FAQs
Frequently asked questions about donating your car!
Frequently Asked Questions
A car donation is a process by which a car, truck, van, or other type of vehicle is donated to a charity by an individual in exchange for a tax deduction.
The simplest explanation is that Cars2Charities picks up your vehicle, liquidates it by sending it to auction (or sells it via private party for maximum value), processes the sale through the Department of Motor Vehicles, and then sends the proceeds minus expenses to your favorite nonprofit organization. More on your tax deduction below!
Donating a car is the best way to get rid of an unused or unwanted vehicle. If your car is no longer running, has some body damage that is too expensive to fix, or perhaps doesn’t qualify for a trade-in, then donating your vehicle to charity is a great option for you! Of course, there are many other reasons to donate your old car, like supporting your favorite charity or just wanting to do something for your community. Maybe you just want the tax deduction! Donating your car to charity is a win-win for all involved whatever the reason.
You’ve probably noticed there are many charities competing for your car donation. Most actual charities are not able to process their own vehicle donations – so they hire a car donation servicing company, like Cars2Charities. So what should you look for in deciding where to donate your vehicle? (Since — whether you know it or not — 90% of the charities you love do use a service company.) Look for one that gets the highest value for your car. Our program does exactly that. We maximize the value of every donation we can. We’re also female and family-owned which is always a plus.
Your car donation is tax deductible! And the best part is, your vehicle donation helps contribute actual money to the charity you love. How, you ask? Simple. We sell all donated vehicles to create cash proceeds for the charities we represent. Once a donation sells, you receive a tax deduction receipt, and the charity gets the money raised by the sale of the vehicle, minus expenses. Everything is done in only a matter of weeks! Vehicle donations have never been easier, and if you have additional questions about how Cars2Charities vehicle donation program works, our friendly operators are here to guide you through the entire process!
Unfortunately, no. Cars2Charities does not give away or sell donations to the public. All of our donated vehicles are sent to auction or sold through pre-established, vetted partners ensuring anonymity and security through the proper legal channels. Our processes provide maximum value for our donors and charity affiliates without sacrificing any personal information or unsanctioned liabilities. Maybe try a local nonprofit that is better suited to help with your particular situation.
What are our donors saying?


2001 GMC Savannah 2500
Children's Hospital got more value
"So happy to donate this van in the hope of helping a child survive the disease."
Palisades Plumbing Inc., Van Donation - Pacific Palisades, CA

2012 Salem 29QBDS
Saddleback Church got more value
"Better tax deduction than the dealer price would've been, and same or more to charity. Hassle free, great!"
Letty J., Trailer Donation - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

2002 Ford Windstar
Mount of Olives Lutheran Church got more value
"You fixed my bad alternator? Great! Wow, my tax deduction's a lot more than I expected!"
Beverly C., Van Donation - Mission Viejo, CA

Animal Friends Rescue Project got more value
"After 15 months in the back yard, it's great you could still get so much for Animal Friends Rescue
and for me."
Francesca A., Car Donation - Salina, CA

Saddleback Valley Community Church got more value
"I'm so surprised that Cars2Charities was able to
get double what I thought my car was worth."
Norman B., Car Donation - Laguna Woods, CA

Saddleback Valley Community Church got more value
"My car had 200K, I expected to get much less. Thanks!"
Joseph J., Car Donation - Trabuco Canyon, CA

2007 Honda Odyssey
Wounded Warrior Project got more value
"We really wanted to support Wounded Warrior Project, you made it easy to do that."
Stephen B., Van Donation - Burbank, CA

2001 Nissan Sentra GXE
Animal Friends Rescue Project got more value
"I love what AFRP does and I'm happy I could help with my car donation."
Sharon F., Car Donation - Salinas, CA

2003 Toyota Camry
Wounded Warrior Project got more value
“At first I wasn’t ready to donate my car to charity. We tried selling it ourselves, twice, but couldn’t. You guys got so much more than we expected. Wish I’d called you in the first place. Great charity donation website.”
Susan B., Car Donation - Los Angeles, CA
2002 Toyota Tundra Extra Cab
Animal Friends Rescue Project got more value
"I was so surpirsed when Cars2Charities called me and said they had gotten me a $2,700 tax deduction. I thought my old car was a goner!"
William G., Truck Donation - Carmel, CA