CYC Accepted Donated Items & Conditions

CYC Accepted Donated Items & Conditions

In addition to the minimum IRS Donation Compliance, CYC and our partners also hold our own set of requirements. Outside of financial contributions, all non-cash item donations need to be in usable condition. The most commonly donated items include electronics, household items, clothing and clothing accessories. Some of the items are not accepted include used undergarments, hazardous items, recalled items, some children items and more. 

CYC also accepts items as a service to our partners through donation services, events, programs, and fundraisers. Some additional items accepted include unopened food, art, tools, and more. All contributions directly impact the youth and local community; in addition, all contributions help reduce the local carbon footprint to pave the way for a more eco-friendly future.

CYC offers multiple item donation services to our community, which include the CYC Donation Center - where contributors can come-in to make a financial donation or drop off items - and the CYC Uplift Donation Program where a team member picks up donations from the convenience of contributors home. To save time throughout the donation process, we've put together a comprehensive list of accepted and rejected items and which items are typically donated for each program. Below you can find a detailed of CYC Item Donation Requirements: 

Generally Accepted Items:

  • Criteria: 

    • Small items that do not require special care or packaging

  • Accepted Items: Must be in usable condition for the secondhand industry

    • Household Items:
      • Clothing & Clothing Accessories: All sizes and ages, including shoes
      • Small Appliances: Home and Kitchen appliances, including:
        • Floor Care & Vacuums, Carpet Cleaners, Fans, Mini Refrigerators, Microwave Ovens, Air Fryers, Cookers, Electric Machines, Blenders, Toasters, Mixers, Coffee Machines, etc.
      • Tools: Hand Tools, Small Power Tools, Tool Batteries, including:
        • Hand Tool Sets, Drills, Saws, Clamps, Cutting Tools, Impact Machines, Grinders, Rotary Tools, Air Powered Tools, etc.
      • Office Equipment: Chairs, Computers, Printers, Scanners, Shredders, Telephones, Headsets, Surge Protectors, Paper, Ink, etc.
      • Consumer Electronics: Laptops, Flat Screen TVs, Digital Cameras, Gaming Consoles, Smartphones & Tablets, Wearables, Radios & Speakers, DVD Players, etc. 
      • Art, Crafts & Hobbies: Paintings, Frames & Painting Supplies, Craft Machines, Home & Decor, Storage & Organization, etc.
      • Jewelry: Body Jewelry, Watches, Jewelry Boxes, etc.
      • Bags & Luggage: Handbags, Purses, Backpacks, Briefcases, Duffle Bags, Rolling Luggage Bags, etc.
      • Books | Movies | Music: Soft & Hard Cover Books, Textbooks, DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs, Vinyl Records, etc.
      • Toys & Collectibles: Action Figures, Dolls, Plush Toys, Puzzles, Board Games, Novelty Toys, Collectible Sets, etc. 
      • Sports Equipment: Cleats, Balls, Goals/Nets, Training Equipment, etc.
      • Antiques: Fine Art, Clocks, Ceramics, Coins, Silverware, China Sets, Antique Art, Collectibles, etc.
      • Miscellaneous: Bikes, Musical Instruments, Pet Supplies, Religious & Seasonal Items, Knick-Knacks, etc.
    • Household Items Condition:
      • Clothing & Clothing Accessories: Must be wearable without significant signs of wear and cannot be soiled or have excessive stains or tears
      • Electronics: In working condition and does not require repair
      • Other Items: Rust-free, cannot be torn, missing parts, broken or have considerable surface damage

  • Rejected Items:

    • Financial Contributions:
      • CYC does not accept wire transfers, options, stocks or bonds, etc.
    • Items
      • Oversize/Bulky: Sofas, Mattresses, Large Furniture, Large Appliances, including:
        • Refrigerators, Washer/Dryers, Standing Freezers, Ovens, 
      • Used Undergarments
      • Recalled or Defective Items: For an updated list of recalled items and products, please see below:
    • Select Children Items: Breast Pumps, Car Seats, Cribs, & Strollers manufactured 6+ Years Ago. 
    • Potentially Hazardous Items: Chemicals, Paint, Light Bulbs, Items Containing Fuel or any other Potentially Hazardous Materials
    • Weapons or Explosives: Guns, Ammunition, Bows, Bombs, Grenades, etc.
    • Inflatables?? Portable Pools?

  • Item Size:


    • The longest side can no longer than 70 inches and the total item weight cannot exceed 70 lbs.

  • Item Condition:


    • Must be in secondhand industry usable condition

  • Exceptions:

    • If you have an item(s) not currently accepted by CYC, some items may be arranged to be picked up through one of our partners. A small fee may apply. For additional information Contact Us or call/text (909) 556-8685

Accepted Items by Donation Method:

  • Uplift Vehicle Accepted Items Criteria:

    • Dimensions: Longest side must not exceed 64 in.
    • Weight: 25 lbs. limit

  • Uplift Truck Accepted Items Criteria:

    • Dimensions: 
    • Weight: 70 lbs. limit

  • Uplift Box Accepted Items: 

    • Weight: 50 lbs. limit

For more information about CYC programs and services, please see the Contribution Methods Page.

Donation Value Guide

To receive a tax-deductible charitable contribution, the IRS holds the individual contributor - not the charitable organization - responsible to provide the fair market value on noncash item contributions. Unlike financial contributions, placing a value on items can be complicated due to a number of factors, including the variety of accepted items, item size, item age, and condition to name a few. Many organizations use the general item value rule of 30 - 50% of the original price. To further assist with placing a value on some donated items, please see the CYC Donation Value Guide.

Now that we've established what qualifies for charitable contributions, what is needed to receive a tax-deduction, and how to place a value on donated items, let's take a look at some of the ways donors can contribute to CYC.

Contribution Methods

CYC, a San Bernardino, CA nonprofit charity, appreciates the contributions made by our community over the years. To show our gratitude we aim to provide excellent customer service through our range of donation services and programs. We have found that helping people do good can and should be an easy and seamless process. For nearly two decades, our programs and services have been modified to meet both now and existing contributors expectations. Whether it's financial contributions, donating items, or volunteering time - CYC has a program tailored to help contributors make a direct community and environmental impact while improving the lives of at-risk children and youth. Learn more about the CYC Contribution Methods to see how todays contributions are shaping a better tomorrow on the CYC Contribution Methods Page.

Contribution Written Communication

For your records, CYC provides a written receipt for all contributions. A physical hard-copy is distributed when items are received through the Uplift Donation program and at our Donation Drop Off Center in San Bernardino, California. For all other contributions and for CYC account holders, paperless receipts are posted in the receipts-section of the CYC Contributor Accounts. For more information on written communication, please see our Contribution Written Communication Page.

Charitable Contribution Deduction

When filing taxes that include a charitable contribution deduction, contributors are held responsible for supporting any claims. The requirements will vary based on the type of contribution and amount. Although, CYC is not a tax professional agency, we have compiled a quick checklist to help contributors deducting charitable contributions when filing taxes. For more information on charitable tax-deductions, please see our Charitable Contribution Deduction Page. 

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