Charitable Car Donation

Donating your car to charity is a very generous act that can help many people. If you are considering giving your car away for charitable purposes, you may have some questions about the process and how your donation will benefit individuals in need. The following is a comprehensive list of questions pertaining to the car donation process. It is our hope that the answers will clarify your questions and help you to make the decision to give your old car away to a great cause!

What type of car can I donate?

This is perhaps the most common FAQ about car donation and the answer is: cars, trucks, boats, RV's, motor homes and motorcycles. Every charity has its own rules regarding what vehicles they accept, so as a rule, before choosing a charitable organization, find out what types of cars they accept.

My car failed the emission test, can I still donate it? Even if your car did not pass the emission test, your donation is still greatly appreciated! Cars can be repaired and if you are generous enough to give your car away to a good cause, most organizations will ensure that it gets properly fixed up!

Do I need any documents to donate my vehicle?

This is a car donation FAQ that is often overlooked by generous individuals who are eager to help someone else. Before donating your car to a charity, you need a clear title for the vehicle. If you cannot find this document, other official DMV paperwork may be accepted, as long as it proves that you are the rightful owner of the car.

Am I required to drop the vehicle off to my chosen charity?

Again, depending on which charity you choose, the procedure for car pickup will vary. Generally, most organizations will tow the car at no cost to you. If this is the protocol, you can expect to get a call from a towing company to arrange a convenient time for pickup. At this time, you will hand over the title and the keys to the car and complete all required paperwork. Of course, if you would like to drop off the car yourself, it will most certainly be appreciated!

What if you do not list my preferred charity?

We have compiled an extensive list of charities in both Canada and the United States, but of course, not all charities are listed here. If, for instance, you would like to donate to a church or another charitable organization that is not on our list, simply contact us and we will gladly make the necessary arrangements so that your car goes to a place you feel comfortable with.

How Do I Initiate a Car Donation for Charity

Many people are participating in car donation these days as opposed to selling or junking their old vehicles. Although it can be a tax deduction if you donate to a reputable entity, the real benefit comes from knowing that the sale of your car will provide food, shelter and medication to the underprivileged.

Although the vehicle donation process used to be quite tedious - with multiple phone calls, numerous forms to fill out and the fact that you had to drive your vehicle to the donation center - it is now much simpler. You can essentially complete the entire process in a matter of minutes...all you need is a computer and an internet connection.

There are a number of reputable sites online that take car donations for charity. A little research will help you find the one that's right for you. In most cases, you will have to fill out a brief form with information about yourself and your vehicle. If you would rather call up and speak with someone, you can do that too. Most of the better companies will have a live operator who can not only take your information, but provide more information about the program, including tax deductions, pickup arrangements and which charities the donations will go to upon the sale of your automobile.

Once you have submitted your vehicle donation information, you can make arrangements for pickup...as we mention above, you do not have to drive the car there yourself. This can usually be set up within a few days, and it can be picked up either at your home or at an agreed upon location. You also do not have to be present at the time. They make it very convenient and easy for you to donate your car to charity.

You do have the added benefit of a tax deduction for your car donation, which is usually up to $500, or more if the company is able to sell your auto for more money. Essentially, the deduction can be for the full price of the car, subject to a few restrictions.

Although car donations for charity usually go to a specific organization, in some cases you may be able to choose where the proceeds of the sale go. But as long as it goes to a reputable charity it's worth it.

So if you're thinking of getting rid of your old car, consider a charitable vehicle donation. Isn't knowing that the sale of your car helped feed or clothe someone in need more satisfying than a couple hundred extra dollars in your pocket? We think it is.

Learn more about car donation on our website, and discover how you can make a difference by donating your old vehicle to a worthy cause.