How to Donate Cars to Needy People

Donating to charity doesn't have to mean writing a check. Helping needy people is possible to do even if you don't have any extra money. By donating a car, you can help people get to work, to school or to the hospital, or you can generate cash by allowing a charity to sell your car and keep the money.

Instructions

1. Think about your family members and acquaintances. Helping needy people may be something you can do within your own family or circle of friends. Check to see if anyone you know is struggling with transportation issues and "sell" them your car for $1.

2. Go to your place of worship. If you don't personally know anyone who needs a car, ask your minister or rabbi if anyone in the congregation needs a car. A needy person or family will directly benefit from the use of your car.

3. Contact a charity that helps needy people. Goodwill Industries and The Salvation Army are two charities that help needy people and accept car donations. If you have a charity that you already like, call them and ask them how your car can help.

4. Call the Good News Garage. This charity tunes up and donates cars directly to needy families.

5. Find the fair-market value of the car. Use the Kelley Blue Book to determine the value. If it's worth more than $5,000, it has to been appraised by a professional.

6. Bring the car to the charity or individual. Some may even be able to pick it up; you will have to check with the individual or the specific charity.

7. Get a receipt for the car. If you want to deduct it from your taxes, you will have to donate it to a charity and get that charity's tax ID number on your receipt, as well as your name and the date of donation, and the car's year, value, make and model. Then complete IRS form 8283.

8. Inform the authorities. Let the DMV and your insurance company know that you've donated or sold the car. They will be able to deal what steps to take next.

Tips & Warnings

• If you decide against directly donating your car, you can always sell the car and use the proceeds to help needy people.

• Avoid car donation services. Services that promise to take your car and donate it or its proceeds to charity often take the majority of the profit for themselves as a service fee.

References

• The Good News Garage
• Goodwill Car Donation
• Salvation Army Car Donation

Resources

• Tips On Donating A Car To Charity