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 South Lake Tahoe, California has never been easier! Dozens of great charities like Habitat For Humanity and Volunteers of America are standing by!

Just Want It Gone?

Our Favorite Hassle-Free Charities For South Lake Tahoe, 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 South Lake Tahoe A Great Choice?

There are so many reasons residents of South Lake Tahoe should consider donating their used or junk cars to a registered charitable organization. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • It doesn't have to be running! No need to spend time and enrgy getting it in working order.
  • No cost to you! Your car is picked up and towed at no cost no matter the condition!
  • It's simple! Usually far easier than selling it.
  • 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.

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

Suggested Local Charities Near South Lake Tahoe, California

1)

Goodwill

(530) 600-4033 1069 Emerald Bay Rd South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 2.22 Miles Away
2)

Salvation Army Church - Social Service Office

(775) 887-9120 911 E Second St Carson City, NV 89701 19.55 Miles Away
3)

American Cancer Society

(775) 329-0609 630 Sierra Rose Dr Ste 1A Reno, NV 89511 38.17 Miles Away
4)

Truckee Meadows Habitat For Humanity

(775) 323-5511 530 Greenbrae Dr Sparks, NV 89431 43.77 Miles Away
5)

American Red Cross

(209) 533-1513 13669 Mono Way Sonora, CA 95370 69.36 Miles Away
6)

St. Vincent de Paul

(916) 472-6629 1014 Douglas Blvd Roseville, CA 95678 71.15 Miles Away
7)

Rotary Club of Roseville

(916) 365-2867 105 Alta Vista Ave Roseville, CA 95678 71.53 Miles Away

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.

Habitat For Humanity

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Sierra Club

To explore, enjoy and protect the planet. To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out those objectives.

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.

Heritage For The Blind

The mission of Heritage For The Blind is to assist in providing the tools necessary to help the blind and visually impaired independently explore and participate fully in society.

The YMCA

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.

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.

Benefits of Donating A Vehicle In South Lake Tahoe, California

Among the many reasons to donate a car to charity, here are some of the best:

Contributing To A Larger Cause

We all wish we had a ton of time and money to devote to the causes we care about, but this is often not the case. Giving your car to a local or national charitable organization can be a fantastic way to contribute without having to dig directly into your pocket. In fact, they may be doing you a favor by hauling away an old junker too!

Potential Tax Benefits

Donating your car can be a great way for some people to save at tax time too! Check with your financial advisor to ensure eligibility, but deductions of hundreds or thousands of dollars could definitely leave a smile on your face come tax season!

No Cost Vehicle Removal

Got an old clunker that's just taking up space in a driveway or garage? No problem! Most charities will happily accept vehicles that aren't running and have them picked up at no cost to you! It's a headache free way to rid yourself of a problem and put some cash in the pocket of a worthy charity.

Not Just For Cars!

Many donation programs local to South Lake Tahoe and Nationally will happily accept other types of vehicles like motorcycles, RVs, Boats, 4x4s, and more! If you've got a vehicle you need to get rid of, this is always an option worth investigating!

Picking The Right Charity To Receive Your Car

One of the parts that can be challenging for many South Lake Tahoe 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 South Lake Tahoe 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 in El Dorado County 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!

FAQ - Donating A Car In South Lake Tahoe, California

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.

Can I get a tax deduction for donating my car to any organization?

No. The organization must be recognized as a non-profit by the IRS (a 501(c)(3) business entity). Be sure to do your own research on any organization you plan to donate to before taking action (including any on our list).

Do I have to be home when a donated car is picked up?

Check with the organization you're donating to, but the answer is typically no - as long as all personal items are removed, the car is accessible, and the required documentation is left in the glove compartment.

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 makes of vehicle can I donate?

Pretty much everything is accepted, including: Acura, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Volkswagen, Toyota, Volvo and more!