Donating a van

Parent Cafe
1

<p>We need to get rid of an old 1992 minivan that is occupying driveway space for a while now. This was the kids’ school car that they sometimes use during the summer when visiting home but it basically sits idle the rest of the time. It actually runs pretty well, has only about 110,000 miles, and is in good shape but we are not having luck with our Craigslist ad. Now we are thinking it will be worthwhile to donate it, but many of the organizations that come up on my Web search seem like they may be scams. Has anyone had experience with a legitimate organization that would accept an old but running minivan?</p>

2

<p>I’ve donated two vehicles - the last to NPR. Lots of non-profits would love to have a car donated.</p>

3

<p>I hear ads from Jewish Family Services (or something like that) and a local Catholic shelter charity all the time requesting car donations. You might want to check that avenue.</p>

4

<p>My parents used to give all of their old cars to the local high school’s auto-mechanics class.</p>

5

<p>NPR donation here. It was really easy. Filled out info on line and they sent out a service to pick up the car and go over the paperwork.</p>

6

<p>We did it some years ago and I believe we used Donateacar.com which allows you to pick the charity of your choice from a list of charities. It was very easy.</p>

7

<p>I have also donated my car to our local public radio station. It was quick and easy, plus I love public radio & have felt guilt-free about listening. There are other organizations as well. Catholic Charities, churches and community organizations would probably love a car, as would schools that have the insurance and budget to maintain vehicles.</p>

8

<p>Donations to non profits are easy, we did it several years ago. Keep in mind that you will only be able to deduct what the organization gets for the donated vehicle. You may be better off lowering your price on craigslist.</p>

9

<p>If you have a St. Vincent de Paul Society around you, they are always in need of cars. We work with that organization and they accept used cars. They have a volunteer mechanic who repairs what needs fixing and then the cars are passed on to very needy people. There is a long list in need, but with people holding on to their vehicles longer, that list is growing longer. If you are unsure of where to start, call your local Catholic church and they can probably direct you. SVDP does not limit its help to Catholics. Any and all who are in need within their boundaries are able to inquire about getting help.</p>

10

<p>second the advice to contact local faith-based charities or a local house of worship, they typically know people that would benefit from your donation. </p>

<p>Another idea would be to contact battered women’s group - they may have a woman who fled an abusive relationship and needs everything to start over.</p>

11

<p>We’ve donated a couple of vehicles, but the IRS regs may have changed (again.) Please verify, but I think that if the van is sold to raise cash for the charity then you can only deduct the amount that the charity was paid for the van. OTOH, if the charity uses the vehicle to provide transportation, you can deduct its Blue Book value. The difference can be significant.</p>

<p>We live in an area with little public transit. There are organizations here that provide people with reliable vehicles so they’re able to work. They don’t have to be pretty, just safe and in good running condition. Maybe there’s a similar charity in your area.</p>

12

<p>Silpat is right. We donated our SUV to an organization that serves disabled adults. They used the vehicle to transport their clients. We had a certified appraisal done on vehicle ($150, I think) and were able to deduct the amount, which was very close to Blue Book and was far greater amount than if they had tried to sell it. (Big gas guzzler!) For the IRS, the organization had to sign form stating that they planned on using it for their purposes. I believe the form also stated they had to use for two years, or we would not be able to deduct full amount.</p>

<p>A legitimate organization should know the details…if not, I would not donate to them.</p>

13

<p>I called a local charity and ask why I should give them the car? They told me that they truck all the cars to Taxes boarder and get it fixed with cheap labor then sell it at a premium to the Mexicans so you get the maximum deduction.</p>

14

<p>We donated 2 cars to a children’s cancer charity in New Jersey. (Sorry I can’t remember the name.) The positives: 1. They picked up <a href=“http://i140.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/albums/r18/MarkandGracie/bybye%20saab/bysaab1.jpg[/url]”>http://i140.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/albums/r18/MarkandGracie/bybye%20saab/bysaab1.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<ol>
<li> They provided proper IRS tax form at the end of the year that was supposed to be their net auction proceeds. $ amount far exceeded my expectation. The other car was in such good shape they told us up front they would use it in the charity and not sell it at auction. Again, they provided proper IRS form that established our deductible amount.</li>
</ol>

15

<p>In our area, [Car</a> donation services, donate a car, vehicle donation, and more from Vehicles For Change](<a href=“http://www.vehiclesforchange.org/]Car”>http://www.vehiclesforchange.org/) is one charity that passes vehicles on to families that can’t afford wheels but desperately need them. The website reports that at tax time, donors will receive credit for the full market value of the vehicles donated. Perhaps there is an organization like this in your area.</p>

16

<p>We just donated an old Chevrolet station wagon that H was * meaning to fix up* when he had the time- .( like he needed another project)
The organization that handled it, auctions off the cars and then gives the money to the charity that you have chosen.
They actually got about double what I would have expected.</p>

17

<p>[10</a> Tips: How to donate a car to charity - Money - 10 Tips - TODAY.com](<a href=“http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26625209/ns/today-money/t/how-donate-car-or-boat-charity/#.TsahgIVRJe4]10”>http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26625209/ns/today-money/t/how-donate-car-or-boat-charity/#.TsahgIVRJe4)</p>

<p>Useful article, especially #6-9.
These 10 tips are from 2008, so I would double check with your accountant for any tax changes since then…</p>

18

<p>So many good suggestions! Thanks! NPR and the other charitable donation options seem very good with straightforward procedures and we will give that a try.</p>

<p>This forum always comes through for me. I know I am not a frequent poster but I visit religiously several times a day and feel like I know some of you.</p>

19

<p>Got full value when donated to public school auto program. (I was told they don’t fix up the car to resell…the just take it apart and put it together!) Also donated a car to American Cancer Society before tax laws changed.</p>

20

<p>Not a car but we once donated a seventeen foot ski boat to Goodwill.</p>