Donate My Car To Charity

...But Which One?

Non-running vehicles often accepted.

Some charities offer same day pickup.

You many qualify for a nice tax deduction.

"I want to donate my car to charity, but which one is the best?" There are lots of places to make a charity car donation, but not all are created equal... 

 

Donating your car to charity sounds like you're not getting anything in return, when in reality you stand to get several good things. You get an IRS tax deduction if you itemize your taxes. (You must claim the deduction the same year you donate it.) You get it out of your driveway (making room for your other car) and - best of all - you get to do something worthwhile for those in need.

Q: Can I donate my car to any charity?
Yes, but in order to get credit for it for tax purposes, you need to ensure the charity is setup to accept cars (tax-exempt status). Note that reducing your reported income on your tax return by the amount of your donated vehicle's fair market value may not net you any less taxes you owe.

...But still, you will be doing a great service to your local charity.

Q: What are the charities that accept vehicles (for tax credit) that I can trust?
The following are some charities that will take your old car and either give it to a family truly in need or will use it for the charity's own programs. They are trusted, proven 501(c) charity organizations (meaning they are registered with the IRS as tax exempt).

1. Goodwill Industries - They are a national non-profit charitable organization that has a site in nearly every state, and several sites in major cities. They will take your car, but they will only sell it to fund their ongoing charitable efforts - they won't re-purpose your car or give it to the needy. Still, this is a good way to go for you.

2. kars4kids.org - "Kars 4 Kids" will give your working car to the needy or sell it. Like Googwill Industries, they will take all cars - regardless of condition and whether they run or not. Cars that don't run will be sent to the salvage yard and they'll reap the salvage fee. Note that non-running, junk cars must have a title with them - just like running vehicles - in order for you to be able to donate them.

...The below listed organizations are all bona fide 501(c)(3) charity organizations just like Goodwill and kars4kids- and very worthwhile, that you can donate your car to:

3. VFW Foundation - the Veterans of Foreign Wars has many chapters, not all accept vehicles but many do.

4. National Kidney Foundation - Your donation helps fund education, patient services, and organ donation programs.

5. Salvation Army - Everyone's heard of this one, but they will only take operable vehicles. It's a faith-based international organization that is involved with just about every type of charity. ( See RSS feed below.)

6. American Cancer Society - Your vehicle donation is used for cancer research and other patient services and programs, in a program called, "Cars For A Cure."

7. Big Brothers Big Sisters Of America (BBBSA.org) has a vehicle donation program they call, "Cars For Kids' Sake." They accept all vehicles, running or not.

8. Make-A-Wish Foundation - This is an awesome charitable organization that will take your old used car (through one of their local chapters). Visit www.wish.org for more info. They grant the wishes of children whose prospects for a long life are slim, in order to give these children some hope and joy in their lives that the children's parents could not otherwise afford to give them.

9. United Way of America - You've probably heard of this one too. They have chapters all over the country. The difference between the United Way and other similar charities is that each chapter is independently run and managed by local volunteers. Not all accept vehicle donations, however, check with your loca chapter.

10. American Hospice Foundation - They partnered with "Car Program, LLC" to take your old car. Visit www.americanhospice.org for more info. They support programs that tend to the needs of the terminally ill and trains people to help grieving family members.

11. Alzheimer's Association - Check with your local www.alz.org chapter for more info, but they have several vehicle donation services. They spearhead alzheimer's research and support worldwide.

The above eleven car donation charities are not the only ones that will take your car, but they are the most recognized, so you may have an easier time donating your unwanted vehicle through them.

The Salvation Army has locations all over the world.  But below you'll find announcements from their eastern United States sites...

The American Lung Association also accepts vehicles for donation...