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Donation Guidelines

Thank you for considering a material donation to Community Forklift! We accept a wide variety of new, gently used, vintage, and distinctive items and we reserve the right to do so on a case by case basis. We are not able to provide a dumpster for rejected items, so please check our Reuse Resources for other options.

Questions? Please contact our Donations Team at Donations@CommunityForklift.org or (301) 985-5180.

Appliances: All appliances should be clean, fully functional with all parts/hardware included, and free of mold, rust, and odor. Refrigerators, ovens, and washers and dryers must be 10 years old or newer. Wall ovens, dishwashers with stainless steel interiors, cooktops, and microwave ovens must be 5 years old or newer. Vent hoods and dishwashers with plastic interiors must be 1 year old or newer. Small household appliances should be clean and in like-new condition. Vintage and high end appliances will be considered on a case by case basis.

Bathtubs: Bathtubs, shower pans, and shower enclosures should be clean and without chips, cracks, scratches, or rust. We are unable to accept hot tubs and jetted tubs.

Cabinets and Bathroom Vanities: All cabinets should be in good reusable condition and free of grease, rodent/pest damage, and mold/water damage. Please leave the doors attached to each cabinet.

Carpet and Rugs: Area rugs should be clean and in good reusable condition, with no rips, tears, stains, or burns. Wall to wall carpet must be new and 10 ft. x 12 ft. or larger in size.

Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans should be fully functional, clean, assembled, and include all hardware.

Countertops: Granite and marble countertops should be 2 ft. x 3 ft. or larger, but no more than 15 sq. ft. Laminate and Corian countertops are accepted on a case by case basis.

Doors: Residential doors should be in good condition without cracks and splitting, water damage, flaking or peeling paint, or modifications. We are unable to accept commercial doors.

Flooring: Solid wood flooring must be in good condition, bundled, and free of nails. Engineered and laminate flooring can be accepted if new and in unopened packages.

Furniture: All furniture will be reviewed and accepted on a case by case basis. Large donations of furniture must be reviewed and assessed prior to drop off or pickup. All items must be new or gently used, complete, unbroken, clean, and ready to use.

Glass and Mirrors: All mirrors should be framed. We are unable to accept glass shelves or loose glass sheets. Plexiglass is accepted. We cannot accept items with broken glass.

HVAC Equipment: Items should be in good working condition and less than 10 years of age. Insulation should be new and in its original packaging.

Hardware: All fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws, nails, etc.) should be in new condition and in their original packaging. Electrical, plumbing, and door hardware should be complete and in new or gently used condition.

Housewares and Artwork: We accept housewares and artwork on a case by case basis and in limited quantities.

Landscaping Materials: Fencing, stone, flower pots, and pavers should be in good usable condition.

Lighting: Residential light fixtures and lamps must be fully functional with all parts included. We cannot accept fluorescent light fixtures and bulbs, or recessed or track lighting.

Lumber and Trim: Lumber and trim should be free of fasteners and at least 5 ft. long. Exceptions may be made for vintage materials.

Masonry: Bricks, blocks, and pavers should be unbroken and mortar free.

Roofing and Gutters: Roofing and gutters should be new and in original packaging.

Shower Doors: Shower doors must be new and in their original box with all hardware included.

Sheet Goods: Drywall should be new. Masonite and plywood should be free of fasteners. All must be at least ½ sheets.

Sinks: Residential kitchen sinks are accepted in good condition. Wall mount bathroom sinks are accepted if complete with brackets. All bathroom vanity tops should include their base cabinet. Utility sinks must be in good condition. We cannot accept undermount and overmount bathroom sinks.

Tile: We accept new, unopened boxes of tile.

Toilets: Toilets must be clean, complete, and low flow (1.6gps or less)

Tools: Hand tools and power tools must be in good working order.

Windows: Modern thermal pane windows accepted in complete, like-new condition. Single pane wood window sashes will be accepted in limited quantities. We cannot accept aluminum storm windows or window screens.

Window Treatments: Blinds and curtain rods should be new, in original packaging. Shutters are acceptable in good condition. We do not accept drapes, curtains, and valances.

ALL DONATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO STAFF APPROVAL.

We do not accept: paints/stains, chemicals, cleaners, pesticides, mattresses, bedding, baby items, baby toys, medical equipment, exercise equipment, radiators, or pool tables.

Items must be in good condition, complete with all parts included, unbroken, clean, assembled, and reusable. Items must be free of grease or stains, odors, rust, mold, mildew, pests, dirt, water damage, and hazards.

Questions? Please contact our Donations Team at Donations@CommunityForklift.org or (301) 985-5180.