Locations

Oregon Resources for Used Car Donation

If you live in the state of Oregon and are considering donating your car, truck, van or RV, then you’ll no doubt want some help in identifying a legitimate charity. The first thing you’ll want to do is check with the Oregon Attorney General’s Office to make sure the charity you’ve chosen is a reputable one. You can also search their database if you need help in locating a charitable organization. Don’t donate impulsively or be pressured by a so-called charity organization. Legitimate charities will never pressure you to donate immediately. If you receive a telemarketing call asking for your donation, get contact information for the charity and verify their legitimacy and claims.

One local charitable organization in the state of Oregon that accepts vehicle donations is the National Kidney Foundation. The Oregon program accepts cars, trucks other vehicles 7 days a week. The National Kidney Foundation resells donated vehicles to raise funds which support local initiatives to prevent kidney disease and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.

Another well known organization that also accepts vehicle donations in Oregon is the St. Vincent De Paul Society of the Mid-Willamette Valley. They accept donations of used cars, boats, trucks and RV’s. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is a 175-year old nationally recognized Catholic lay organization. The Society was formed in Paris in 1833 after the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. A group of Catholic college students formed the society in an effort to combat local poverty and hunger. Today, the society is recognized globally as one of the most prevalent charitable organizations for helping to feed and support the poor, the sick and the young.

No matter what charity you choose, doing your research ahead of time and having the proper documentation is the key to making your donation count.

Charitable Car Donation in New Jersey

According to literature from the New Jersey Attorney General’s office, “Americans gave more than $306.4 billion to charities in 2007.” With so many charities to choose from country, how do you know if the charity you’re considering is legitimate? Before you donate that used car, it’s important to do your research so that you make sure your donation isn’t in vain. A great place to start is the New Jersey Attorney General’s office, where they have a searchable database of registered charities.

One of the more resourceful and creative charities in the New Jersey area is Excess Access. Part of the Matter of Trust organization, Excess Access’s mission is to pair people in need with donation items. Excess Access matches business and household item donations (including cars and other vehicles) with the wish lists of nonprofits that can provide pick-ups or will accept drop offs. People wishing to donate must first register with the site for a flat yearly fee of $5 for all participants, but the matching they do is fantastic. Here is a listing of some recent donations that have been successfully matched and picked up.

Most national organizations such as Goodwill and Salvation Army also accept used car donations, as well as other types of vehicles. Boats, RV’s, motorcycles, trailers and even jet skis have been donated for resale, allowing these charities to fund all kinds of programs for the needy. There are Goodwill donation centers all over New Jersey – for a list of them, click here. Goodwill accepts cars, boats and RVs in both running and non-working condition. To arrange for pick up or for more information about accepted vehicles, you can call 1-877-577-GIVE. Salvation Army also has many donation centers in New Jersey, however, all it takes is one phone call and they will pick up your car donation free of charge. You can also fill out their online donation form.

Car Donation Resources in Virginia

When considering charities for your used car donation in the state of Virginia, you’ll want to know how and where to get started. The best resource to consult with when researching charities is the Virginia Attorney General’s office. They offer news articles of recent charity scams and lists of legitimate charities, as well as a wealth of legal information about your charitable donation options.

Some of the more common charitable causes in Virginia include the National Kidney Foundation, Melwood – which is dedicated to helping the disabled and The Salvation Army . All of these organizations offer vehicle pickup and legitimate tax deduction. In addition, these charities have local presence all over the state of Virginia and are dedicated to helping its citizens in need.

You may not be aware that most charitable organizations accept vehicles of all kinds, not just automobiles. RV’s, boats, trailers and other types of vehicles are also generally accepted although some organizations have more restrictions than others. It’s wise to research ahead of time what the rules are for the charity that you decide on. Once you have decided on your charity, you’ll want to make sure you have a clean title on your vehicle so that the process of signing over the title is as easy as possible. Be aware that in some states, if the title is not immediately reassigned to the charity who is receiving the donated vehicle, then law presumes that you are the owner of the vehicle. This means you may be liable for tickets, towing and/or storage fees.

Before you finish your car donation transaction, you’ll want to be sure that you also receive a federal Form 1098-C (Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes) from your charity of choice. If you fail to include the Form 1098-C with your tax return, your donation may not be deductible.

