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 Traverse City, Michigan has never been easier! Dozens of great charities like Americares and St. Jude Children Hospital are standing by!

Just Want It Gone?

Our Favorite Hassle-Free Charities For Traverse City, Michigan

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 Traverse City A Great Choice?

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

  • 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!
  • It's not just for cars! Many programs accept motorcycles, RVs, boats, and other types of vehicles!
  • It doesn't have to be running! No need to spend time and enrgy getting it in working order.
  • Avoid long lines at the DMV! Most organizations will take care of the paperwork on your behalf!
  • 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 Traverse City, Michigan

1)

Habitat For Humanity Grand Traverse Region

(231) 941-4663 1129 Woodmere Ave Ste K Traverse City, MI 49686 0.55 Miles Away
2)

Grand Traverse Bay YMCA

(231) 421-3568 1100 Woodmere Ave Traverse City, MI 49686 0.59 Miles Away
3)

Salvation Army Thrift Shop

(231) 946-5194 545 W 11th St Traverse City, MI 49684 1.44 Miles Away
4)

Goodwill Retail and Donation Center

(231) 922-4826 2279 S Airport Rd W Traverse City, MI 49684 1.76 Miles Away
5)

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

(906) 786-2808 1014 Ludington Escanaba, MI 49829 98.70 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.

Americares

To prevent disease and promote good health in vulnerable communities, Americares supports, designs and implements disease prevention and health education efforts that connect local clinics and hospitals with the communities they serve.

Make-A-Wish America

The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The children we serve are fighting for their lives, and their families are doing everything that they can to help them in their battles.

American Red Cross

The Red Cross, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors—in its international and national capacity—to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found.

United Way

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

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.

Habitat For Humanity

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

What To Keep In Mind When Donating A Car In Traverse City

You should always consult your legal and financial professionals prior to donating a car in Michigan to make ensure you're eligible for tax deductions, etc. Here are some common things to keep in mind and consult with them about:

Tax Itemization

To be eligible for tax deductions on your federal returns, you typically need to itemize your deductions. Recent changes to the federal tax code give a larger standard deduction, so fewer people are itemizing these days. Check with your tax preparer to see if you'll be eligible or not. You can also consult with them about any benefits if you file State taxes.

Charity Eligibility and Efficiency

Only donations to a registered 501(c)(3) are eligible for the tax benefits you're expecting. Be sure to carefully research the organization prior to donating to ensure they fall into this category. You should also verify that the charity has a good overall grade, to make sure that most of your contribution will go towards the cause you've selected.

Vehicle Valuation and Deduction Amount

Knowing what to expect if you are eligible for the deduction is another thing to keep in mind. Just because the fair market price for your vehicle is $2000, doesn't necessarily mean you can deduct that much. If they wind up selling the vehicle for less than market value (as is common), you'll only be eligible to deduct that amount. Once again, consult your registered tax professional prior to any action on your part.

Proper Transfer Of Ownership

Another thing to be careful about is the paperwork for the transfer of the vehicle. If the charity asks you to leave the assignment of ownership space on the charity donation papers blank, refuse and consider finding another organization. If they fail to transfer the title, you'll remain liable for any parking tickets, or other subsequent problems with the vehicle. Be sure to consult your legal advisor, prior to any donation to ensure you're covered!

Picking The Right Charity To Receive Your Car

One of the parts that can be challenging for many Traverse City 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 Traverse City 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 Grand Traverse 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 Traverse City, Michigan

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.

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.

What Charity should I donate my car to?

This is a personal choice you should make based on what matters to you. There are charities for just about every cause imaginable! Our preferred charities are the Wounded Warrior and American Cancer Society if you really can't choose!

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.

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!