# Has anyone ever donated a car to charity? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 23, 2001, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838 "2001-06-23T01:01:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![blur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@blur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blur)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/21 "2001-06-25T05:19:22Z")
I swear I replied to this when I got to work… Right now we are looking at some local charities. I’m leaning towards not giving it to the local fire dept. or tech schools, because the car runs and only needs minimal engine work to be totally reliable again. ---
**Author:** ![Lyllyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@Lyllyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyllyan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/22 "2001-06-25T05:37:03Z")
We gave a van to a childrens’ home last year. You might check into any in your area. ---
**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/23 "2001-06-25T17:26:12Z")
We donated a dying car to a charity once. It turns out that a lot of charities, at least in our area, actually see very little of the value of that car. They contract with a wrecking service who gives them something like $75.00 for each car they get, and they pocket whatever profit they can make from it (fixing it, gutting it for parts, etc). You may want to investigate a little more before you decide who you want to go with… ---
**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/24 "2001-06-25T17:40:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by frogstein \* > **they pocket whatever profit they can make from it (fixing it, gutting it for parts, etc).** I realized my response was unclear. **They** refers to the wrecking company, not the charity. ---
**Author:** ![Grok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Grok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grok)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/25 "2001-06-25T18:12:06Z")
I donated one once to a name charity. Worked out well. It was a heap that didn’t even run anymore. I could have gotten $50 for it from a junkyard, but I thought this would be a nicer way of disposing of it. They came and took it. No effort required from me. ---
**Author:** ![blur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@blur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blur)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2001, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/26 "2001-06-27T01:13:38Z")
Well, we’re done. We found a local woman’s charity that has a deal with a mechanic to fix the few problems the car has for free, then the charity will use the car to do what it needs with, either sell or use it. Thanks for every one’s suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2001, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/27 "2001-06-27T05:26:23Z")
Here in the South Jersey area, the Salvation Army will accept donated automobiles, also gifts of real estate and appreciated securities. Generally, any asset of recognized practical value can be donated to an established name charity…all you have to do is offer the item. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2001, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/28 "2001-06-27T13:33:59Z")
I’ve donated cars to the local tech school (the ones that are going to take work to get them to run), and a local organization that helps people move from welfare to work (often lack of transportation is a big problem for these people) when the car was in pretty good mechanical shape. Often a call to the United Way will provide a list of charities that accept cars, and they may be able to point you to the best use of your car. ---
**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/29 "2001-09-05T15:49:38Z")
I know this thread is old, but I remembered it when I came across this [article](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,33452,00.html) that talks about shady people taking advantage of people looking to donate cars. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/30 "2001-09-05T16:43:23Z")
Good point frogstein, I donated a car in July. Make sure they give you a receipt and that the title is turned over to the charity (that is, make sure the state knows ownership has changed). It worked out fine for me, but a lot of bad things could happen. You might also want to ask to make sure the charity gets a good value for the car. ---
**Author:** ![Kamandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@Kamandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamandi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/31 "2001-09-05T16:52:53Z")
Thanks for the bump, **frogstein**. I’m looking to donate my car in a few weeks. This thread’s been mighty helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Darqangelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@Darqangelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darqangelle)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838/32 "2001-09-05T17:04:45Z")
I once tried to donate my Montezuma FRT to the blind… they wouldn’t take it. (okay, bad joke) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-donated-a-car-to-charity/69838.md?page=1)