Besides helping worthy organizations, giving to nonprofits saves you money on your tax returns if you itemize the deductions properly. To avoid the mistake of under- or overvaluing your donations, read the guidelines in IRS Publication 561 (www.irs.gov).







Appliances & Furniture

• Goodwill (www.goodwill.org) and The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.com) still offer to pick up from your home. If you're willing to deliver the goods yourself local churches, synagogues, homeless shelters, schools, senior centers, and theater companies (think props!) may want your old artwork, books, CDs, videos, computers, furniture, rugs, and kitchenware.
• The National Furniture Bank Association (www.thenfba.org) routes your donated furniture, and sometimes kitchenware, to the Partnership for the Homeless and other nonprofits that help people set up households. Donors pay for removal.
• The Donation Center at www.geappliances.com lists national charities willing to cart away old models, free of charge, as long as they're in working order.