Finding the Right Charity

What to consider when looking for a charity:
There are many options when it comes to deciding which charity to give your used vehicle to. Below are some general guidelines to follow to ensure both you and the charitable organization get the most out of your donation.

The first thing to consider when choosing a charity is what’s important to you? Start by thinking of a cause you would deem worthy and begin looking for charities which support this cause, and will accept a donation in the form of a used car.

Ensure that your selected charity is registered and reputable:
More and more charities are now accepting donations in the form of used vehicles. It is important to only donate to a charity which is both registered, and has been well established. This can be done by contacting the Public Charities Division within your Government’s Treasury or Revenue Agency.

Stay away from the middle-man:
Many for-profit organizations will actually act as an agent between you and a charity. They will claim to handle the entire process, but will take a large percentage of the vehicle’s value which could have been given to you. This also devalues the donation the charity actually receives, so stay away from these scams.

Inquire about the details of your given vehicle:
A lot of charities will handle the difficult parts of donating your car, including pick up and paperwork. Ask if the organization you are considering donating to will arrange this for you. Also be sure to inquire what will be done with your vehicle, and what sort of value you can expect in return in the form of a tax receipt. Simply put, don’t give your used car to an organization that isn’t willing to answer your questions or provide you with information!

Hand over the title with your vehicle:
Be sure to change the ownership of your vehicle to the name of the charity and never agree to anything but this name. This can be done through the Government’s department of motor vehicles or licensing. By properly handing over ownership at the time of the transaction, this ensures nobody can use your vehicle to leave you response for fines and violations.

Make sure to receive a record of your donation:
Always ask for a record of your transaction in writing. Keep all related documents, and even pictures of your vehicle. You never know when these will come in handy!

For trying to locate a charity by state, have a look at our new Charity Directory

Now that you know how to select the right kind of charity, let’s have a look at what you can expect in return for your donation:

Step 4: Tax incentives and benefits

Topics: used car