There are many charitable organizations that can benefit from donated vehicles like cars, trucks, RVs, boats, yachts, motorhomes and trailers. Regardless of what state you live in, you can easily find a charity that can accept your vehicle and turn it into something valuable. There are several ways a charity may choose to use a donated car or other vehicle. Identify a charity you resonate with to donate your vehicle to. Once you learn about the different causes that can benefit from donated cars, trucks or other vehicles, you can then decide the charity will receive your donated vehicle.
How Charities Make Use of Vehicle Donations
There are a number of ways a charity may process a donated car, truck or other vehicle. The following are some of the most common ways:
Direct use. Charities may use vehicles in good condition in their work. This may include transporting staff, volunteers or constituents as part of carrying out their mission.
Secondary use. Charities may also elect to gift or resell (at a discount) the vehicle to their constituents who need a vehicle for transportation.
Resale value. Charities often will resell the vehicle — either as-is or for parts — and reinvest the proceeds back into their charitable mission.
Finding a Charity and Making Your Vehicle Donation
If you are deciding where to make a car donation in Texas, on the East or West Coast, contact the IRS to verify charitable status or search online for charities in your state that accept vehicle donations. Then you can select a charitable cause and contact that charity to arrange for the donation.
Types of Charities That Accept Vehicle Donations
A number of different charitable causes make good use of vehicle donations. Subsequently listed are some of the most common charitable causes that accept donated cars, trucks and other vehicles.
Children’s charities. Children’s charities definitely need vehicle donations. The vehicles may be used for transportation or resold to provide proceeds to fund the charitable mission. From children’s charities that address infant and childhood disease to charities that provide tutoring and after school care to fostering services, your vehicle will go to a good cause if you donate it to a children’s charity.
Educational institutions. Schools can use donated vehicles in a variety of ways. Vehicles in good condition may be auctioned during fundraisers or at vehicle auctions to raise funds. Other vehicles may be used for students to learn valuable skills, such as mechanics and repair shop skills. Other vehicles may be used as transportation for students and staff.
Faith-based organizations. In a similar fashion to educational institutions, faith-based organizations can make great use of donated vehicles.
Health and disease support organizations. Health and disease support organizations often transport patients and loved ones to and from support groups and doctor appointments.
Research foundations. Research foundations often receive donated vehicles and auction or resell them and reinvest proceeds from the sale into their research efforts.
Animal and nature organizations. Animal and nature organizations may use them to conduct nature trips for students, study wildlife in their natural habitat, resell them for proceeds to continue their work or a combination of the above.
Third-Party Donation Services
In addition to direct donation to a charity you agree with, you may also donate your vehicle to a third-party recipient who manages vehicle donations for a number of charities. You can often specify the charitable category or the specific charity you wish your donation to benefit.
With this information, you can select the type of charity to donate your vehicle to and begin the process of making your donation happen.
About the Author: Cynthia Hatley is the development director for a charity that works to better the lives of people and animals. She accepts several vehicle donations each month.
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