Not all thrift stores are charities. Some thrift stores are operated by for-profit companies, yet they solicit donations under the name of a charity. In these cases, potential donors usually are not informed of the arrangement between the charity and the for-profit company. As little as five percent of the money generated from these donations may actually go to the charity. The for-profit entity may control the entire operation, from solicitation to the resale of goods.

 

Making an informed choice

You can make sure your donations are benefiting the people who need them most by asking a few key questions:

• Will your donation be used to support a cause you believe in?

• What percentage of the revenues generated by your donation will be sold? Or is the store run by a for-profit operation?

• If the store is run by a for-profit, how will your donation help people in need?

If you aren’t satisfied with the answers to any of these questions, consider becoming a regular contributor to Goodwill Industries. When you donate to Goodwill, you help people start new lives of independence by discovering the power of work.

 

*Information provided by Goodwill International Industries Inc. in Rockville, Maryland