Midwest US Car Donations Tips

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Where can I find a comprehensive listing of Chicago car donations.

Chicago Guide Offers List of City Charities

The first step to making Chicago car donations is to learn about the charities active in the city. Check online for a comprehensive list of charities by organization and by neighborhood. One charity organization is Great Doings, which bills itself as Chicago`s "oldest, largest and most frequently visited repository for charity-related event information."
Great Doing will give donors a sense of the options for giving in Chicago. But it will be up to donors to contact these charities on their own to see if they have car donation programs.

   
What charities may I give to that operate in Michigan?

Look to the Office of the Attorney General for information on charities in Michigan.

Michigan's Office of the Attorney General maintains a list of charitable organizations operating in the state, and can provide potential donors with the names of and information on non-profits accepting vehicle donations.

   
How can I get background on charities when making a Michigan car donation?

Michigan Donors Beware When Making Car Donations

When making a Michigan car donation, it is wise to check with the Charitable Trust Section of the Michigan Attorney General's Office.
The office lets people know if a charity is licensed in Michigan to conduct solicitations. There have been reports nationally of businesses, including used car dealers, that try to pass themselves off as charities to get vehicle donations.
This is troublesome for donors, who cannot claim a tax deduction for the donation unless it is to a registered charity.
If you have doubts or suspicions when making a Michigan car donation, contact the Charitable Trust Section of the Michigan Attorney General's Office.
The office keeps contracts between charities and their fundraisers, the companies they hire to oversee car donations.

   
How do I arrange a car donation in Indiana?

The Indiana Motor Vehicles Department can provide additional information about transferring title and releasing liability when donating a car in Indiana.

Donate a Car for Charity provides vehicle pick-ups throughout the state of Indiana, including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, South Bend, Evansville, Elkhart, Marion, Rochester, Gary, Columbus, Bloomington, and Madison. In most cases, you must provide a clear title when you donate a vehicle in Indiana. Please consult the Indiana Motor Vehicles web site to determine procedures if you do not have a title. The Indiana MVD will also be able to provide you with more information on how and when to release the liability of your donated vehicle.

   
How do I arrange a car donation in Ohio?

The Ohio Motor Vehicle Department can provide additional information about transferring title and releasing liability when donating a car in Ohio.

Donate a Car for Charity provides vehicle pick-ups throughout the state of Ohio, including Cincinatti, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, Daton, Warren, Columbus, Findlay, Jackson, Beavercreek, Middletown, Youngstown, and Marion. In most cases, you must provide a clear title when you donate a vehicle in Ohio. Please consult the Ohio Motor Vehicle Department to determine procedures if you do not have a title. The Ohio MVD will also be able to provide you with more information on how and when to release the liability of your donated vehicle.

   
How do I arrange a car donation in Michigan?

Review Michigan's car donation procedures.

Car donation programs and services exist throughout Michigan, and vehicles donated in Michigan to a non-profit classified with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization are deductible from your federal income taxes. In most cases, the state of Michigan requires that the donor have the vehicle title. If you do not have title papers, you can apply for a duplicate title through the Department of Motor Vehicles. To release liability of your Michigan car donation, follow the same procedure as your would if you were selling the vehicle. Refer to Michigan's Department of Motor Vehicles web site for more details.

   
Does FCF pick up cars in my area?

Car donation by city: Chicago, IL

Chicago Car donations are subject to the same policies and procedures as car donations throughout Illinois. Donate a Car for Charity, part of the Family Care Foundation (FCF), an IRS-registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, offers vehicle pick-up in the Chicago area, as well as throughout Illinois and nationwide.

   
Does FCF pick up cars in my area?

Car donation by city: Minneapolis-St. Paul

Car donations in the Twin Cities area are subject to the same policies and procedures as car donations throughout Minnesota. Donate a Car for Charity, part of the Family Care Foundation (FCF), an IRS-registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, offers vehicle pick-up in Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding towns, as well as throughout the state of Minnesota and nationwide. Because of Family Care Foundation's extensive network in and around the Twin Cities, you can expect a free and prompt pick up of your vehicle.

   
Does FCF pick up cars in my area?