Donating a Used Car in Houston

If you’re considering a car donation and you live in Houston, then you’ve come to the right place. Here we will provide you with some simple but much needed information before you choose a charity. For instance, you may want to know what kinds of vehicles are accepted, what the various charities will do with your car donation and how to receive a tax benefit from your donation.

Before you select your charity, first check with the Texas State Attorney’s Office to ensure that the charity you’ve chosen is legitimate. Of course you can also use the State Attorney’s website to research your charities if you are unsure of which one to choose or what charities accept vehicle donations.

We have taken the time to do some of the research for you and have found some great charities in the local Houston area where you can donate your used vehicle.

Giving Heart of America is a faith-based non-profit, committed to serving two groups of people – wounded veterans and the families of fallen soldiers. They offer true help in the form of skills, needed medical supplies or just a steady shoulder to lean on in a time of much grief and adjustment. They offer multiple options for your car donation, including the Managed Donation Program which is designed to offer much larger tax donations and more funds for Operation Fallen Hero. They also offer an online donation form, or you can call them at 1-713 690-GIVE (4483) in Houston or 1-888-277-GIVE (4483), toll free if you’re outside Houston.

Another potential charity for consideration is the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. By donating a vehicle, you are helping disadvantaged families by providing the gift of transportation. They will rehabilitate your old car and provide it to a family in need. For more information on donation, click here or call 1.866.915.GIVE (4483).

Car Donation Information for Illinois

If you have an old car, boat, trailer, Jet Ski or RV that you’ve wanted to get rid of, you might consider the option of donating it to charity. You may be curious about which charities will accept vehicle donations, or need information about what kind of vehicles they accept and in what condition. Before you begin, you’ll want to find a legitimate charity for your donation. With so many scams out there, consumers must be wary and informed – even with donations! The best place to start is with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, where you can search their charitable database.

One local Illinois charity to consider for your car donation is Vietnam Veterans of America. Proceeds from the sale of your donated vehicle benefit the Vietnam Veterans of America, Illinois State Council. From their website, “The donation process is simple, fast and secure, and your car donation will help us to provide critical support services for our defenders of freedom in their time of need. Call today at 630-Help-A-Vet (435-7283) or use our easy online donation form to schedule your free towing and join the thousands of other satisfied car donors who have already helped our veterans.”

Of course other national organizations accept car donations in Illinois, such as 1-800-Charity Cars: http://www.800charitycars.org/. Donated vehicles are provided to families in need of transportation. Many of the families they serve are recent victims of the sagging economy – who may have lost their car due to repossession. 1-800-Charity Cars leads the nation in providing donated vehicles to struggling families willing to work and become self-sufficient, tax-paying members of the community.

You’ll find many other charities that are willing to accept your used car donation, such as Goodwill and Salvation Army. You can contact a local chapter for more information on their specific policies. So rather than sell that old car, consider donating it! You’ll be helping someone in need and doing something you can feel great about!

Seattle Car Donation

Do you have a car, van, truck, trailer, RV or boat that you’ve been meaning to sell? Instead of selling that old vehicle, donate it to Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County through Habitat’s Cars for Homes ^TM car donation program and save yourself the hassle. By donating your car, you’ll receive a tax deduction for yourself. You can donate a car online or call or 1-877-277-4344. After you’ve donated your vehicle, Cars for Homes^TM sells it and uses the proceeds to help build homes for families in need of shelter.

Another great organization in the Seattle area and beyond is the Volunteers of America, Western Washington Division. Volunteers of America is dedicated to feeding hungry families, helping families in crisis and helping children succeed. They accept vehicle donations for resale, so that they can fund the various food banks and programs throughout Washington State. You can donate your vehicle online, or call 425-212-3260 or 1-877-CAR-4-VOA. According to their website, “Volunteers of America Western Washington is a 501(c)3 organization. Gifts made to Volunteers of America are tax deductible. For additional information regarding our activities or financial information, Volunteers of America Western Washington is registered with the Washington State Charities Program as required by law. For each dollar donation to Volunteers of America Western Washington, 88 cents goes directly to serving our community’s most vulnerable individuals.”

