When you start the process of looking for a car donation organization worthy of your loving vehicle it can be ascary process with so much negative press surrounding car donation organizations. Car Donation Foundationd/b/a Wheels For Wishes prides itself on its honesty as to where the money from your vehicle donation is distributed. There should be no doubt in your mind that Wheels For Wishes is a registered 501(c)(3) car donation organization. If you are wanting to learn more about Wheels For Wishes or other charity organizations, the best place to start is Guidestar. This will give you a glass door look into nonprofits you might be thinking of donating to. Wheels For Wishes was granted Guidestar's gold seal of transparency. Also, check out Wheels For Wishes reviews on TrustPilot.
Where Does The Money From My Car Donation Go?
Car donation organizations get scrutinized the most because of all the overhead costs that are associated with a donated vehicle. Legitimate car donation organizations such as Wheels For Wishes have many working parts to make sure everything goes smoothly and that the charities are receiving the most profit from your donated vehicle.
When you donate your vehicle to Wheels For Wishes, approximately 32 percent of the profit from the vehicle goes to the benefiting charities. You might find that percentage shocking. There are many working parts behind every car donation. Here is where the other 68 percent of the proceeds go.
- Towing and auction fees
- Advertising costs to promote the car donation charity
- Administrative fees, making sure the process runs smoothly and there is no misunderstanding with the title documents for the vehicle
The better shape the vehicle is in, the higher percentage of the sale can go to local chapters of Make-A-Wish. There is a minimum fixed cost with each vehicle that is donated. We want to make sure that we are as transparent as possible with our donors so you understand that we are legit. If you have any question before you donate, don’t hesitate and give us a call 1-855-278-9474. We have vehicle donation experts waiting to answer your questions. This way you don’t have any reservation about making your donation.
How Much Of An Impact Will I Make?
With a car donation like yours, you can help add to the over $47 million already donated to local chapters of Make-A-Wish all over the U.S. We hope you have faith in knowing that your car donation is helping make a child’s wish come true. Since our start in 2010, we have helped over 13,760 wishes come true. You can take a look at some of our thank you letters we have received from Make-A-Wish chapters on the Car Donation Foundation Web page. This is another great way to show you that your donation does make a difference in a child’s life.
Who Is Car Donation Foundation?
As you are reading through the Wheels For Wishes website you might see Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. In other words, Car Donation Foundation is doing business as Wheels For Wishes. Car Donation Foundation also operates as Vehicles For Veterans and Wheels For Wishes & Wellness. These three car donation programs benefit many causes all over the United States. Some of these programs including Make-A-Wish, various veterans’ charities, children’s charities and hospitals.
Why Donate?
Wheels For Wishes makes the donation process as easy as possible with great customer service waiting by the phones to answer your questions. You can fill out our easy online vehicle donation form or you can give us a call and we can help with your donation over the phone. We understand that when you have a vehicle that you no longer need, the thought of trying to sell it can be disheartening. That why we want this process to go as smooth as possible for you. Wheels For Wishes strives to be as transparent as possible with you. To make sure that you understand that we are a legitimate 501(c)(3) car donation organization.
When you donate to us you will receive a great tax-deductible receipt starting at $500 (click here for more tax information). That isn’t even the best part of donating to Wheels For Wishes. You will make a child with critical illnesses be able to live their wildest dreams. You can have faith knowing that your car donation not only helps a child keep fighting their illness. It also let the family come together outside of the hospital walls and doctors’ appointments. You are giving a child the chance to feel normal even if it is just for one day your car donation makes a huge difference.
FAQs
Potential donors should ask the fundraiser for the charity's exact name, website and mailing address so they can independently confirm the information. Use TEOS to verify if an organization is a legitimate tax-exempt charity. Don't give in to pressure.
Who is the best charity to donate a car to? ›
Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities are some of the best charities to which you can donate a car. The absolute best charity is the one that supports a cause you care for. What vehicles can you not donate? You can't donate vehicles that you don't own.
Do I need to notify my local motor vehicle division when I donate my vehicle? ›
Please only notify your state after the vehicle is picked up. This step may be required by the State and may include surrendering the license plates. The steps needed to release your liability of a donated vehicle vary by state.
Which car company donates the most to charity? ›
Top Auto Manufacturers Contributors
Rank | Contributor | Total to Candidates & Parties |
---|
1 | General Motors | $2,670,342 |
2 | Ford Motor Co | $2,499,036 |
3 | Toyota Motor Corp | $1,804,823 |
4 | Tesla Inc | $742,391 |
17 more rows
How do I confirm my donation? ›
How do you acknowledge a donation?
- The name of your donor.
- The full legal name of your organization.
- A declaration of your organization's tax-exempt status.
- Your organization's employer identification number.
- The date the gift was received.
- A description of the gift and the amount received.
What is the website to verify charities? ›
You can use Charity Navigator to find and support thousands of charities that align with your passions and values. We use data from the IRS, partners, and the charities themselves to power our unbiased ratings so that you can give with confidence.
Is donating a car worth the tax write-off? ›
Donating your car to charity can result in significant tax savings if you include it in your charitable contribution deduction. However, doing a little planning will ensure that you maximize the tax savings of your donation.
Is the car donation foundation legitimate? ›
Car Donation Foundation also operates as Vehicles For Veterans and Wheels For Wishes & Wellness. These three car donation programs benefit many causes all over the United States. Some of these programs including Make-A-Wish, various veterans' charities, children's charities and hospitals.
What method is used to determine the value of a donated car? ›
You need to take into account your car's physical condition, mileage, and features, as well as the area used-car market. The best method for determining the FMV is paying for a written appraisal from an independent, qualified appraiser prior to donating the car.
Does the donor car need to be on? ›
One last thing: make sure both vehicles are turned off. While it isn't necessarily dangerous to keep the donor car running, it negates the risk of potentially dropping the starter cables into a running belt or fan.
Attached to the top of your California title should be a "Release of Liability/Notice of Transfer" form which you can tear off, complete with the name of the organization or individual you are giving the car to, sign, and mail to the address indicated.
Do I need to notify DMV if I donate my car in California? ›
You must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) for the vehicle record to be updated. A NRL must be submitted within five (5) days from the date you sell, give away, donate, or otherwise dispose of a vehicle.
Is free charity car legitimate? ›
Yes. FCC does award vehicles to other 501-C-3 non-profit charities. Your organization may create a profile for your organization and if you are selected you may elect to receive a vehicle for your organization or refer a client to FCC to receive the vehicle.
What is the number one charity in the United States? ›
INTRODUCTION
Charity Name | Category | Brand Awareness Rank |
---|
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Medical | 1 |
Salvation Army | Domestic Needs | 2 |
Boys & Girls Club of America | Youth | 3 |
American Heart Association | Health | 4 |
96 more rows
Which charity helps the poor the most? ›
Poverty-Fighting Charities Help 719 Million People Live With Greater Dignity
- Habitat for Humanity International. ...
- CARE. ...
- Bay Area Community Services, Inc. ...
- York Street Project. ...
- Lifting Hands International. ...
- Project Hawaii. ...
- Entryway. ...
- Refuge for Women.
How do I verify charitable donations? ›
If you are not sure whether your donation is tax-deductible, verify the charity's 501(c)(3) status with the Attorney General's website or the IRS website.
How do I scan the QR code for donations? ›
When donors scan a QR code, it automatically directs them to a designated donation page or form where they can securely contribute funds. The QR code serves as a convenient shortcut to access the donation process swiftly and effortlessly.