Where to Donate in Dane County: The Best Donation Centers for Your Gently Used Items
- Junk Jumpers
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Fortunately, Dane County is home to some great donation centers that make it easy to give back. Whether you’ve got clothing, furniture, household items, or tools, these organizations will ensure your donations go to good use.
Here’s a guide to the top donation centers in Dane County—plus what they accept, how much they reuse, and where your items end up.
1.
St. Vincent de Paul – Madison
Website:Â svdpmadison.org
Drop-off locations: Williamson Street (Main), Verona, Stoughton, Odana Road, Sun Prairie, and a dedicated drive-through donation center on Fish Hatchery Road.
St. Vincent de Paul is a Dane County staple. Donations to their thrift stores directly fund local programs—such as housing assistance, food pantries, pharmacy access, and home visit services for families in need.
Impact: According to their 2023 annual report, about 85% of donated goods are resold or reused. Larger items like beds, dressers, or tables can even be picked up for free by scheduling a furniture donation pickup.
Accepted items: Gently used furniture, clothing, electronics, kitchenware, linens, books, and small appliances. No mattresses or broken items.
2.
Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin
Website:Â goodwillscwi.org
Locations: Multiple sites across Madison, Sun Prairie, Middleton, and Fitchburg.
Goodwill is one of the easiest and most accessible donation options in the area. You can drop off your items at a donation door—no appointment needed. Items sold in their thrift stores help fund job training programs and employment services for people with disabilities or other barriers to work.
Impact: Goodwill SCWI says that around 82% of donations are reused, repurposed, or responsibly recycled. Items that don’t sell in-store are often rerouted to outlet stores, sold by the pound, or responsibly recycled.
Accepted items: Clothing, shoes, books, toys, small household goods, some furniture, and home décor. They do not accept large appliances, beds, or anything in poor condition.
3.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore – Madison East & West
Website:Â restoredane.org
Locations: 4207 Monona Dr. (East) and 5906 Odana Rd. (West)
Perfect for contractors, DIYers, or people doing major cleanouts, Habitat’s ReStore accepts building materials, tools, furniture, and working appliances. Items sold here help build and repair affordable homes right here in Dane County.
Impact: About 75% of donations are sold or reused directly. The rest are either responsibly recycled or used in community programs. They also divert tons of material from landfills every year.
Accepted items: Cabinets, doors, windows, lighting, power tools, appliances, furniture, sinks, hardware, and flooring. Call ahead or use their online donation form for large-item pickups.
4.
The Beacon – Homeless Resource Center
Website:Â thebeaconhelps.org
Location: 615 E. Washington Ave., Madison
Operated by Catholic Charities, The Beacon serves over 200 people experiencing homelessness every day. Unlike thrift stores, they don’t resell donations—everything goes directly to people in need.
Impact: 100% of donated items are given directly to individuals or families, particularly those living on the streets or in shelters. They rely on community donations to provide essentials.
Accepted items: New socks and underwear, hygiene products, backpacks, weather-appropriate clothing, boots, and coats. They update their most-needed items list regularly on their website.
5.
Agrace Thrift Stores
Website:Â agrace.org/thrift
Locations: Madison, Janesville, and soon expanding to other cities.
Agrace operates high-quality thrift stores that support its nonprofit hospice and palliative care services. Donations are either sold in their boutique-like stores or offered at reduced prices to patients and their families.
Impact: Agrace reports that about 90% of donated items are resold in-store. Revenue helps fund care for those who can’t afford end-of-life services and supports grief counseling programs.
Accepted items: Home décor, clean clothing, antiques, books, and small furniture. They don’t accept large appliances or anything damaged.
Bonus Option:
Buy Nothing Groups & Local Free Pickup
While not a traditional donation center, Dane County also has an active community of Buy Nothing groups on Facebook and through the BuyNothing app. These are great for giving away odd or unusual items that donation centers may not accept.
Final Thoughts
Donating locally does more than free up space—it helps build a stronger, more sustainable community. Whether you’re handing off an old couch to Habitat ReStore, giving winter gear to The Beacon, or dropping off clothes at Goodwill, your contributions make a real impact.
Here are just a few reasons to consider donation over disposal:
It keeps usable items out of landfills.
It helps your neighbors directly.
It supports vital nonprofit services—from housing to hospice care.
And in many cases, your donation is tax-deductible.
So the next time you’re doing a basement cleanout or clearing a home, think about where your stuff could go. You’re not just getting rid of junk—you’re giving someone else a real opportunity.
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