, drapes

  • Titled Goods (cars, boats, RVs, etc.)

Q. What items Memphis Goodwill (Cannot) accept as donations?

A. Due to safety issues and other concerns, we do not accept:

  • Mattresses

  • Box springs

  • Paint

  • Food

  • Baby cribs

  • Car seats

  • Strollers

  • Gasoline

  • Fireworks

  • Weapons/ammunition

  • Propane, helium, and oxygen tanks

  • Diabetic supplies

  • Syringes

  • Prescription medication

  • Tires

  • Car batteries

  • Items that are wet, mildewed, rusty, or flammable

  • Older model televisions (big back)

  • Fire extinguishers

  • Gas cans

  • Explosives