Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota is here to serve you. If the answer to your question is not answered below, please contact us. This page contains scroll windows. If you click the question, it will appear at the top of the window on the right. Please select from the list below to quickly scroll down to that section.
How can I find out about your sales and promotions?
If you have email, we suggest you sign up for our retail e-newsletter, Goodwill Guide to Smart Shopping, to get the inside scoop on events and promotions delivered to your email once a month. In addition, check out the Goodwill promotions calendar. You can print the PDF** of the calendar or use the printer friendly button at the top of the page. Visit our Shop page often to get the latest sales news.
We are always hiring in our Goodwill stores. If you’d like to apply for a position at any Goodwill store, visit the store and ask for a retail application. Upon completion a manager will contact you. View our current job openings.
Where are your stores located.
Goodwill/Easter Seals operates Goodwill stores in and around the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota and Hudson, WI., a Goodwill Outlet and two Second Début boutiques. Find a store here.
Are Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota and your Goodwill stores charitable organizations according to the U.S. government?
Yes. Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota operates the stores to raise funds for our charitable mission. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Additionally, we meet and exceed all charitable requirements according to the Charities Review Council.
Are my donations deductible to the maximum allowable amount?
Yes, all types of donations (vehicles, financial contributions and items) to Goodwill/Easter Seals qualify for a charitable contribution deduction on your tax return, but you must follow IRS guidelines and maintain accurate records. As always, we suggest you consult your tax advisor or accountant to maximize the amount you may legally deduct on your tax return. In addition, the IRS has numerous resources to assure you maintain the proper records for tax deductible donations to any charitable organization:
What documentation does the IRA require to deduct my donation on my tax return?
You must have a receipt for a single contribution of any kind valued at $250 or more. This applies to clothing and household items, vehicles, stocks and financial gifts. A canceled check is not considered a receipt.
How do I get a receipt for my donation?
Goodwill stores provide IRS-acceptable receipts at the time of drop-off. If you are not offered one, ask for it. You must write down the estimated cash value for your donation on the receipt. Some suggest maintaining an accurate list of the items donated and the estimated sale value for each item. If you donate a vehicle, a receipt will be provided at donation time or mailed to you with the actual sale price of the vehicle..
Where can I find more details about documenting my charitable donations for tax deduction purposes?
The following summary is provided as a service and should not be considered professional tax or legal advice. Consult your tax advisor for the federal, state and local tax impact of your donation or financial gift.
We actively seek and desire donations of certain types of medical equipment for our free Equipment Loan program. We need non-electric wheelchairs for adults and children. We also accept commodes, walkers, crutches. Learn more:
Are there any types of medical equipment you don’t accept?
Yes, we do not accept electric scooters, electric wheelchairs or beds.
Answers
Can I donate my car with the engine not running or other mechanical problems?
Absolutely. Everything has value! Repairable vehicles are often a great value to someone with mechanical ability. Don’t be afraid to tell us all the issues with your donation. It will not affect our decision to accept your donation. It allows us to be honest with the buyers and to more efficiently process your donation.
What if the tires are flat or the battery is dead?
We can still pick up vehicles with flat tires or dead batteries.
We ask for your keys, title and if you had a loan on the vehicle, a lien release.
I can’t find my title. Can I still donate?
Providing your title at the time you donate helps; however, we are able to obtain a duplicate title for you within a week in most cases. Just indicate this on the donation form when you fill it out, or call 651-285-2507 for more information.
I can’t find the lien card to show that I paid off the loan on my donation. Can I still donate it?
While it makes our job easier if you have the lien card, with your help we can often obtain the lien card from your financial institution. Please call us at 651-285-2507 for details.
What happens to my donation after I donate it?
We hold a vehicle auction every Thursday at 9 a.m. at the 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul Goodwill store location. Often our donors become our buyers! Select to see our current auction.
How do you determine the selling price of my donation?
We research current market conditions and set a price that is appropriate for the condition, make and model of each donation and make sure it is competitively priced. Your donation helps support our mission and we try to get the maximum value out of each donation.
When can I drop my insurance?
You can cancel your insurance on the day we pick up the vehicle.
How can I be assured the title will be transferred properly?
