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Cars For a Cure® Charity Vehicle Donation Program

1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. You can make a difference for people impacted by cancer. Rather than selling or trading in your used car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, RV, or boat on a trailer, consider donating it to the American Cancer Society. Your car donation can help improve the lives of people facing cancer and their families by funding lifesaving research, advocacy, and free patient support programs and services. 
 

How to Donate a Car

1. Complete the form

Complete our easy-to-use online car donation form. We just need some basic info about you, your vehicle, and where your vehicle needs to be picked up. You can also call 1-888-227-5500 to start your donation.

2. Schedule Car Pickup

Your vehicle can be scheduled for pickup within 24-48 hours after your title has been received by our vehicle donation processing center.

3. Get Tax Receipt

After a few weeks, you ll receive the tax deductible receipt you ll need for filing your taxes.

Car Donation Impact

Your charitable vehicle donation could*:
rides icon
Provide up to 24 rides

to treatment for people facing cancer

Support icon
Help up to 24 people

receive information and answers through our 24/7 helpline.

lodging icon
Provide 12 nights of free lodging

at our Hope Lodge® facilities for patients who must travel to treatment.

*Donation impact based on value average car donation.

Cars For a Cure in the news

Donation & Tax FAQs

A: We gratefully accept almost all car donations. We also accept donated trucks, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, trailers, and recreational vehicles. If you would like to donate your car, please go to our donation page, or call 1-888-227-5500.

A: A local tow agent will contact you within two to three business days to arrange your car pick up. The vehicle will be picked up by a licensed tow company at no cost to you. If you have questions about your tow, please contact the local tow agent or call 1-888-227-5500.

A: Most states require that you have a clear title to the vehicle; some states also require a notarized signature to complete a donation. Any lien holder listed on the title must be cleared and or released by the bank. If you cannot locate or have lost the certificate of title, call us at 1-888-227-5500.

A: The amount that is tax deductible is the sale price of the car. We will produce and send a tax receipt via email once your vehicle has sold. If your car sells for more than $500, an IRS Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your car. This will be your tax receipt for your charitable contribution. 

A: Donating a car or other vehicle to charity can be a confusing decision. Many charity car donation programs promise to help the charities but are run by third-party processors that return very little to the charity. Our partners at Advanced Remarketing Services return 75-80% of the gross proceeds from the sale of each vehicle, the highest of any other vehicle donation program. View these car donation tips for more info on how to maximize your charitable car or other vehicle donation.

A: They handle the title transfer, towing and reporting of all vehicle donations, and are The American Cancer Society’s authorized national agent processing all of our vehicle donations. Vehicle donations may be made online through the donation page or by calling 1-888-227-5500.

A: Yes! The American Cancer Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations, including vehicles, may be claimed as a deduction on your tax return. We accept all vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, RV’s, boats and more. If you would like to donate your vehicle, please go to our donation page or call 1-888-227-5500

A: Once your vehicle is sold, the selling price becomes the amount of your donation. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, you may deduct the full selling price. If your vehicle sells for $500 or less, you can deduct the “fair market value” of your vehicle, up to $500.

A: The following websites can help you calculate your vehicle’s fair market value.

A: Within 30 days of the sale of your vehicle, you will receive a written acknowledgment, or receipt, of your gift. The receipt will include:

  • The gross selling price of your vehicle, if it sold for greater than $500.
  • Year, make, model, and VIN information.
  • A statement that the vehicle was sold at arms-length between two unrelated parties
  • A statement that no goods or services were received in return for your donation.

Information in this section has been provided courtesy of our partner, Advanced Remarketing Services.

*Any links provided to websites of other companies are for convenience and are not an endorsement of a service or product.

Donor Stories

white woman with long hair kneeling in front of red car

Mary F.

“I am a childhood Cancer survivor! At the age of 8 I was diagnosed with wilms tumor, and underwent a right nephrectomy and 6 months of chemotherapy. Today I am a healthy adult and have a soft spot in my heart for people struggling with cancer!”

white man standing in front of white car

Iwo I.

“Donating on behalf of my mother Danita who died from colon cancer.”

white woman standing in front of red car

Stephanie B.

“This Chevy was previously owned by my mom's good friend Liz who passed away from cancer. We bought the car from her husband and the car was good to me for a long time. I am now donating the car to the American Cancer Society in memory of Liz.”