Choosing the Right Charity to Make a Difference
Have you been considering donating a car to charity, but aren’t sure which charity to choose? Car donations can provide a lot of benefits, including tax deductions, environmental sustainability, and helping to support causes you care about. But it’s important to choose a reputable charity that will use your car donation effectively.
Why Car Donation Wizard is the Best Car Donation Program
The car donation industry is filled with fraudulent programs that look to exploit your generosity. You can avoid falling victim to car donation scams by exercising caution, conducting due diligence, and choosing a reputable organization. For over 15 years, Car Donation Wizard has connected donors with respected charities that use your car donation to fund the important work they do to make a difference in their communities. The nation’s top car donation charities continue to trust us with their programs because we are transparent, growth minded and consistently return the highest percentage of gross sales back to our partners (over 80%!).
We’ve raised over $250 million for our charity partners and continue to ensure we are constantly perfecting our remarketing practices to deliver best in class returns. We use a proprietary tech platform to ensure vehicles are treated individually and sold for the highest value with lowest fees for the best ROI for charities and donors; we consistently outperform other vendors in the space.
Car Donation Wizard does more than process donation vehicles, we collaborate with our charity partners to deliver volume by providing expert SEO advice and managing ad campaigns. We also collect donor stories that tell the incredible back stories of these donations and why donors have chosen to support their nonprofit with this gift.
We’re committed to raising as much as possible for our charity partners by putting the best interest of donors and their donations at the forefront of our work. Through our donor console, donors are able to track their vehicle through each step of the process. We hold ourselves accountable to a standard of transparency and excellency that is simply not matched by any other program.
And don’t just take our word for it, many of our programs are ranked on top rated sites, like Forbes and Moneycrashers, as the best programs to trust with your donation and we are consistently ranked as the program with the highest return by the California Attorney General Report.
Top Car Donation Charities by Category
Choosing the right charity for your car donation is an important part in ensuring that your contribution has a meaningful impact. Charities encompass a wide range of categories, each with its unique purpose and mission. From organizations dedicated to tackling poverty and hunger, to those focused on promoting education and empowering communities, there is a charity for almost every cause under the sun. Whether your heart beats for healthcare, human rights, arts and culture, or any other noble cause, these charities effectively utilize car donations to fund their services and programs.
Best Community Impact Car Donation Charities
Habitat for Humanity
Ranked as one of the Best Car Donation Charities of 2023 by Forbes Advisor, Habitat for Humanity’s Cars for Homes program has raised over $30 million in the last five years. When you donate a car to Habitat for Humanity, you’ll help new and future homeowners in your community through builds, home improvements, and modifications.
Start your Habitat for Humanity car donation online or by calling 877-277-4344!
Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program
The Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program is a legacy of the public radio show Car Talk and allows you to donate a car to your favorite NPR station. When you donate a car to your local public radio station, you give them the crucial funds they need to keep your favorite NPR programs on air.
Start your NPR car donation online or by calling 877-215-0227!
Special Olympics
Through training, competitions, health screenings, and fundraising events, Special Olympics helps people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths, abilities, skills, and success. When you donate a car to Special Olympics, you’ll give Special Olympics athletes the chance to develop physical fitness, compete in Olympic-like sports and experience the joy of sharing their skills with others.
Start your Special Olympics car donation online or by calling 888-828-0022!
Audrain Automobile Museum
The Audrain Automobile Museum‘s collection of over 350 cars and motorcycles displays exhibits each year, to entertain all generations and stylistic preferences. By donating your classic car to the Audrain, not only will your collecting legacy live on, it will become integral in preserving automotive history for future generations of car enthusiasts.
Start your Audrain Automobile Museum car donation online or by calling 877-957-2277!
Best Health and Medical Research Car Donation Charities
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. The proceeds from the sale of car donations through the Cars for a Cure® program will fund cancer research, advocacy, patient services, and education.
Start your American Cancer Society car donation online or by calling 888-227-5500!
ALS Association
The ALS Association educates policy makers and encourages them to take action in support of those battling ALS. When you donate a car to the ALS Association, you’ll help find a cure for patients battling ALS.
Start your ALS Association car donation online or by calling 888-852-0305!
Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is pursuing a cure for America’s #1 cause of disability while championing the fight to conquer arthritis with life-changing science, resources, advocacy and community connections. Your Arthritis Foundation car donation will support those impacted by arthritis while advancing life-changing research.
Donate your car to the Arthritis Foundation online or by calling 800-905-4931!
American Liver Foundation
The American Liver Foundation (ALF) makes a difference in the fight against liver disease by providing financial support for medical research, education for medical professionals, and advocacy and information for patients and their families, and by creating public awareness campaigns about liver wellness and disease prevention. The “Drive Away Liver Disease” program allows you to donate your car to the American Liver Foundation.
Start your American Liver Foundation car donation online or by calling 833-343-7483!
Best Humanitarian Aid Car Donation Charities
UNICEF USA
UNICEF works to deliver the essentials that give every child an equitable chance in life: health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. When you donate a car to UNICEF USA, you’ll help make it possible for UNICEF to respond swiftly in crisis situations and work in places with ongoing need.
Start your UNICEF USA car donation online or by calling 855-487-3863!
CARE
CARE works around the world to save lives, fight poverty and achieve social justice. When you donate a car through the Cars for CARE® Vehicle Donation Program, you’ll help lift families out of poverty and create jobs for women and their families.