Goodwill is a licensed used motor vehicle dealer in the State of Minnesota and is held to strict standards in terms of how we handle donations. Once we receive your donation, we update the state’s motor vehicle records that inform the state we are in possession of your donation and we are now responsible for it.
Who does the title transfer?
We prepare all the necessary documentation, submit the paperwork and title and verify that the title has been processed by the State of Minnesota.
What happens if I lose my donation receipt?
Just call our office at 651-285-2507. We are happy to assist you!
Do I need to make an appointment to drop off my donations? Do I need an appointment to drop off large furniture items?
No, we accept donations at our Goodwill donation centers, which open when the Goodwill store opens and close one hour before the stores. Before bringing large furniture items, please ensure they are clean and not broken. We reserve the right to refuse donations of large items that we cannot sell in our stores. Learn more about which items we accept at our Goodwill donation centers.
Will you pick up my donations?
We’re sorry, but we do not pick up donations to Goodwill, except for vehicles. However, donating is simple and easy. Just drive through any of our retail store donation centers, except Goodwill Outlet and Second Début boutiques, and our staff will unload it from your vehicle.
Do you have a form I can use to itemize my Goodwill donations for tax purposes?
We do not provide this. However, you may make a list of items donated, brand and estimated used value and attach it to the receipt provided at our drop-off sites. *
How do I know how much my donated items are worth?
Do you have a donation valuation guide for our region to determine Fair Market Value for tax purposes.
Value is dependent on the quality, cleanliness and age of the donated items. Generally, the item's deductible value is much less than you originally paid for it. We would like to refer you to the IRS Publication, "Determining the value of donated items to charities." *
Do you accept appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, washers or dryers?
No. We cannot accept large household appliances.
Do you accept computers, computer monitors or televisions?
We do not currently accept any of these items.
Do you accept microwave ovens, blenders and mixers and other electronic items?
We cannot accept microwave ovens, but we do accept small electronics and countertop appliances in good working condition.
Do you accept unopened or opened cans of paint?
We’re sorry, we cannot accept paint or any chemical item.
Which items do you accept at your stores?
We accept items that we can sell in our stores or online at one of our e-commerce stores. This includes nearly everything except large appliances, computers and chemicals. View a detailed list of items we accept in our stores. Federal law now requires that all donated items be in good condition if you plan to deduct the value of the item on your taxes.
How much of my donation will go to services and how much to administration cost?
We are a 501(c)(3) charity and more than 80 percent of your gift will be used to provide services that help prepare people for work.
How will my gift be used?
Your gift will be used where the greatest need is unless you designate the gift. To learn more about our mission and vision, visit our About us and services pages. Many of our programs have waiting lists, so we have provided a way for you to support those programs. Online gifts may be designated.
Do you have a matching gift program for employers? If so, how does the matching gift program work?
Please request a matching gift form from your employer, complete your part and mail it to us at this address: Development Department Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota 553 Fairview Ave. N. St. Paul, MN 55104
I would like to name Goodwill/Easter Seals in my will; how do I go about doing that?
It is possible to name us in your will. For more information visit our planned giving page.
Should I give now or later through a planned giving option?
If you are in your high-earnings years, writing a check or donating online right now will help us meet immediate needs for scholarships and other job training expenses. Plus, giving money now offers the maximum tax benefits for you and it is the most simple way to give.
If you’re past your prime earning years and/or need to keep your assets and cash flow intact, you may choose to make your gift to us in your will or some other planned giving option. Although we cannot use this gift immediately, it will contribute to the long-term financial stability of Goodwill/Easter Seals. We recommend that you obtain professional help to set up your estate plan gifts to us. For more information visit our planned giving page.
If I want to give assets, what are my options?
Cash gifts are the simplest type of gift for you and for us. However, you do have to draw upon your current cash reserves.
There are a variety of other giving options which can provide tax and other benefits, including gifts of stock or a planned gift, such as retirement assets, making a bequest or charitable gift annuities and trusts.*
FAQs: Financial contributions
This section has answers to questions commonly asked about giving money. Please click on the link below to quickly scroll down or link to the page you need:
* Information on this website and on this page is not intended to provide legal, IRS or tax advice. See your accountant or attorney to determine what planned giving option is best for you. Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota is not liable for any incorrect information published here.
