Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find an answer to your question, please call
800.779.0777, ext. 3. Our office is open Monday-Friday
from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Why You Should Donate
Who benefits from my donation?
Your donation makes a significant impact on the lives of people living with the challenges of seizures. Since 1997, our used clothing operation has provided over $8.4 million to fund programs and services for the 60,000 people with epilepsy in our community. Your donations fund nearly half our annual program budget and help people with epilepsy realize their full potential. Visit About Our Services to learn more.
What does EFMN do with my donation?
EFMN employees drive the trucks to pick up your items, service neighborhood drop off donation bins and answer the phone when you call. Your donations provide nearly 40% of EFMN’s funding for services to help people rise above seizures. Your donations to EFMN will be sold to Savers, a for-profit corporation that is a professional fundraiser for EFMN in MN. Savers pays EFMN $0.36/lb. clothing, $0.241/lb. small home items & $0.241/pc. larger items of the goods you donate. The Foundation regularly negotiates our contract with Savers (or other buyers) to ensure we receive the highest possible price for your donated items. EFMN is one of 140 charities nationwide that works with Savers.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, your donation of used items is tax-deductible. There is a receipt on our postcards for your records. If you do not have a postcard, or if you donated at an EFMN bin or did not receive a receipt as described above, download a receipt here. For more information, please see Tax-Deductible Donations details.
Are my donations at an EFMN bin tax-deductible?
Yes, donations dropped off at our neighborhood donation bins benefit EFMN. If you donated at an EFMN bin or did not receive a receipt as described above, download a receipt here.
What happens to my used item donations? I’ve heard they get shipped to third world countries, or that EFMN gets just pennies for my expensive suit. Is this true?
Some donated items are not in good enough condition to sell at a thrift store or on the secondary bulk used items market, and can be sent elsewhere to help people in need. EFMN is paid a competitive price for the bulk items we deliver to Savers stores. Each week, that’s over 150,000 pounds of used clothing and home items!
Scheduling a Pickup
How do I schedule a pick up?
Click here to schedule a pick up or call 800.779.0777, ext. 3. Our office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
I didn't receive a postcard in the mail. Can I get a pick up at my address?
We offer Quick Pick Up Service within a week to residents in the Twin Cities Metro, St. Cloud and its near suburbs and the city of Rochester. However, we cannot guarantee that we service your area. Click here to see if you are in a quick service pick up area.
My neighbor down the street received your postcard, but I didn't. Can you add me to the mailing list?
We will do our best to add you to our mailing list, but because of the way we mail and volume we send, it’s not always possible. We may be able to contact you via phone or email regarding future pickups, though, so please call our office to ask about options.
What if I missed my pickup date?
Often times we can reschedule you very quickly, so please call right away. Those in routes outside of the major metropolitan areas may have to wait a bit longer for a rescheduled pickup, but please call to check potential reschedule dates. Here are drop off locations if you'd prefer to drop items instead.
Pickup Day
How should I prepare my donations for pickup?
Please place your donations curbside by 7:30 AM and mark them for us by attaching your postcard or a sheet of paper labeled "EF." We prefer that you package donations in plastic garbage bags and tie them at the top in case of bad weather. If you place items in boxes, please be wary of rain or snow, and consider using plastic to protect the boxes. Our drivers cannot collect items that are wet.
What if it is raining or snowing on my pickup day?
Our drivers collect rain, snow or shine. Please package your donations appropriately for rain or snow because we cannot accept wet items. The only time we might not collect is in severe or extreme weather conditions. In the event of bad weather call the weather alert line at 800.779.0777, ext. 3 or check our website's homepage for details that day.
Why must donations be curbside?
We require that donations be placed curbside for the safety of our drivers and to protect your lawn, driveway, etc.
Can you tell me what time the driver will pick up at my address?
We cannot offer specific times for donated item collections. Our drivers begin collecting donated items at 7:30 AM and work until their routes are finished, generally around 5:00 PM.
Do I need to be home for the pickup?
No. As long as your items are curbside by 7:30 AM and labeled "EF," our drivers will collect your donated items sometime during the day.
Tax-Deductible Donations
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, your donation of used items is tax-deductible. There is a receipt on our postcards for your records. If you do not have a postcard, or if you donated at an EFMN bin and did not receive a receipt, download a receipt here. For more information, please see Tax-Deductible Donations details.
Are my donations at an EFMN bin tax-deductible?
Yes, donations dropped off at our neighborhood donation bins benefit EFMN. If you donated at an EFMN bin and did not receive a receipt, download a receipt here.
How do I determine the value of my donation?
It is a donor's responsibility to assign values to his or her donation. Values should be based on secondhand market values, and not what the items cost when they were originally purchased. For more information, we recommend consulting the IRS website at irs.gov, specifically Publication 526.
What do I need for preparing my taxes?
You should keep a detailed list of the items you donated and the values of those items. You will also need our Federal Tax ID number and our mailing address:
Federal Tax ID 41-0874541
Epilepsy Foundation Minnesota, Inc.
1600 University Ave W, Suite 300
Saint Paul, MN 55104
My accountant said I need a signed letter acknowledging what I donated and the value of those items. Is that true?
In our industry, we cannot verify what items you donate or assign value to those items. Each week, we collect over 150,000 pounds of used clothing and home goods! With that sheer volume, it's impossible to track or assign value to a single item. Please maintain records of what you donated and assign your items fair value. We recommend consulting the IRS website at irs.gov, specifically Publication 526 for information.
Two Ways to Donate
1. Visit this page and schedule a convenient curbside pick up by one of our EFMN owned-and-operated trucks.
2. Use this map to find an EFMN neighborhood donation bin or Savers store in your area to drop your items.
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, Inc. • Copyright © 1994-2015 All rights reserved.
1600 University Ave. W. Suite 300, St. Paul, MN 55104
800.779.0777