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?

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2007 Honda Pilot

World Impact got more value

"We drove it till it died on the freeway at 228K miles.

You were easy to work with."

Keith M., Car Donation - Laguna Niguel, CA

Donation Benefitting:
donate-car-habitat-for-humanity

1997 Toyota Tacoma

Habitat for Humanity got more value

"Fantastic. Easy, fast, just as they said it would be. Good towing experience too."

Thomas L., Truck Donation - San Francisco, CA

Donation Benefitting:
donate-car-the-humane-society

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

Donation Benefitting:
car-donation-wounded-warrior-project (1)

2005 Yamaha Golf Cart

Wounded Warrior Project got more value

"I was very satisfied with the service, and it was very fast, too."

Joseph, P., Golf Cart Donation - Tucson, AZ

Donation Benefitting:
Charity_Cup

1996 Toyota Avalon

Charity Cup got more value

"My husband's in Korea; great service. Will ask my daughter to do yelp review."

Inok K., Car Donation - Fullerton, CA

 

Donation Benefitting:
Make-a-wish

2004 Fleetwood

Make-A-Wish got more value

"See my Yelp Review. Great to work with, everything just as promised. Went to a family with small kids :)"

Michael W., Trailer Donation - San Jose, CA

 

Donation Benefitting:
donate-car-arthritis-national-research-foundation (1)

2001 Volvo V40

Arthritis National Research Foundation got more value

"Love supporting Arthritis National Research this way."

Emily H., Car Donation - San Carlos, CA

Donation Benefitting:
Animal-Friends-Rescue-Project logo (1)

2004 Toyota Solara

Animal Friends Rescue Project got more value

"Thanks for the quick service, just as promised!"

Regan C., Car Donation - Salinas, CA

Donation Benefitting:
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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

Donation Benefitting:
Animal-Friends-Rescue-Project logo

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

Donation Benefitting:

Start vehicle donation.

Fill out the following form, it only takes a few minutes! We’ll contact you after your donation to arrange vehicle pickup, and answer any of your questions.