The Cars 4 Causes Blog.

As we gather for our families’ Thanksgiving dinners this week, we can’t help but think about those who are living in the streets of our own cities and towns. How can we help? Many caring people donate time at shelters, donate food, and volunteer to deliver food to homes or serve Thanksgiving dinner at shelters.

Car donations can help families in need, too. By choosing the charity that benefits from your car donation, you can directly help those in need in your community. Here at Cars 4 Causes®, we’re warmed at this time of year by the donations that we see being made in support of help for those in need of the basic necessities – food, clothing and shelter. We have many such charities on our current list of charities, and — if you don’t see the one you want your car donation to benefit — we are happy to add new charities. In fact, we do. Every day.

Here are just three of the many generous organizations that provide food and shelter.

The Central Downtown Food Basket in Sacramento, Calif., feeds seniors and low-income residents of the community all year long. They serve nearly 700 seniors and 1,500 families every month and do their best to provide healthful food. The group also provides warm clothing and hygiene product to those who need them.

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County helps provide food to those in need by working through a network of hunger-relief charities and community resources in the county. The Foodbank works to eliminate hunger on the local level by providing food and education through collaboration with others.

The McHenry House provides shelter to homeless families in transition to self-sufficiency in Tracy, Calif., and the surrounding area. In addition to temporary housing, the McHenry House provides counseling, guidance, employment referrals, financial planning assistance, medical care and addiction treatment and educational assistance for the children.

There are many ways to donate our time, money and resources. Donating a car is just one. But we’re happy to say that it can be a valuable one that provides funds to the organizations that help those most in need – not just during the holiday season, but all year long. So what are you waiting for? Donate car today!

Happy Thanksgiving. And thank you for giving!

Donating a car is a big step for most car donors, especially if you have not donated any vehicle previously. So, we do our best to answer lots of questions right here on our Website and to give you lots of information about Cars 4 Causes®, The Charity That Gives To Charities (R).

Regardless of how much we can tell you on a website, though, we know that often you’ll feel better informed if you can talk to someone who knows the vehicle donation process and who can guide you through it.

We have a knowledgeable staff on hand for just that purpose. You can call them at 800-766-2273 with your questions.  You can also initiate the process via our website, and then we’ll have someone call you to complete the process.

Overview of the Car Donation Process

Step One:  Submit a Vehicle Donation Form
Submit a vehicle donation form via our Website or contact us at 800-766-CARE (2273). At this point, you provide general information on the vehicle you wish to donate and select the charity organization you wish to benefit. (We accept most intact vehicles, whether they are running or not. No smog certificate is required.)

Step Two: Schedule a no-cost to the donor pick-up
Once you donate your car and it is accepted, one of our tow companies will pick up the vehicle at no cost to you (the donor), or you may drop off the vehicle at one of our car donation center lot locations.

Step Three: Cars 4 Causes® Sells your donated vehicle
The donated vehicle will be sold once we have a clear transferable title. A written acknowledgment will then be sent to you (the donor) for your contribution. You’ll keep this paperwork for your taxes. You’ll find more information on tax write-offs on our FAQ page.

Your Donation Makes a Difference

Whether your car donation is an old clunker or a newer vehicle, a boat, RV or other vehicle, donating it to charity helps those in need. So, please browse our website and get to know us, see our FAQs for answers to common questions, and call us at 800-766-2273.  We’re here to answer your questions. So what are you waiting for? Donate car today!

We can give you thousands of reasons to donate car to charity. They range the gamut from cleaning the garage, to making the neighbors happy, to contributing to world peace. And we’re taking a moment today to share some of them with you.

We’ve heard all these reasons and more during our many years here at Cars 4 Causes®, and they all make sense to us. Take a look at our list of reasons for making a car donation, and let us know if we missed any on your top list.

Our 13,405 Best Reasons to Donate a Car

1. Make the neighbors happy. If you own a car that’s just rusting away in your driveway or perennially parked in front of your house, you know your neighbors would love you to get rid of it. Make them happy; donate your car to charity and have it towed away.
2. Declutter. Get rid of the extra car that’s been taking up space in your garage. If you’re not using it, it’s time for that car to move on to its next driver. You get rid of a car you’re not using, and your charity benefits from your donation.
3. Save on annual car registration fees. If you’re not using a vehicle, why pay the annual registration, smog certification and insurance on it? Tally up all you can save by donating the vehicle to charity, and then choose the charity that benefits.
4. Simplify. An extra car in your life means one more major item to take care of. And if you’re at all interested in simplifying your life, what a difference getting rid of 2,000 pounds of steel can make!
5. Get a car donation tax deduction. We’ve written a bit about the opportunities for great tax write-offs this year. If you missed it, check out our blog, Cars 4 Causes Adds it Up: Two Automobile Tax Deductions this Year!
6. through 13,400.  Charities benefit from your car donation. We see this effect every day in our work at Cars 4 Causes®, and it is heart-warming. Our current list of charities includes over 13,400 organizations, and the list is always growing.

As we see it, that adds up to 13,400 deeply satisfying reasons to donate a vehicle.

Fundraising for education is dear to the heart of Cars 4 Causes®. As most of our car donators, friends and fans now know, our first efforts were all about raising funds for schools. Our story began in the classroom and then branched out into so many worthwhile directions that we became known as “The Charity That Gives To Charities(R).”

We have been amazed by the many charities that serve people and causes around the world and proud to be partnered with so many of them. There are many that provide help to schools and fill other educational needs. You’ll find several on our webpage listing of charities.  We think they’re all terrific, and here are a few examples:

Donating Cars to Education

The Youth Science Center helps kids explore and learn to love science and math, with exhibits, interactive learning programs, and hands-on learning experiences. The Center offers math, science and technology classes for students grades K-8, all with the goal of improving math and science education.

What’s In Your Lunch Box is a collaboration of doctors, professionals, interns and students who provide support to families living with autism. The organization hosts interactive education and training workshops on diet and nutrition, adaptive physical exercise and advocacy, all designed to help families manage and overcome the unique challenges and barriers of feeding children on the Autism Spectrum.

Harley School is a Rochester, New York, independent private school for children from the nursery through Grade 12. Harley School focuses on nurturing the unique strengths of each student, while striving to foster a love of learning, creative imagination and a desire for intellectual achievement.

These are three very different charities with one thing in common that touches every parent’s heart: they all exist to help our children. So do the many other educational institutions and organizations listed in our list of charities. Take a look, and see the many ways a car donation can make a difference in a child’s life.