The “Most Wanted” List: Communicating Your Priority Needs to Donors

The “Most Wanted” List: Communicating Your Priority Needs to Donors

Walk through any furniture bank warehouse, and you’ll quickly notice: not all items are created equal. Some gently-used furniture pieces fly off the shelves—beds, dressers, kitchen tables—while others linger longer than you’d like. The problem? Donors don’t always know what’s needed most.

That’s where the “Most Wanted” list comes in.

Why a “Most Wanted” List Works

Your donors want to help. But they often don’t know how. A “Most Wanted” list cuts through the noise and makes giving easy, specific, and satisfying. It tells your supporters exactly what’s in demand—so they can contribute in the most impactful way.

Done well, this list becomes more than a tool. It’s a bridge between your mission and your community.

Making the List

Creating your “Most Wanted” list can be as simple as paying attention to your inventory flow:

• What items are you always running out of?
• What are clients requesting that you can’t always fulfill?
• What items do case managers consistently flag as high-need?

Start small. A short, focused list (think 3–5 items) will get more attention and action than a long, detailed inventory.

Use urgency wisely. “Right now, we especially need twin bed frames and dressers—these are the final pieces many families need to feel at home.” That kind of messaging is hard to ignore.

How to Share It

You can publish your list on your website, pin it to the top of your social feeds, include it in newsletters, or even post a photo of an empty shelf or a note from a client saying, “All I need is a kitchen table so my kids can eat dinner together.”

Make it visual. Make it personal. And most of all—make it easy to update.

Pro Tip: Link the List to the Story

Your donors are giving more than stuff—they’re giving dignity, comfort, and a fresh start. Pair your “Most Wanted” list with a client story or case manager quote to show what a donated dresser or kitchen chair means to a family moving out of homelessness.

That’s the kind of story your list should tell.

Keep It Fresh

A static list becomes invisible. Update it monthly, and tell your audience why. “Thanks to your donations in March, 14 families received couches! In April, we’re focusing on small dressers and nightstands.”

In short? A ‘Most Wanted’ list turns your inventory gaps into opportunities for generosity. It’s a practical, low-lift communication strategy that meets your donors where they are—and helps you meet more families where they are, too.

Need help getting started or want to build a searchable, donor-friendly catalog of your top needs? Furniturebank.net can help you get there.