CYC Donation Guidelines

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. Below you can find a quick summary of CYC Accepted Donation Items & Conditions: 

• Accepted Items:

  • Household Items:

    • Clothing & Clothing Accessories - All sizes and ages, including shoes
    • Appliances: Home and kitchen appliances
    • Tools: Hand tools, small power tools, tool batteries
    • Office Equipment: Chairs, surge protectors, paper, ink, etc.
      

• Rejected Items:

  • Items that are broken, stained, soiled or excessively worn
  • Car seats, recalled items, weapons or explosives
  • Chemicals, paint, light bulbs, items containing fuel or potentially hazardous materials

• Item Size:

  No longer than 70 inches in length or exceed 70 lbs.

• Item Condition:

  Must be in secondhand industry usable condition

The above general requirements are a quick summary; for a full list of acceptable item donations, please see the CYC Accepted Donation Items & Conditions.

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.