Start your CARE car donation online or by calling 800-422-7385!
Best Children’s Car Donation Charities
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving and advancing the health and well-being of children around the world through its life-changing work in clinical care, biomedical research, medical education and community engagement. When you donate a car to Boston Children’s Hospital, you’ll help advance pediatric care worldwide.
Start your Boston Children’s Hospital car donation online or by calling 877-957-2277!
March of Dimes
March of Dimes is focused on providing research, education, and advocacy for mothers and babies as they begin their loving journeys together. By donating your car to March of Dimes, you are helping to empower women with programs and valuable information about creating and maintaining happy and healthy families.
Start your March of Dimes car donation online or by calling 888-898-1144!
Feed the Children
Over the past 40 years, Feed The Children has become one of the world’s leading private organizations committed to ending world hunger. Your Feed The Children car donation will allow children and their families to live more stable lives and reduce the uncertainty of when their next meal will come.
Donate your car to Feed The Children by filling out the online donation form or by calling 888-966-1425!
Best Veteran Car Donation Charities
Green Beret Foundation
The Green Beret Foundation provides U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers and their families with emergency, immediate, and ongoing support. When you donate a car to the Green Beret Foundation, you’re helping those who have served our country and their families get the support they need and deserve.
Start your Green Beret Foundation car donation online or by calling 877-957-2277!
Military Family Advisory Network
The Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) is a voice for the military family and the resource that connects military families to the information and people they depend on to successfully navigate all phases of military life. Your Military Family Advisory Network car donation will help bridge the communication gap between our community and the public and private agencies that serve us.
Donate your car to MFAN online or by calling 877-957-2277!
Special Operations Warrior Foundation
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation works to provide full post-secondary educational support to surviving children of Special Operations Personnel and immediate financial assistance to severely wounded Special Operations Personnel. Your Special Operations Warrior Foundation car donation will help ensure every child of fallen Special Forces Personnel and children of Medal of Honor recipients receive an education.
Start your military car donation online or by calling 877-957-2277!
Best Animal Car Donation Charities
San Francisco SPCA
Founded in 1868, San Francisco SPCA is the fourth oldest humane society in the U.S. and has always been on the forefront in animal welfare, including founding the No-Kill movement. Your San Francisco SPCA car donation will help save and protect animals, provide care and treatment, advocate for their welfare and enhance the human-animal bond.
Donate your car to SF SPCA online or by calling 877-957-2277!
North Shore Animal League America
North Shore Animal League America is committed to helping animals in need find safe and loving homes. By donating a car to Animal League, you’ll help ensure that no animal goes unloved or uncared for.
To start your North Shore Animal League America car donation, you can fill out the online donation form or call 800-752-6462!
PetSmart Charities
PetSmart Charities help pets in need find loving families to call their own and supports pets and families through programs that make veterinary care more accessible, battle food insecurity, and provide disaster response. When you donate a car to PetSmart Charities, you will help save and transform the lives of pets across the nation.
Start your PetSmart Charities car donation online or by calling 877-957-2277!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best charity to donate a car to?
Choosing the right charity can be a daunting task, but several factors can help narrow down the options. Some of the best car donation charities include Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program, Special Olympics, CARE, UNICEF USA, Boston Children’s Hospital, Green Beret Foundation, PetSmart Charities, and the ALS Association.
Is it worth it to donate a car to charity?
Donating a car to charity is an easy way to get rid of a vehicle you no longer need while making a positive impact on the organization’s mission and the communities they serve. Your car donation can support programs and services that benefit individuals in need, such as providing food, shelter, education, healthcare, and other essential resources. When you donate a car to charity, you’re also eligible for a tax deduction. Check out our Tax Tips page for more information on your car donation tax deduction.
What do charities do with cars?
Donated cars are sold at auction or to licensed auto recyclers. The proceeds from the sale of car donations are returned to the charity.
How much can you write off if you donate a car?
The amount you can claim on your taxes is equal to the selling price of the car. If your car sold for over $500, you can claim the full selling price when itemizing taxes. If it sold for less than $500, you can claim the fair market value up to $499. Please consult with your tax advisor on the best way to claim your car donation tax deduction.
How do I donate a car that doesn’t run near me?
Visit our Charities page to select the nonprofit organization you’d like to donate your car to. The online donation form will ask for some information about your vehicle and where it will be picked up. After you submit the donation form, a towing agent will contact you within 2-3 business days to schedule your free car pickup. After your car is sold, you’ll be emailed a tax receipt.
Visit our full FAQ page for answers to more car donation questions.
Resources for Car Donation
It’s essential to conduct your own research and due diligence when selecting a charity for car donation. These resources can serve as a starting point, helping you make an informed decision and ensure that your donation goes to a reputable organization that maximizes its impact.
Charity Navigator: Charity Navigator is a widely trusted platform that evaluates and rates nonprofit organizations based on their financial health, transparency, and accountability. Use their search feature to find highly-rated charities that accept car donations.
Better Business Bureau: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides information and ratings on charities, including their accreditation status and any reported complaints. You can search their directory to find reliable charities for car donations.
IRS Guidelines for Vehicle Donations: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers valuable information regarding the tax implications of car donations. Their website provides guidelines on determining the value of your donated vehicle and the necessary documentation for claiming tax deductions.
State Attorney General’s Office: Check your state’s Attorney General’s Office website for resources and information on registered charities operating in your area. They may provide guidance on legitimate organizations and warn about known scams.