Posted by Car Donation Los Angeles 2022: The Biggest Car Donation Companies Worth Checking Out
What is Auto Donation and Why is it a Good Idea?
Auto donation is a good way to save time, money, and effort. It has been proven to be effective in increasing the number of donations.
The benefits of auto donation are numerous and vary depending on the cause. In order for it to be successful, you need to find the right match between your charity’s goals and your personal goals.
Auto donation is an easy way of donating money without having to worry about keeping track of your donations or remembering when they should be made.
Why Don’t You Give Your Car Away?
Giving your car away is a great way to make some cash. But, you will have to be careful about what you do with the money that you get from selling your car.
The truth is that most people don’t give their cars away because of the following reasons:
1. They think they won’t get enough money for it
2. They worry about getting in trouble with the law or getting pulled over by the police
3. They think they won’t be able to find a buyer for it.
Top 10 Car Donation Companies in Los Angeles
Here are the Best car donation charities in Los Angeles 2022;
- American Diabetes Association
- Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program
- Charitable Adult Rides & Services
- Donate A Car
- Goodwill
- Habitat for Humanity
- National Kidney Foundation
- The Arc
- Volunteers of America
- Wheels For Wishes
1. American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association strives to prevent, treat, and improve the lives of those who have diabetes.
It works with a car donation business to sell your donated automobile at auction after you donate it. The money raised is used to support the organization’s programs. If your car isn’t running, the organization will recycle it for the scrap metal and parts it contains.
Call the American Diabetes Association at 800-ADA-6570 (800-232-6570) or fill out the online form on its website’s car donation page to donate your vehicle. Within three to four days, a representative will call you to arrange free pickup of your vehicle.
We’ll send you an acknowledgment letter of the sale when your vehicle sells for more than $500. We’ll include your VIN and date of sale, along with the gross proceeds and a certificate or your personal donation to the American Diabetes Association.
Read: 10 Best Car Donation Charities for Veterans (FREE)
2. Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program
The revenues from the sale or recycling of your vehicle are used to benefit your local NPR station through the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program. NPR is a non-profit media institution that investigates local and national news and human-interest stories.
The Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program is a remnant of the public radio program Car Talk. Until one of the brothers died in 2014, the show was presented by a couple of brothers who answered listeners’ weekly inquiries regarding autos. The automobile contribution program, on the other hand, is still going strong as a method to express support for public radio.
To donate your vehicle, call 877-215-0227 or fill out the online form on the charity’s website. A representative will contact you to arrange a free pickup time that is convenient for you. You don’t even have to be present if the title has already been given to the charity or if you’ve left it in the glove box for them.
If the charity sells your donated vehicle at auction or recycles it for scrap metal or parts, you will receive either a sales receipt or an IRS form 1098C within 30 days of the sale, depending on the sale price of your vehicle.
3. Charitable Adult Rides & Services
CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides vehicle donations to other charities. As a result, it’s a one-of-a-kind combination of vehicle dealership and philanthropic organization. It also has a program called On the Go that gives food and transportation to elderly.
The program allows you to donate your vehicle to any charity of your choice, regardless of whether or not that charity is currently a CARS partner organization. They will also accept any vehicle.
CARS works with over 400 vendors across the United States to sell your vehicle once you donate it. Auctions, individual buyers, and salvage yards are examples of this. The organization selects the retailer where it believes the item will sell for the highest price, increasing your selected charity’s donation and your tax deduction.
To donate your vehicle, fill out the online donation form or contact 855-500-RIDE (7433) to arrange a free pick-up time that is convenient for you. It may be able to pick up your vehicle the same day you call.
The agent who picks up your vehicle gives you a donation receipt. If your vehicle sells for less than $500, you’ll receive a thank you letter from the recipient charity within 30 days of the sale. CARS will also send you a 1098C if it sells for more than $500.
4. Donate A Car
Donate A Car is not a charitable organization in and of itself. Insurance Auto Auctions Donation Division, a North American auto auction corporation, offers a vehicle donation service. It picks up and auctions off your car, and you can choose which of its 300 charity partners will benefit from the proceeds. Donate A Car, unlike the scammers to be careful of, donates 70% or more of the sale price to its partner charity.
