When deciding what to donate, remember to make sure the items are in clean, usable and working condition. Contact the charity before you donate, as many have strict protocols that needs to be followed. For example, some organizations do not accept drop offs or may only have certain hours in which their donation centers operate. Ask if they offer pick up services for donations. This can save you time and energy.

Not only does your donation help others, it may also be tax deductible.

• For donations more then $250, you will need a receipt or other written proof of your donation in order to claim it on your taxes. Items that are very expensive may also require additional paperwork, so be sure to ask your financial advisor or accountant.
• Make sure you know an estimated value for your item, as you may need to provide details on exactly what items were donated.
• Ask the organization ahead of time whether the donation is tax deductible. Some organizations you may think are not-for-profit may not actually qualify for tax exemption.

If you are merely selling your items to get rid of them rather than to make a profit, you may want to consider selling it and donating the profits directly to the charity - or even just a portion of the profits. If you plan on donating the proceeds, tell the buyer because they may be willing to spend a little more money if they know it's going to a good cause.

A great way to find a charity you may want to donate your items to is by visiting http://www.charitynavigator.org/ for a detailed list of charities, what they do and what types of donations they accept. You can search charities in this database by their regions or categories. Some other organizations you may want to consider donating to are schools, churches, nursing homes, YMCAs, social service organizations, libraries… the list runs on and on. Be creative and think of who might benefit from your unwanted items.

Donations are not just limited to traditional items. In addition to clothes, furniture and toys, you can also donate other items such as books, entertainment items, electronics, appliances and office products.