About Car Donations for Families in Need
Donating your car to charity is not only a tax benefit, but it could also be a needy family's last ray of hope in a time of need. Your car donation could also help provide housing, food, medical care or a multitude of other services families so desperately need. The number of charities that take car donations is mind numbing. Finding a reputable organization that will put the proceeds to use where you intend isn't always an easy venture.
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First Things First
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Know the value of your car before you donate. The most trusted resource for determining your car's value is Kelley Blue Book, which has a researchable online database. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles about car donations and transfer of title requirements. Once you know these facts, you are ready to find a charity.
Find Your Cause
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Decide what cause you are passionate about and who you want to help most. When in doubt about an organization, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance website offers information about charity accountability standards, national wise giving reports, charity evaluation and more. It is an invaluable resource for confirming an organization's validity. If you're still trying to decide, Forbes.com lists America's largest charities and even evaluates their assets. You can never do too much research about a charity. Too many innocent people are scammed each year.
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Make Contact
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Contact the charity either by phone or online. Many charities have online donations and detailed information about what is required to complete your donation successfully. All states have different requirements for transfer of title and canceling your car's plates and tags. Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles for specific regulations in your state. It is also a good idea to read "A Donor's Guide to Vehicle Donation" from the IRS. It gives detailed information about requirements for car donation tax write-offs.
More Questions to Ask
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Find out what other responsibilities might fall on your shoulders, such as, who will be responsible for arranging for the pick-up of the vehicle. Confirm with the organization whether the proceeds from your donation will be used outside of your community or distributed locally. Some charities that accept car donations do not contribute to one single charity. Ask if you have a choice of which charity your donation will support, if possible. Make sure to have the organization clarify exactly what portion of your donation will actually go to charity and how much will go toward the operation of the organization itself.
Tracking You Car Donation
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In some cases you may have the ability to see where the proceeds from your donation are actually going. Smaller, reputable charities some times offer updates on spending and in some cases may even offer you the opportunity to see exactly where your contribution ended up. If you have a personal stake in your choice for which you've made a donation, such as autism, you may want to choose a charity that offers a way to track your donation.
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References
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