Among the charities that have partnered with us are:
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Animal welfare organizations
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Charities dedicated to curing or assisting people suffering from specific illnesses such as lupus, diabetes, or cancer
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The Red Cross, for example, is a general humanitarian charity.
To choose your cause, go to their website. Then, using your contact information and the vehicle you’d like to donate, fill out a donation form. Alternatively, contact 800-237-5714. You don’t have to be there when a representative from Donate A Car comes to pick up your car for free the next day.
Donate A Car will mail you a receipt about five days after a representative takes up your vehicle. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, you will receive a Form 1098-C within 30 days of the transaction.
5. Goodwill
Goodwill is one of the most popular sites to donate unwanted home goods, with over 3,200 locations across the US. When it comes to donating their used cars, it may not be the first place that comes to mind. Goodwill, on the other hand, enthusiastically accepts donated cars and vehicles of all kinds, including commercial and fleet vehicles.
Goodwill uses the earnings from the sale of donated cars for employment training and job placement programs, just like it does with the used clothing and home goods it sells in its donation stores. Individuals with impairments, those with minimal job history, participants of government assistance programs, those with language problems, and people who have undergone business downsizing are all served by Goodwill.
To donate your car, go to Goodwill’s car donation website and fill out the online form, or call 866-233-8586 to schedule a free pickup. Within 30 days of selling your vehicle, Goodwill will send you a tax-deductible donation receipt or a Form 1098-C, depending on the vehicle’s sale price.
6. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds homes for persons in need in the United States and around the world. Donating an automobile to Habitat for Humanity helps the organization support its operations, such as the procurement of supplies for building and repairing homes for low-income people.
Habitat for Humanity, which uses Car Donation Wizard to resell donated vehicles, has one of the highest percentages of proceeds from vehicle sales going directly to their initiatives, with 78 percent to 86 percent going to their projects. Vehicles that aren’t eligible for auction are sent to salvage yards, where they are compressed into steel beams that are used to construct houses. Learn more by visiting the charity’s commonly asked questions page about car donations.
Use their online form to donate your automobile or truck. Call the organization at 877-277-4344 to donate any other sort of car. Your vehicle will be picked up for free by a representative. Habitat for Humanity will give you an appreciation letter with the sale price within 30 days of the sale of your car, which you can include with your tax return.
7. National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation strives to raise kidney disease awareness. It also offers assistance and advice to kidney patients and their families, as well as funding treatment and prevention research.
The organization sells your car at auction to raise funds for its activities after you give it. If your car isn’t running, it will be recycled for components by the foundation.
Call the National Kidney Foundation at 800-488-CARS (2277) or fill out the form on their website’s donor page to donate your car. Then, whenever it’s most convenient for you, schedule a free pickup time. Most automobiles can be picked up within 24 hours.
You will receive a letter of confirmation within a week of donating your vehicle in order to fund the well-being for someone in need. Within 30 days, you will either get a sales receipt or Form 1098-C from the charity, depending on the sale price.
8. The Arc
The Arc is the nation’s largest community-based organization dedicated to advocating for and serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families of all ages. Job training, supported employment, transportation services, transition planning, and early intervention are all part of its comprehensive array of programs and services. They also include health services, travel programs, technology development funds, and even legal defense aid.
Melwood, a nonprofit organization that provides job training and employment to people with disabilities, manages its vehicle donation program. From the initial contact with the donor until the payment of the sale revenues to the charity, the Melwood Charity Car Donation Center manages car donations.
Fill out the online form or call 877-MELWOOD (877-635-9663) to schedule a free pickup appointment for your vehicle. You are not need to be present when a salesperson picks up your vehicle. Most automobiles can be picked up within 72 hours.
Melwood will give you three different receipts. When the towing firm picks up your vehicle, you’ll get the first one. Melwood will send you an official letter thanking you for your donation after the towing business has informed Melwood that the vehicle is in their custody.
The IRS requires that the value of your vehicle on the date of the sale be recorded on a form 1098-C. The form will include information about the amount of tax you can deduct for your records.
9. Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a non-profit organization that helps people in a variety of ways.
