There are many types of donations for non profit organizations that can benefit those charities, the people they serve, the environment, and even you! Read on to learn how to make donations for non profit organizations meaningful and useful.

• Think about how donations of clothing can help others. America donates quite a lot to charity. In 2014, charitable organizations received $358.38 billion. Among those donations for non profit organizations were used clothes and home textiles. Some of these items go directly to those in need. Others are sold to provide revenue for charities that donate food, water, shelter, and blankets to those in need. Some donations of clothing go abroad and provide clothes and even jobs for people in the developing world. Veterans clothing donations go to support America’s warriors and their families.
• Think about how donations for non profit organizations can benefit the environment. Donating clothing and textiles instead of throwing them away means that a lot of junk is kept out of landfills. In 2006 alone, 2.5 billion pounds worth was kept from the landfills. Clothing and textiles that end up in landfills decompose in piles without oxygen. This lack of oxygen changes the way they decompose, leading to the creation of dangerous greenhouse gases. Americans are only managing to recycle or donate 15% of their used clothes, so we could be doing a lot better.
• Think about how donations for non profit organizations can benefit your closet–and your sanity! When you arrange a donation pick up you have an opportunity to clear out your home and declutter your life. If you live in a climate with only one or two seasons, and you or your kids haven’t worn a garment for six months, then you’re likely not going to wear it again. It’s time to send it on to someone who can make good use of it. Since the average person in this country is buying twice as many clothes as 20 years ago, we’ve all got closets, drawers, cupboards, and even basements full of articles we’re not wearing. Minimize your stress and get rid of some of the extra.
• Think about how donations for non profit organizations can benefit your wallet. Some people aren’t aware of this, but used clothes and other household items can be written off on taxes. A coffee maker, for example, can be worth between $4 and $15 depending on the condition and age. A man’s suit or an overcoat is worth around $60 as a write-off. It’s always best to support groups that have official tax-exempt status form the IRS under 501(c) (3), and remember that you’ll need receipts for any write-offs worth more than $250.
• Think about how donations for non profit organizations can inspire others to action. You’re not only encouraging those in need, but you also have an opportunity to inspire others to do some good. When surveyed, 70% of those who use social media say they would respond to a friend’s post about a charitable donation with action of their own. Don’t just make used clothing donations: write and post about it to inspire others to do the same.

There are plenty of good reasons to make donations, whether it’s to help a veteran, reduce your own clutter and stress, ease your tax burden, save the environment, or inspire others to get involved in their own communities. For one or all of these reasons, look for how you can make donations in your area today.