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 Thousand Palms, California has never been easier! Dozens of great charities like Volunteers of America and Salvation Army are standing by!

Just Want It Gone?

Our Favorite Hassle-Free Charities For Thousand Palms, 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 Thousand Palms A Great Choice?

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

  • It's not just for cars! Many programs accept motorcycles, RVs, boats, and other types of vehicles!
  • You can help people in need right here in your community! Check below for our list of local charities near Woodinville.
  • 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.
  • It's tax deductible! Check with your tax professional, but many people are able to reduce their tax liability.

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 Thousand Palms, California

1)

Habitat for Humanity of the Coachella Valley

(760) 969-6917 72680 Dinah Shore Dr Ste 6 Palm Desert, CA 92211 2.28 Miles Away
2)

American Cancer Society Discovery Shop

(760) 568-5967 42410 "2" Bob Hope Dr Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 6.09 Miles Away
3)

Goodwill Southern California Retail Store

(760) 423-5666 72014 Highway 111 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 6.27 Miles Away
4)

The Salvation Army

(951) 791-9497 340 S Palm Ave Hemet, CA 92543 36.31 Miles Away
5)

Redlands Family YMCA

(909) 798-9622 500 E Citrus Ave Redlands, CA 92373 50.04 Miles Away
6)

American Red Cross

(909) 888-1481 202 W Rialto Ave San Bernardino, CA 92408 57.12 Miles Away
7)

St Vincent De Paul

(760) 728-7012 520 S Main Ave Fallbrook, CA 92028 59.84 Miles Away
8)

Mission Viejo Rotary Club

(949) 480-9278 26200 Country Club Dr Mission Viejo, CA 92691 77.08 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.

Volunteers of America

Volunteers of America is a movement organized to reach and uplift all people and bring them to the knowledge and active service of God.

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.

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.

United Way

The United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good.

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.

Goodwill International

Goodwill works to enhance people's dignity and quality of life by strengthening their communities, eliminating their barriers to opportunity, and helping them reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.

Picking The Right Charity To Receive Your Car

One of the parts that can be challenging for many Thousand Palms 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 Thousand Palms 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 Riverside 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!

How To Donate A Car In Thousand Palms

Donating a car in Thousand Palms 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 Thousand Palms, California

What should I have ready when my vehicle is picked up for donation?

You'll generally need the title for the vehicle and signature of the registered owner. The organization will inform you of all requirements when you arrange the pickup window.

How much can I deduct for donating a car?

This depends on a lot of factors and you should consult a tax professional for a definitive answer. In general, you'll be able to deduct the amount the charity sells the vehicle for or in some cases the fair market value.

Can I donate a car owned by a deceased relative?

This will vary by location and charity, but many will let you donate with a copy of the death certificate and signature of the estate's executor.

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.

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.