Frequently Asked Questions

What sort of things are you looking for?

Our clients are homeless families moving into small apartments with nothing. We need basic apartment furnishings. We always need dressers, kitchen and dining room tables, and beds of all sizes. We also take couches and armchairs, buffets and sideboards, shelving units, wardrobes, lamps, small appliances like microwave ovens and toaster ovens, dishes, pots and pans, bedding and linens, curtains, coffee tables, end tables, night tables, computers, TVs, area rugs, and other household and kitchen items.

We will accept only items that are gently used and suitable for our clients. Our driver will make the final decision on whether or not to pick up any particular item.

What don’t you take?

We cannot use and will not accept these items:

Clothing, books, toys
Major appliances (stove, fridge, dishwasher, etc.)
Office furniture, metal desks, filing cabinets
Four-seater couches
King-size beds
Futons without a frame
Stacking chairs
Floor model TVs and stereos
Ikea furniture & shelving unless assembled and sturdy
Metal shelving
Hospital beds and equipment
Exercise equipment
Pianos, organs
Barbecues
Steel spring beds, foldaway beds
Window blinds
Broadloom
Plastic lawn furniture

What do you do with the furniture?

We give almost all of the furniture to homeless families moving out of shelters. We do not charge for the furniture, although we do offer a delivery service for a fee. We also sell some of the furniture in order to help support our charitable operations. The items we sell are mostly surplus, oversized, or otherwise unsuitable for our clients.

What about a financial donation?

Financial donations are greatly appreciated. We rely on your generosity to support our charitable activities. We give tax receipts for donations of $25 or more.

Can I get a tax receipt for my furniture?

We will provide "in-kind" tax receipts for the value of your furniture upon request. To do this, we must evaluate the "fair market value" of the furniture at the time it is donated. Please be aware that this value will probably be a small fraction of what you paid for the item.

Revenue Canada defines “fair market value” as follows:

“Fair market value (FMV) is not defined in the Income Tax Act. The FMV is generally the highest price, expressed in a dollar amount, that the property would bring in an open and unrestricted market between a willing buyer and a willing seller who are both knowledgeable, informed, and prudent, and who are acting independently of each other.”

Furniture Bank does not have the capacity to evaluate items individually. We will assign your donated items a standard value according to the attached list. If you believe this standard value does not accurately reflect the value of your donation and you would like a tax receipt for a higher amount, we will require a certificate of evaluation from an independent professional appraiser.

If you want a tax receipt for the value of your furniture, please let us know at the time you arrange the pickup or dropoff of the items. Be sure we have your correct mailing address!

For more information, please contact:
TaxReceipts@FurnitureBank.org

When do I get my tax receipt?

Tax receipts are issued and mailed out from time to time throughout the year. Please be aware that this work is done by volunteers, and we cannot guarantee that you will get your tax receipt before February. Thank you for your understanding!

Who do I make my cheque out to?

Make cheques payable to “Furniture Bank”. You can give cheques or cash to the driver.

If you prefer to mail your cheque, send it to this address:

Furniture Bank
200 Madison Avenue
Toronto ON M4V 2W6

Make sure we get your new mailing address so we can send you a tax receipt later in the year!

Where and when can I drop off furniture?

We are located at 200 Madison Avenue, one block north of Dupont Street (north of the tracks) and one block east of Spadina road.

From Dupont and Spadina (Dupont subway station), go north one block on Spadina Road, under the tracks, and turn right on MacPherson.

Please bring dropoffs to our Shipping & Receiving door on Madison Avenue at the north end of the building.

We accept drop-offs without an appointment between 9 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday, and from 9 am to noon on Saturday (except holiday weekends). We are closed on Sundays!

For more information on furniture dropoffs, please email Dropoff@FurnitureBank.org or leave a message at 416-934-1229, ext 705.

What’s a ‘hard’ deadline?

Example of a ‘soft’ deadline: “We’ve had this stuff in the garage for three years and I’d really like to get rid of it as soon as possible.”

Example of a ‘hard’ deadline: “I’m moving to Mongolia on October 31. My plane leaves at 2:00 p.m.”

Do you come into the house?

If we come to pick up your furniture, we will send a truck with a driver and helper, who will bring the items out of your home. It is not necessary to bring the items to the curb, although our drivers will be happy if you do. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE YOUR SHELVING. We won’t take it if you do.

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