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FAQs
A furniture bank is a non-profit organization that collects gently used home furnishings from the general public, then donates them to families in need, such as mothers and children escaping domestic violence, victims of natural disasters, formerly homeless people moving back into housing, people living with physical or mental disabilities and working families living below the poverty line. While furniture banks vary greatly in structure, most are a hub for social service agencies in their local community, providing household furnishings for the clients of their collaborative partner agencies. Furniture banks serve from just a few to over 200 agencies in their community. What is the mission of the National Furniture Bank Association? The mission of the NFBA is to open new furniture banks and to increase the service capacity of existing furniture banks. We open new furniture banks by providing free guidance and expertise to individuals, community groups, and other interested parties to start their own local service. The NFBA increases the service capacity of existing furniture banks by acting as a central point for bulk donations of furniture from hotels, furniture companies, and colleges and universities. To make a donation to a furniture bank, please enter your zip code on our Find a Furniture Bank page to see if there is one in your area. Each furniture bank operates independently, and donation and pickup requirements vary from bank to bank. If there is no local furniture bank, please contact Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries to see if they can accept your donation. What items do furniture banks accept? Furniture banks operate independently and the items they will accept vary from bank to bank. Generally, furniture banks will accept any furniture items that a family would need to begin again. Beds, dressers, nightstands, tables, chairs, sofas, and lamps are all necessary items for families starting over. If you would like to receive furniture, please enter your zip code to see if there is a local furniture bank. Each furniture bank operates independently and requirements for receiving services vary from bank to bank. If there is no local furniture bank available to you, please contact your local government department of social services. Is the National Furniture Bank Association a non-profit organization? Yes, the NFBA is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) the IRS code. All donations to the NFBA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Check with your tax professional for details. Are NFBA member furniture bank tax exempt organizations? All members of the NFBA are tax-exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) the IRS code. All cash and furniture donations to member furniture banks are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Check with your tax professional for details.
There are over 60 furniture banks in America. The NFBA is working with many other individuals and organizations to open furniture banks across the country. Contact us if you or an organization to which you belong would like to learn how to open a furniture bank in your town. I run a trucking company. How do I get involved? The NFBA often gets opportunities for donations in locations where there are no furniture banks. One of the biggest problems the NFBA faces is the transportation of those donations to the nearest furniture bank. If you can donate tax deductible transport utilizing an empty backhaul or by an outright donation of trucking, please contact Tom Polk,VP for Charitable Services to arrange the trucking donation. He can be reached at 877-373-2835 or by email at TPolk@nationalfurniturebank.org. The NFBA has been endorsed by the American Hotel and Lodging Association and we will be glad to assist you. Please contact Tom Polk, VP for Charitable Services to arrange the donation. He can be reached at 877-373-2835 or by email at TPolk@nationalfurniturebank.org. How can I make a financial contribution? Please write your check to the NFBA PO Box 2902 Decatur, Ga. 30030 |