Donating Your Car To Charity Is Easy As 1...2...3!

Step 1
Call or go online to describe the vehicle and arrange a pickup. Takes less than 5 minutes!

Step 2
You car is towed for free, at the time of your choosing. It doesn't matter if it runs or not!

Step 3
You receive a receipt for a deductable donation, and you help a good cause!

Donating your car in San Luis Obispo, California has never been easier! Dozens of great charities like Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and Goodwill International are standing by!

Just Want It Gone?

Our Favorite Hassle-Free Charities For San Luis Obispo County, California

The Wounded Warrior Project
Call or go online to describe the vehicle and arrange a pickup. Takes less than 5 minutes!

Matching Donors (Organ Donation)
You car is towed for free, at the time of your choosing. It doesn't matter if it runs or not!

Why Is Donating Your Vehicle In San Luis Obispo County A Great Choice?

There are so many reasons residents of San Luis Obispo County should consider donating their used or junk cars to a registered charitable organization. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • You can help people in need right here in your community! Check below for our list of local charities near Woodinville.
  • Help change the world! We don't all have the time and money to contribute to causes we care about, but this can be a great option for Washington residents!
  • Choose who benefits! Whether your cause is Animals, Veterans, Medical Research, the Environment, there's a non-profit for you!
  • A sense of satisfaction for helping those in need.
  • It doesn't have to be running! No need to spend time and enrgy getting it in working order.

Make a difference for a cause you care about, get rid of your old junker, and get a juicy tax write-off!

National Charities

Charities near you aren't the only way to make a difference! Some of the most impactful organizations operate at the national (or international) level.

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

PBS is a membership organization that, in partnership with its member stations, serves the American public with programming and services of the highest quality, using media to educate, inspire, entertain and express a diversity of perspectives.

The Humane Society

The mission of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is to create a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people.

The Wounded Warrior Project

The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. Our vision is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history.

Feeding America

Feeding America's mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.

Ronald McDonald House

The mission of RMHC is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. A world where all children have access to medical care, and their families are supported and actively involved in their children's care.

St. Jude Children Hospital

The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.

Picking The Right Charity To Receive Your Car

One of the parts that can be challenging for many San Luis Obispo County residents is choosing the perfect charity to donate their vehicle to. There are a ton of great eligible organizations, so many that it can be a little overwhelming. Here's our recommended approach:

Make Sure It's An Eligible Non-Profit

This is technically the last step, but it's so important we're putting it first. If the tax write-off is important to you, make sure that you've chosen an eligible 501(c)(3) entity. There's a number you can call to verify this with the IRS at 1-877-829-5500.

Choose: Local Or National

One of the first decision points we recommend that you consider is whether the charity you want to donate to is local or national. Some people love the idea of helping folks right in their town or county, but some popular charities operate on a more national or global scale. Even most local charities in San Luis Obispo County or the surrounding areas have a national parent organization, so this is more important for people who really want to make sure the local community benefits. There's a list of nearby options provided above, but there are likely many more including theatre groups, food banks, and other great options you can find with a bit of effort!

Choose: Pick A Broad Cause

What do you care most about in the world? Is it animals? The environment? Veterans? Cancer or other Healthcare research? Choosing a broad category of beneficiary is a great way to start to narrow it down. No matter what you're thing, there's bound to be 1 or more organizations to choose from! This is one of the best ways to narrow the list down from every charity in the world to a handful of ones that you can research more closely.

Research: Charity Efficiency

Not all charities are created (and managed) equally. Some will allow more of your donation to reach the people or causes you care about than others, which may spend more on operational overhead, etc. There are a number of online resources that "grade" popular charities, and we recommend consulting one of them before you make the final call.

Listen To Your Heart!

At the end of the day, when donating a car you should be able to feel good about the choice you've made. After all, you could just sell it and pocket the cash. You've chosen to contribute to something larger than yourself, so make sure whatever you choose is something your heart says is right!

How To Donate A Car In San Luis Obispo County

Donating a car in San Luis Obispo County is a straightforward process, but there are a few steps you need to follow:

Preparation

Begin by preparing the necessary documentation to transfer ownership of the vehicle. Be sure to look up any specific requirements for the state. This usually includes the title for the automobile, which needs to be signed by the owner listed. In the event the owner is deceased, a death certificate and signature of the executor of the estate will usually suffice. The exact requirements vary by state, and most charities will be able to provide details when you call.

Choose A Charity

The next step is to choose a charity you wish to benefit from the donation. In order to receive the tax benefits, this will generally need to be an organization registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. You can verify the charity’s eligibility by calling the IRS hotline at 1-877-829-5500. There are tons of great charities to choose from, and we’ve compiled a great list for national and local organizations you may wish to consider here on this page.

Consult A Tax Professional

Ensuring you qualify for a tax deduction is best done by a professional Financial or Legal advisor. The information on this page is provided as a free resource to help get you started, and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of your unique financial circumstances. Consider yourself warned!

Call or Request A Pickup Online

Once you’ve chosen your charity and consulted a professional, it’s time to arrange a pickup! Call or go online to register interest in the program and arrange a vehicle pickup. This can be done whether the car is in working order or not.

Complete The Pickup!

On the time and day of your choosing a tow-truck will arrive to retrieve the car. Make sure you have the paperwork discussed above ready to go! A receipt for the donation will be provided at the time of pickup and additional documentation may be mailed to you. Typically the organization will handle the paperwork with the DMV. Make sure you never hand over a signed title without listing the transferee! Again, you should consult with tax and legal professionals before completing this process and not rely solely on this information.

FAQ - Donating A Car In San Luis Obispo County, California

Does it cost anything to donate my car?

The answer is almost always no, and if the organization wants you to pay any sort of fee directly to them you should be very cautious!

What are the alternatives to donating my car?

Donating the car directly isn't your only option. You can also sell the car for cash, and then donate that directly to ensure the maximum amount goes to the charity of your choice!

Does my car have to run to donate it?

Definitely not! Towing is typically provided with no cost to you. While it doesn't need to run, you should make sure it's accessible prior to your appointment to have it picked up.

What Type Of Vehicles Can I Donate?

Many! Contact the charity for more info, but commonly accepted vehicles include Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, JetSkis, Flatbeds, RVs, Mini Bikes, Trailers, Cargo Vans, and more!

How can I tell if a charity is a 501(c)(3)?

The IRS provides a hotline you can call to verify. The number is 1-877-829-5500.