It helps at-risk youth, those with impairments, and people who are homeless. It also meets basic requirements like food and clothing for those who are poor or without resources, such as those who have been affected by natural catastrophes.
It also gives them access to mental health services, such as substance abuse treatment. Homeless persons, veterans, and formerly jailed people can all benefit from the organization’s housing help.
Call the charity at 833-300-5737 to donate your vehicle, or go to their website’s donor page and fill out the online form. You can have your vehicle picked up without paying any additional costs, and you’ll receive a donation receipt for tax-deduction purposes within 30 days of the sale of your vehicle.
10. Wheels For Wishes
Wheels For Desires is an automobile donation initiative that aids the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with serious illnesses. Granting these desires can be the spark of hope that provides children and their families the fortitude to continue during a tough time, as mentioned in the charity’s goal.
Fill out the online form or call 855-278-9474 to arrange a free pickup time that is convenient for you. Wheels For Wishes mails you a receipt of donation for your vehicle shortly after you donate it. You’ll receive a Form 1098-C showing the sale price of your vehicle within 30 days of it being sold.
Read: How to Donate Cars for Tax Credit
11. Your Local High School or Vocational College
Giving an automobile to a local high school or vocational college serves as a test subject for an auto mechanics lesson. Donated vehicles are extremely beneficial for learning at schools that have these programs. However, finding out which institutions accept donations necessitates some investigation.
Begin by contacting the administration offices of each of your local high schools or vocational schools to inquire about their auto shop programs. Then, by contacting directly with the shop teacher or program director, discover if your car is qualified for donation. It’s worth noting that certain programs only use American vehicles.
If you wish to take a tax deduction, make sure the school is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. You can only deduct charitable contributions to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, according to the IRS.
Then figure out how to get the car to the school. You can drive it over if the car works. If you don’t, one disadvantage of this donation option is that you’ll have to pay to have it towed.
Transfer the title to the school, ensuring sure that the title and keys are delivered to the person who will be responsible for the car. Then wait for your donation receipt to arrive. A receipt indicating the value of your donation will be prepared and sent to you by someone from the school.
Alternatively, you can search for educational NGOs, such as high schools and colleges, on established automobile donation websites like Cars2Charities. This allows you to skip the DIY method entirely and have Cars2Charities’ parent company, Riteway Charity Services Inc., a well-known car donation program, handle the donation process for you, including free pick-up and handling of any title issues, even if your local school isn’t on the partner charity list.
However, if you take this route, your car will be auctioned or sold to a salvage yard for scrap metal and parts, and the money will be donated to the school instead of the car.
How Do Car Donation Process Happen and How Much Does it Cost?
Car donation process is a process that helps people who want to donate their old car to charity.
The process of donating an old car is not difficult and can happen in three steps:
1. A person comes up with the idea of donating their car to charity,
2. They contact a charity that accepts cars for donation, and
3. They donate their car and get a tax receipt for the value of the vehicle at the time it was donated.
The cost of donating a car varies depending on what type of vehicle it is, how much it’s worth, how long ago it was donated, and where it’s being donated to. The average cost per vehicle is between $200-300 dollars, but some charities may offer discounts or other incentives for donations.
What are the Best Ways to Get a Free Vehicle?
The following are the best ways to get a free vehicle.
Car rental companies have been around for a while and they have made car ownership both easy and affordable. However, with the advent of technology, car ownership has become more expensive than it used to be. Most people either buy a new car or lease a new car that they then own, but this can be expensive. If you want to get your hands on a free vehicle with little to no effort on your end, then use these:
– Free car donations
– Free car giveaways
– Car donation services
How to Determine the Value of a Vehicle Before You Donate it away?
There are many ways to determine the value of a vehicle before you donate it away. Some of these ways include:
– Using the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) to determine the current market value.
– Using an online service like Autotrader.com to find out what similar vehicles are selling for on the open market.
– Looking up recent listings on eBay or Craigslist and seeing what the prices are for similar cars.
First Things to Do After Selling Your Car in Los Angeles
After selling your car, the first thing you should do is contact a reputable car dealer and see what they have to offer.
After selling your car, the first thing you should do is contact a reputable car dealer and see what they have to offer. You can also check out our guide on how to sell your used car for more information.
