donate my car to charity near me
Please complete the online vehicle donation form below with information regarding the vehicle you would like to donate. Our partners will contact you by phone within 24 hours to help finalize your donation. If you prefer, you may contact us directly at 1-855-92 RC CAR (855-927-2227). Thank you for your support of the American Red Cross.
Making a Vehicle Donation is Quick and Secure
To get started, simply fill out the online form above or call 1-855-92 RC CAR (855-927-2227).
Our partners will pick up your vehicle at a time that works for you – at no cost to you.
We’ll send you a tax receipt and acknowledgement for your generous donation.
Our partners will sell your vehicle and the proceeds will support the mission of the American Red Cross.
donate my car to charity near me
What We Accept
Our partner, CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, can accept vehicles in almost any condition, whether they can be driven or not, in all 50 states. We accept many types of vehicle donations, including cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, boats, motorcycles, RVs, snowmobiles, jet skis, heavy equipment, farm equipment, tractors and more.
donate my car to charity near me
Your Car Donation Helps
Your car donation to the American Red Cross enables the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. Donating your car is a free service to you, and another great way to help us help others.
Frequently Asked Vehicle Donation Questions
How does the vehicle donation process work?
Making a vehicle donation is easy for donors. From start to finish, the process averages about 30 days. There are three simple steps:
Contact the Red Cross’ partner IAA using the online form above or thedonation line at 1-855-92RC CAR (1-855-927-2227).
One of our partner tow companies will pick up your vehicle at the most convenient time and location for you – at no cost to you.
You will receive a tax acknowledgement letter and the vehicle will be sold to provide support for the American Red Cross.
Why donate your vehicle to the American Red Cross?
As a donor, the program provides a cost-free way to dispose of your unwanted vehicle while getting a tax deduction. As a supporter, your donation to the Red Cross Vehicle Donation Program enables the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. Donating your vehicle is another great way to help us help others.
What is the Red Cross National Vehicle Donation Program?
The Red Cross Vehicle Donation Program provides another way for you to easily donate to the Red Cross. It also offers a tax-deductible way to dispose of unwanted vehicles in almost any condition. The program is available in all 50 states. It is not available in other countries served by the Red Cross. Regardless of the condition or location, the Red Cross vendor, CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), will work directly with you to arrange to pick up your vehicle at no cost to you, at a time convenient for you. We will provide the documentation you need for tax purposes and sell the vehicle for funds for the Red Cross. Revenue generated through the program enables the Red Cross to carry out its humanitarian mission locally, nationally and around the world.
donate my car to charity near me
What kind of vehicles can be accepted through the program?
The Red Cross Vehicle Donation Program can accept vehicles in almost any condition, in all 50 states. We accept many types of vehicles, including car donations, trucks of all sizes, SUVs, RVs, boats, motorcycles, snowmobiles, jet skis, tractors, farm equipment and other heavy equipment, and more.
What happens after my vehicle is picked up?
You will receive an acknowledgement letter that can be used as a vehicle donation tax receipt for tax deduction purposes. Generally within 30 days, your vehicle will be sold through one of our partner auction sites on behalf of the Red Cross. Once sold, additional tax documents may be provided when required by IRS regulations as a result of the sale value of the vehicle. Revenue from the sale is sent directly to the Red Cross to support our mission.
Are there cases where vehicles are rejected?
We can accept most vehicles, running or not. However, it must be in one piece, have an engine, and be tow truck accessible. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, call 1-855-92 RC CAR (855-927-2227). Our Donor Support Team is available seven days a week during regular hours of operation.
My family member died and I would like to donate their vehicle, but my name is not on the title. Can I proceed with donating the vehicle to the American Red Cross?
If you are the executor of your family member’s estate, we would be happy to work with you to accept the donation. Only the executor of the deceased person's estate can donate the vehicle to charity. Usually, the executor of one's estate is determined by the deceased person's will. If no executor has been appointed–perhaps because there was no will or because the vehicle is the only asset left behind–you will need to contact an attorney to start the process of having an executor appointed by the state. Once an executor is officially appointed, a legal document will be issued confirming that you have the legal ability to act on behalf of the deceased person. Once you have received this document, please give us a call to start the process. Our customer service representatives will let you know if any further paperwork is needed per state requirements.
Who is CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)?
The Red Cross partners with CARS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit because of its ability to provide consistent returns and services across the majority of the area served by the Red Cross. CARS handles the entire vehicle donation process on behalf of the Red Cross, from the initial call or online inquiry to providing the donor services once your vehicle is sold.
Vehicle Donation Tax Benefits
Donors to the American Red Cross Vehicle Donation Program can deduct the full sale value of their vehicle donation. At the time of pick-up, the tow operator will provide the donor with an initial tax receipt. Once the vehicle sells, our partner CARS, will mail the donor a Thank You letter with the final sale price and any additional tax paperwork for the donation. The tax receipt will provide all you need to receive full credit for the gross revenue received up to $500. If your vehicle is sold for more than $500, you may receive full tax credit if you complete and return the form that IAA provides as required by the IRS. If you have any issues or concerns at any point in the process, you may contact IAA at 855 92 RC CAR (927-2227).
Download Tax Documents
Please consult a tax professional for legal or tax advice regarding vehicle donations. Below is a list of IRS vehicle donation resources that provide further information regarding the tax benefits and liabilities of donating a car.
donate my car to charity near me
A Donor’s Guide to Car Donations
Charitable Contributions
Determining the Value of Donated Property
Non-Cash Charitable Contributions (Instructions)
Non-Cash Charitable Contributions
Instructions for Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats and Airplanes
Hear what our vehicle donors have to say
When Irene and Dennis Moore reach the end of the road with their cars and decide to replace them, the couple doesn’t trade them in; they roll them over to the American Red Cross.
“It’s an easy way to donate,” Irene said. “I appreciate the work the Red Cross does for so many people. It’s such a worthy cause.”
You could say the Moores have good karma with the Red Cross.
Over the past several years, Irene and Dennis have donated a total of four family cars – two minivans, an SUV and even a Cadillac. Irene is currently driving a 2012 Subaru and when that vehicle is ready for turnover, she’ll call the Red Cross again to come get it.
In return, supporters like the Moores, who donate a car to the Red Cross Vehicle Donation Program, receive a tax credit and don’t have to hassle with trade-ins at used lots or run classified ads to find a buyer. Instead, donors have the satisfaction of knowing proceeds from the sale of their vehicles are supporting the work of the Red Cross.
The couple became supporters of the Red Cross after their daughter needed a blood transfusion as an infant. Irene, a retired Northwestern University microbiologist from Evanston, thinks donating the cars sets a nice example for her teenaged children not to become attached to material things when they can be used to help someone in need.
donate my car to charity near me
The vehicle donation program has been an option to vehicle owners in the Moores’ home state of Illinois for many years. The program opened in 2013 to drivers in all 50 states through a partnership with the Donation Division of Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA).
Vehicles of all types are accepted including cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, snowmobiles, jet skis, tractors and more. Really, almost anything with a motor– in almost any condition. The Red Cross even accepts vehicles that don’t work.
