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?


2002 Mazda Protege
Saddleback Valley Community Church got more value
"Happy to know I could help Saddleback Church."
Jeff V., Car Donation - Riverside, CA

KQED Public Radio got more value
"I am just so happy that Cars2Charities was able
to sell the car for that much. That way I could
support KQED Public Broadcasting and get
myself an excellent tax deduction."
Mark E., Car Donation - Redwood City, CA

1997 BMW M3
Make-A-Wish got more value
"Wow, that's great … my rating? A 10."
Douglas H., Car Donation - Salinas, CA

2002 Yamaha G22E
SPCA got more value
"I had no use for this golf cart so I'm happy I was able to support the SPCA. Good work!"
Lennie P., Golf Cart Donation - Tehachapi, 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

1993 SeaRay Jet Boat
Humane Society got more value
"Excellent! I'm so pleased the boat found a new home."
Sheri C., Boat Donation - Mission Viejo, CA

2000 Toyota Camry
Ronald McDonald House Southern California got more value
"Great experience, would work with them again."
Nick D., Car Donation - La Verne, CA

Guide Dogs of America got more value
"We couldn't smog the vehicle, so glad you got
value from it! Turned out great for us."
Kent C., Car Donation - Temecula, CA

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid
Yorba Linda Friends Church got more value
"Great job! Quick and painless, thank you."
James H., Car Donation - Yorba Linda, 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