For a list of other charities in Seattle and all over Washington State, visit the Secretary of State’s website, where you can search charities by organization name, city, county, zip code, UBI number and/or Federal EIN. Just remember, always make sure the charity you choose for your car donation is a verified 501(c)3 organization and that you’ve gotten a valid receipt. Otherwise, you won’t be able to claim your tax benefit on your next tax return.

Donating a Car in the Bay Area

If you’re considering donating your old car to a charity in the Bay Area, you’ll want to know which ones accept vehicle donations, what kinds of donations they accept, where, and so on. We’ve done the research for you and taken the hassle and guesswork out of the donation process.

Firstly, you’ll want to make sure that any charity that you donate to is legitimate. You can check the California Attorney General’s website for resources to help you verify the validity of the charity you choose. Here are a few that we identified:

America’s Car Donation Center: http://www.donateacar.com/ . They provide support to the San Francisco SPCA as well as several other organizations. Their website indicates that they have a live operator available at all times to answer your questions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The website also says that in exchange for your vehicle donation, you will receive a complimentary travel certificate.

Another great organization in the Bay Area is the American Family Charity. They are a non-profit organization based in Santa Clara County that assists local families and children in need. They have a number of program initiatives and their car donation program provides working vehicles to families in order to find work and better their financial situation. If you truly want to help a local family, this is the organization to call.

If you prefer to donate to a nationally recognized charity with local chapters in the Bay Area, then you might consider charities like Salvation Army and Goodwill. You can fill out an online donation form for Goodwill that serves San Francisco, San Mateo & Marin counties here, or call (415) 575-2185 to make arrangements for your donation. Salvation Army vehicle donation information can be found here.

Lastly, make sure that whatever organization you donate to furnishes you with a valid federal Form 1098-C (Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes). Without this document, you will not be able to claim the appropriate deduction on your tax return.

Thinking of Making a Car Donation in Minnesota?

If you are thinking of making an automobile donation in Minnesota, you are not alone. Many people are struggling to keep their cars in some very trying times. Whether you sell your car or donate the vehicle to qualified charitable organization is up to you.

There are benefits to selling your car outright; obviously cash in hand is a pretty strong reason. Another thing to consider is the tax write off that comes with making a charitable donation. Depending on the vehicle and your income tax specifics, you could end up saving yourself a lot of hassle.

There are many non-profits that will accept your auto, truck, RV, boar, plane. When you donate a vehicle to a charity in MN, you will receive a receipt that can be used against your income taxes as a charitable donation, you will no longer be required to carry a tag and insurance on a vehicle that is not being used.

You can also help out some people that are in a less fortunate position than yourself. Many organizations give running vehicles to people that need them the most. Even non-running vehicles can be donated as scrap metal has made the auto-recycling business very lucrative.

There are plenty of things to watch out for as with any business that is gaining popularity….scams. Many search results when you are searching for someone in Minnesota to donate a car to; are populated with fraudsters.

Donate for Charity – is a site that appears to list other charities to donate vehicles. There are a lot of choices to look at here, and the site does not look to be search engine fodder for a national car scam network.

Newgate Education Center provides tuition-free training for auto body and mechanics technical skills. Their programs are geared towards low-income Twin Cities residents. They also assist in placing participants into real jobs. This is one of the best concepts in used vehicle programs as students pay no tuition. In addition all the automotive repair work they perform is basically OJT as they learn valuable career skills. The cars that are donated are fixed up, and then sold. This generates enough income from to keep the school operating without federal grants or your tax dollars.

Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Car Donation Program – This organization serves the twin cities and Rochester areas. Their program attempts to earn a profit by selling the vehicle either as useable transportation or as parts. Depending on the condition of the vehicle you are donating, you will receive a fair market value for you auto.

Keep in mind what happens when you donate a vehicle to charity. You will receive a form that you can send to the IRS with your tax papers. The organization also sends a copy of that form to the IRS. For more information see what the IRS has to say about donating your car in MN.

Donating a Car in Michigan – A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re considering donating your old car to a charity and you live in the state of Michigan, there are a few things you’ll want to know before doing so. Most charities do not accept vehicle donations for the purpose of reselling them. Your car donation is more likely to end up at a car auction or the junkyard for salvage value only. However, you can still feel good about your donation, as all funds raised are used to fund that charity’s mission.