Car donation by city: Indianapolis, IN

Car donations in the Indianapolis area are subject to the same policies and procedures as car donations throughout Indiana. Donate a Car for Charity, part of the Family Care Foundation (FCF), an IRS-registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, offers vehicle pick-up in Indianapolis, as well as throughout the state of Indiana and nationwide. Because of Family Care Foundation's extensive network in and around Indianapolis, you can expect a free and prompt pick up of your vehicle.

   
What charities may I give to that operate in Illinois?

There is a range of organizations and causes you can support with a car donation in Illinois.

A few of the charities to which you can donate a vehicle in Illinois are the Allendale Association, the Alzheimer's Association, the Illinois Council of the Blind, National Catholic Aids Network and Protecting Animals, USA. Ask other local charities that you want to help if they accept vehicle donations directly or through a car donation service. Also, refer to the Illinois Attorney General's office for information on local charities eligible to receive cash and non-cash donations.

   
How do I arrange a car donation in Illinois?

Refer to the Illinois Vehicle Services web site for more details on car donation procedures.

Car donation programs and services exist throughout Illinois, and vehicles donated in Illinois to a non-profit classified with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization are deductible from your federal income taxes. In most cases, the state of Illinois requires that the donor have the vehicle title and transfer it to the charity. If you do not have title papers, you can apply for a duplicate title through Illinois Vehicle Services. To release liability of your donated vehicle in Illinois, follow the same procedure as your would if you were selling the vehicle. Refer to the Illinois Vehicle Services web site for more details.

   
What kind of charity should I seek for Chicago car donations?

Consider a Charity Rooted in its Community

Looking for an established charity for your Chicago car donations?
Consider a charity with a proven track record of serving the Chicago community.
Some charities with car donation programs are nationally based, and the proceeds may not benefit a specific city or its residents.
An example of a Chicago-based charity with strong ties to the city's diverse communities is public TV station WTTW, Channel 11.
WTTW11 has a variety of media – television, radio, print, online, and events. Most Chicagoans are familiar with it and its programs. So how does its car donation program work?
WTTW11 relies on member support whether its volunteering or donating a gift.
WTTW11 will accept unwanted cars, trucks, or motorcycles as donations. The vehicles are sold, with the proceeds supporting WTTW11 and its sister radio station, 98.7WFMT. To donate a vehicle, call toll free, 866-740-9889.

   
Where can I find a car donation service that is speedy and convenient?

National Car Donation Programs Focus on Convenience

Whether you are making New York car donations, Chicago car donations or Los Angeles car donations, there are nationwide services that focus on speed and convenience.
These large car donation clearinghouses focus on efficiency. They often represent dozens of charities, and most will pick up your vehicle anywhere in the country. They also provide forms donors need for tax deductions.
Pickup time often is one to two days after an application is made. Make sure you have your title handy, because you will need to transfer it. It's also a good idea to remove the license plates. National car donation organizations use auction houses to resell the vehicles and their parts. For donors seeking a convenient and quick way to donate their cars, national services make sense.

   
What is an example of a well-established Michigan charity that accepts car donations?

Michigan Kidney Foundation Accepts Car Donations

The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is a well-established charity that accepts Michigan car donations and keeps the proceeds in state for the causes it serves.
The foundation offers programs in education, patient services, research and organ donation awareness.
For a Michigan car donation, the kidney foundation works with a Detroit fundraiser to manage the program in southeastern Michigan.
The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan reports that it gets more than 70 percent of the proceeds for charitable work, which is higher than many car donation programs.

   
Does FCF pick up cars in my area?

Car donation by city: Detroit, MI

Car donations in the metropolitan Detroit area are subject to the same policies and procedures as car donations throughout Michigan. Donate a Car for Charity, part of the Family Care Foundation (FCF), an IRS-registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, offers vehicle pick-up in the Detroit area, including downtown Detroit, Novi, Pontiac, Waterford, Taylor, Dearborn, Livonia, Berkley, Warren, St. Clair Shores, Troy, Southgate, Township, West Bloomfield, Mount Clemons, Highland Park, Grosse Point Woods, Hazel Park, Oak Park, Royal Oak, Beverly Hills, Southfield, Eastpointe, Roseville and throughout the state of Michigan.

   
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