Making the Most Out of Auto Donation Services in Los Angeles County
Auto donation services have been around for a while. They are becoming more and more popular as people realize the ease of doing their good deed.
It’s important to make sure that you are giving your money to a trustworthy organization. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of auto donation services in Los Angeles County.
– Check if the organization is accredited by the BBB or Better Business Bureau
– Contact the charity about their mission, what they do, and how much they spend
– Ask for a receipt when you donate so you know where your money went
– Check if there is a phone number listed on their website.
The Best Ways to Get an Instant Cash Offer on a Junk or Scrap Car in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a city that has a lot of cars on the road. This makes it difficult for people to sell their old, broken-down cars. The best way to get rid of these junk or scrap cars is by selling them online. It’s easy to find an online company that will pay cash for your car.
The following are some of the best ways to sell your car:
– Sell your car on Craigslist
– Sell your car via eBay Motors
– Sell your car via AutoTrader
– Sell your car through a private sale.
Steps to Select a Legitimate Car Donation Charity
Step #1: Check if the charity is legitimate
The first step in entrusting your keys to a charity is to ensure that they are reputable.
Checking the charity’s registration status is the most critical step. You should double-check if the IRS has designated the group as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Now, it’s great if the charity mentions their charitable status on their website or on social media, but that’s not enough.
To double-check, go to the IRS website and type in the charity’s name. Here are the results of a Vets Vehicles search:
You should also look up the charity on sites like Charity Navigator or Charity Watch to check if it has a strong track record of delivering on its promises.
Step #2: Make sure a minimum of 80% proceeds go to charity
It’s not uncommon to be concerned about where charitable gifts are spent. How can you be certain that the charity will make the most of your donation and that it will benefit those in need?
Because many car donations now go through third-party websites or organizations, you must ensure that at least 80% of the vehicle’s entire worth goes to the charity of your choice—not the third party.
Step #3: Crosscheck all paperwork provided
Apart from helping a worthy cause, the most crucial aspect of your car donation is completing the paperwork correctly.
After all, if the charity to whom you donate your car does not supply you with the necessary documents, you will be unable to claim the donation as a tax deduction at the end of the year.
When it comes to car donation papers, the following are the most crucial factors to remember:
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If your vehicle contribution is worth more than $250, the IRS requires you to have written confirmation from your chosen charity. Your name, vehicle identification number, and donation date must all be included on the paperwork.
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If your car is worth more than $500 but less than $5000, you must complete Section A of IRS Form 8283 and attach it to your tax return.
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You must receive an independent evaluation and complete Section B of Form 8283 if your car is valued more than $5,000.
It may seem like a lot, but if you need a rough market value for your automobile, the Hearst Black Book, Kelley Blue Book, or the National Auto Dealers Association can help.
When the charity picks up the automobile or you send it off, CNBC’s Andrew Osterland recommends that you sign over the title of the car to the organization and have a representative sign it as well.
“If someone is picking the car up, have them sign the title and take a photocopy of it,” he says.
“People have been on the hook for liabilities on donated cars that were not properly signed over to a new owner.”
Step #4: Choose charities that don’t charge towing fees
The majority of the charities on our list will take up your automobile for free, which is exactly what you should look for when considering donating your vehicle.
Not only will it be more convenient than driving the car to the charity of your choice, but you’ll also save money because some charities charge removal or towing costs.
Step #5: Choose charities that accept direct car donations
Choosing a charity with whom you can directly communicate is the simplest method to ensure that you get the most out of your car contribution.
Although third-party contribution platforms are handy and claim that 80% of your money will go directly to the charity, most organizations now offer online donations as well as specialized customer service teams who can help you set up direct donations.
Donating your car directly to the organization is also the greatest approach to ensure that the organization receives the best potential price for it. While it’s inconvenient, some third-party providers sell cars at a lesser price since they aren’t as motivated as the charity to receive the greatest price for the vehicle. According to reports, certain attorney general offices have filed lawsuits against car donation program operators, accusing them of misrepresenting themselves as charity when they were, in fact, for-profit organizations.
The best advise we can give is to conduct your research and, if feasible, donate directly to your favorite organization.