When choosing your charity to receive your donation, you will want to make sure that they are licensed by the office of the Attorney General. You can check the list of licensed charities or fundraisers on the Attorney General’s website at www.michigan.gov/ag. Scroll down and click on Charities and then Lists of Charities and their Fundraisers. Or you can call 517-373-1152 for assistance.

It’s important to be cautious when donating an automobile in Michigan if you are not accompanying the recipient to the Secretary of State’s office to transfer the title. If the title is not reassigned to a charity or person who is receiving the donated vehicle, then it’s presumed that you are the owner of the vehicle. This means you may be liable for tickets, towing, and storage fees. If the transaction will not be completed at the Secretary of State’s office, you will need to have a “record of the sale” in addition to signing over the title. Michigan law requires a person who has donated a vehicle to keep a photocopy of the reassigned title or record of the “sale” for 18 months. The record of sale is a form or document that includes the name, address, driver license number, and signature of the person to whom the vehicle is sold and the purchase price and date of sale of the vehicle.

When you donate your car, always remember to ask for a federal Form 1098-C (Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes) from the charity. If you do not attach the Form 1098-C with your tax return when you file your taxes, your donation will not be deductible. Now that you’re informed of what to do and consider when donating your vehicle, let’s take a look at some local Michigan charities that accept vehicle donations.

The Saint Vincent de Paul vehicle car donation program. Saint Vincent de Paul sells donated vehicles to the poor at significantly lower prices than standard blue book value. The donor is able to take fair market value for their donation of their automobile donation on their tax return. In addition to cars, they accept trucks, boats, houses, motor homes and RV’s. If you would like to donate a vehicle, you can reach them at 1-877-788-4623.

Another charity that has a similar program is Charity Motors®. Charity Motors® is located in Detroit offers Retail Sales and a weekly Auction of donations. Donated vehicles are sold to those in need at prices that generally range from $100 to $1000. You can call 888.908.CARS for more information on their operating hours and policies. Often, they have more than 500 vehicles to choose from. Proceeds from the sale of the vehicles benefit a wide variety of charitable organizations, including:

Another well known charity in the Detroit area is Mother Waddles. Mother Waddles will accept any vehicle, running or not, to assist less fortunate individuals and families. This is done through discounted sales of vehicles to needy families as well as use of proceeds from sales to maintain the soup kitchen, which is dedicated to feeding the hungry in Detroit. Mother Waddles is located at : 12330 Joseph Campau St , Detroit, Michigan 48212. They can be reached at: 313-891-4475.

Thinking of Making a Car Donation in Florida?

Changes in the economy are placing people in some interesting positions. A lot of people can no longer afford to drive vehicles. Some are adopting methods of public transportation. Others are opting for more fuel efficient means of transportation like motor scooters and bicycles.

Many people are donating their unwanted vehicles to charities in Florida. For some very good reasons, donating a car can be a pretty good idea. When you donate your vehicle to a legit non-profit group this is what you can expect to receive:

• A receipt showing the fair market value of the vehicle. This makes donating a tax write off.
• You will pay nothing for someone to come out and pick up the car.
• You can rest easy knowing that someone out there will benefit from your gift.

Now here is what you really need to know. There are a lot of scams out there so be careful! If it sounds too good to be true…. There are also several important things to remember as pointed out in this recent LA Times article.

After some extensive research we have compiled a small list of legitimate non-profits that do accept vehicles. Scrap or non-running vehicles can often be donated as well. The price of steel alone makes a car worth a few hundred dollars to a steel recycler.
Here are a few places we recommend.

Goodwill – The largest charity that will accept auto donations. Goodwill benefits disabled, homeless and the jobless all across America. Your generous gift will be much appreciated and you can take advantage of a major tax break.

Salvation Army – Another large charity that helps people from all walks of life. The SA helps people with Substance abuse, sheltering in addition to criminal rehabilitation. Those are the core functions of the army that has never fired a shot in anger.

National Kidney Foundation – Their charity car donation program accepts cars, trucks and boats every day of the year. The charity car donation turns those vehicle donations into funds to help prevent kidney disease and to increase the accessibility of organs for transplants.