Welcome to Goodwill of Southern New England!

Whether you are on the hunt for a unique treasure, looking to give your items a second life, or seeking employment support, we are glad you are here. Your engagement with us drives our mission to foster independence and change lives through the power of work. To assist with your pathfinding, we have compiled answers to the most common questions from our community of shoppers, donors, and partners.

THE THRIFTING EXPERIENCE: FAQ FOR SHOPPERS
What is your return policy?

Because our inventory consists of unique, donated goods, most items are sold AS IS and are Final Sale (no refunds or store credits). This includes all clothing and general merchandise.

Electrical Items Exception: Electrical items may be returned within 24 hours of purchase for store credit only.

Requirements:

  • Must be a Goodwill Rewards member

  • Present a valid ID and original receipt

  • Item must have the original store tag attached

Note: All items purchased during a Super Sunday Sale are Final Sale and cannot be returned.

Do you offer a rewards program?

Yes! Our Goodwill Rewards program offers exclusive perks and rewards. Membership is also required for electrical item returns.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay.

Do you offer any discounts or sales days?

Yes! We have thousands of clearance items available every single day. We do this through our “Color of the Week”—any item tagged with that week’s specific color is 50% off! You can easily find out the current clearance color by checking the signs at your local store or checking our social media.

In addition to our daily clearance, we also offer special discount days for seniors, military personnel, students, and first responders.

Follow @GoodwillSNE on all platforms to keep up-to-date with the latest Color of the Week and upcoming discount days!

Are the items in the store washed before they are sold?

Every item is inspected for quality and cleanliness before it hits the sales floor. However, due to the volume of donations we receive, we do not wash clothing. We recommend washing all clothing and textiles before wearing them.

Can I shop Goodwill of Southern New England online?

Absolutely! You can find some of our most unique treasures from the comfort of your home. Visit our listing pages on ShopGoodwill.com(CT), ShopGoodwill.com(RI), and eBay(CT+RI) to bid on jewelry, collectibles, designer fashion, and more.

How often do you restock the sales floor?

Constantly! Our team processes thousands of donations daily. New items are brought out to the sales floor every single hour, so the selection changes throughout the day.

GIVING GOODS A SECOND LIFE: FAQ FOR DONORS
Do you pick up furniture or large donations?

No, Goodwill of Southern New England does not directly operate a pick-up service, but we have partnered with ReSupply to offer convenient, priority home pickups!

How it works:

  • Service Fee: Because this is a premium service provided by an external partner, ReSupply does charge a fee based on the size of the pickup.

  • Fast & Flexible: Pickups are typically available within 24–48 hours.

  • What They Take: They accept a wide variety of household items and large furniture.

The Impact: The usable items ReSupply collects on our behalf are delivered straight to Goodwill. Your donations still help fund vital job training and employment services right here in your community!

To learn more about pricing or to schedule your priority pickup, please visit this link ReSupply.

Where can I drop off donations myself?

You can donate at any of our attended donation centers or retail stores throughout South-Central and Eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Please visit our Locations page to find the site nearest you, and only drop off items during posted operating hours.

What items do you NOT accept?

While we are incredibly grateful for your donations, safety regulations and handling challenges prevent us from accepting certain items, including:

  • Mattresses and box springs

  • CRT (tube) televisions

  • Cribs and car seats

  • Hazardous materials (chemicals, paint, fuels)

  • Large appliances such as stoves and refrigerators

Are my donations tax-deductible?

Your donations of goods may be tax deductible, depending on your personal tax situation!

Please note that the IRS requires the donor—not the receiving charity—to assign values to donations. When placing a value on your donation, remember to consider the condition, age, and quality of the items you donated.

You can download the IRS rules governing the valuation, substantiation, record keeping, and reporting of donations (IRS Publication 526 and IRS Publication 561) directly from the IRS website. We always recommend consulting a tax advisor to see if your specific situation warrants a deduction.

Is there any paperwork I need to get from Goodwill when I make a non-cash donation?

You aren’t required to get paperwork when you donate, but you should definitely grab a donation receipt if you are planning to claim your donation on your taxes!

When you drop off your items, simply ask the attendant for a receipt, which will include the name of our organization, the date, and the location of your donation.

If you forget to grab one in person—or if you simply prefer a digital option—you can also easily get a donation receipt online through our website! Please keep your records safe, as Goodwill cannot provide duplicate receipts for past drop-offs if your original is lost.

