About Vehicle Donations for the Poor

Donating your vehicle to foundations and charities for the poor is a great way to get rid of an old vehicle, as well as help those less fortunate in your community. There are plenty of incentives to donate your vehicle, and aside from that fuzzy feeling you get from helping others, you can also get some practical benefits for yourself as well.

Finding a Charity

Most charities that will take vehicles on behalf of the poor are community-based and will help real people in your neighborhood. See the "Resources" section for a local charity-finding tool.

Religious Organizations

Religious organizations, particularly the Catholic Church, are great resources if you are trying to help the poor, and can help you locate a charity that will take your car on behalf of the poor.

Vehicle Types

In addition to cars, charities for the poor will often accept other vehicles, like trucks, RVs, ATVs as well as seasonal vehicles like boats and snowmobiles.

Warning

Most charities for the poor that take vehicles as donations are local, but beware of intermediary "charitable agencies" who will sell your car at a discount to other charities. Do your research, and make sure to see applicable paperwork to make sure the charity is legit.

Keep All Paperwork

Due to high instances of fraud, the IRS has been getting tougher about claiming car donations on your tax returns. Make sure you have all applicable receipts and invoices before claiming your donation.

Resources

• Charity Navigator's Guide to Donating your Car
• Charity Guide Search Engine