Where does the money go when my donated items are sold?

Goodwill is a non-profit organization. When you donate items, we sell them in our stores. The revenue generated from those sales goes directly into funding our employment and community services programs, helping people with disabilities and other barriers find work and independence.

What happens to items that don’t sell in the store?

We make every effort to recycle and keep items out of local landfills as much as humanly possible!

When items don’t sell in our traditional retail stores, they are given a second chance at our Outlet Store, where they are sold by the pound. Anything that remains after that is sent to responsible recycling partners, ensuring we minimize our environmental footprint every step of the way.

MISSION IN ACTION: FAQ FOR JOB SEEKERS & THE COMMUNITY
How does Goodwill help the community?

Revenue from our stores directly funds employment services and related supports for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment and community inclusion. When you shop or donate, you help neighbors build job skills, enhance independence, and integrate into the community.

I need help finding a job (not at Goodwill). Can you help me?

We offer free employment services through our Power of Work Centers. We can help with resume writing, interview prep, and job placement with various local employers. Visit a Power of Work Center near you to get started.

What are Employment Services?

Our Employment Services are designed to help individuals with disabilities or other barriers find, secure, and maintain meaningful work. We offer personalized, hands-on support that includes skills assessment, resume building, interview preparation, and ongoing job coaching to ensure long-term career success.

To learn more about our specific programs and how we can help you or a loved one reach your career goals, please visit our link to Employment Services Page.

Who Is Eligible For Your Employment Service Programs?

Our services are designed to help anyone facing barriers to employment. This includes individuals with disabilities, people reentering society after incarceration, youth, and those lacking work experience.

What is The Reentry Initiative?

Our Reentry Initiative is a specialized program designed to help justice-involved individuals successfully transition back into the workforce. We provide a supportive, judgment-free environment to help participants overcome employment barriers through job readiness training, career coaching, and job placement support.

To learn more about the specific services offered and how to get involved, please visit our Reentry Initiative Page.

What is “Good Path”?

Good Path is our comprehensive pre-employment training class designed specifically for individuals seeking to enter (or reenter) the workforce following a period of incarceration. It equips participants with the skills and resources needed to secure and retain employment. Contact the Westville program office at (203)772-6602 for more info.

What Are Day and Community Services?

Our Day and Community Services are designed to help individuals with disabilities or other challenges connect with their community, build life skills, and participate in meaningful daily activities. Through social, recreational, and volunteer opportunities, we focus on personal growth, independence, and fostering a strong sense of belonging outside of a traditional work environment.

To learn more about these programs and how to get involved, please visit our link to Day and Community Engagement Services Page.

What Are Engagement Services?

Our Engagement Services are provided at the Taking Initiative Center (TIC) – a drop-in facility in New Haven, CT that provides a safe place for individuals challenged with substance use disorder who are contemplating or are in the early stages of recovery. This inter-agency collaboration offers a variety of onsite resources, including meals, access to showers and laundry facilities, as well as support groups and assistance with or referral to services available in the community.  To learn more about these programs and how to get involved, please visit our link to Engagement Services page.

How do I apply to work at Goodwill?

We are always looking for great team members! Please visit our careers page to view current openings at our stores, donation centers, programs, and corporate office.

Do you offer court-ordered community service hours?

Yes, we often accommodate individuals needing to fulfill community service hours. Please contact the manager at your local store or our volunteer coordinator to see if there is availability and to complete the necessary paperwork.

COLLABORATE FOR GOOD: FAQ FOR PARTNERS & BUSINESSES
I am an employer; how can I hire Individuals from your Employment And training programs?

We can connect you with pre-screened, motivated candidates supported through our employment and training programs. Partnering with Goodwill reduces your recruitment costs and supports the community. Contact our Business Services team to learn more.

We are a local business; can we host a donation drive?

We love partnering with local businesses! hosting a donation drive is a great way to engage your employees and support the community. Please contact our Marketing or Donations department to set up the logistics and get collection bins.

Do you offer corporate volunteer days?

Yes! We offer group volunteer opportunities for companies looking for team-building activities that give back. Groups can help sort donations, organize sales floors, or assist with special events like the Fantasy of Lights.

Who do I contact regarding a marketing or media collaboration?

For press inquiries, brand ambassador partnerships, or media collaborations, please reach out to our Marketing Department viam email at pr@goodwillsne.org.

Let’s Connect!