Donate Your Vehicle
You hold the keys to keeping families close
Think your old vehicle isn't worth much? Consider this...
By donating your car, truck, boat, RV, or other vehicle to RMHC Central Iowa. You are helping provide families with a home-away-from-home during the hospitalization of their seriously ill or injured children.
Donating your vehicle to RMHC Central Iowa is simple!
Donors call 1-855-CarsHelp (227-7435) or Submit the Online Form at carshelp.org:
- CARS Vehicle Donor Support Representatives (DSRs) are available seven days a week to answer donor inquiries with an average wait time of 30 seconds or less. At the beginning of the call, the DSR will greet the donor and identify Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Vehicle Donation Program.
- Donors can submit an online donation form at carshelp.org. Within 48 hours, our DSRs will contact the donor to complete the donation and confirm pick-up information. If filled out in its entirety, this self-service donation form is in lieu of donating over the phone.
Schedule the Free Pick-up: Vehicles can be picked up just about anywhere in the U.S. and in some areas of Canada. Once the donation record has been completed, a DSR will help the donor arrange to have a licensed tow vendor pick up the vehicle. Donors will receive a call from the vendor within two to three business days after completing the donation record.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Receives the Proceeds: The entire sale process of each donated vehicle can take approximately four to 12 weeks. Ronald McDonald House Charities receives the net proceeds within five business days of CARS receiving the funds.
Donors Receive a Donation Receipt: Vehicle donations are tax-deductible. CARS provides an initial donation receipt at the time of the pick-up. If the vehicle sells for $500 or less, donors are mailed a thank-you letter within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle, which serves as a tax receipt. If the vehicle sells for more than $500 and the donor has provided their tax identification number, an IRS Form 1098- C will be mailed to the donor within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds (the maximum amount of the donor’s tax deduction) received from the donation. For specific tax-related questions, donors are advised to consult with their tax advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who operates the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Vehicle Donation Program?
CARS, Inc. (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) runs the Vehicle Donation Program for Ronald McDonald House Charities and participating Chapters. CARS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping nonprofits across North America increase fundraising through turn-key vehicle donation programs.
Are there any costs?
No. There is no cost to the donor. All expenses are deducted from the gross sales price, and if the costs ever exceed the price, those costs are covered.
How long is the sale process?
The sale process of each donated vehicle can take approximately four to 12 weeks.
Do we accept all vehicles?
All vehicles are considered, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats, airplanes, heavy equipment, farm machinery and most other motorized vehicles, running or not. However, it will need to meet the following basic requirements:
• Vehicle has a clear Title. However, some states have exceptions.
• Vehicle is complete and towable.
• Vehicle is accessible for safe towing.
How long does it take to schedule the vehicle pick-up?
Once the vehicle donation form is complete and has been submitted, donors should receive a call within two to three business days from a licensed tow vendor in their area to arrange a convenient day/time for their pick-up.
How are the vehicles sold?
Our Vehicle Donation Program provider, CARS, works with hundreds of vendors throughout the country to sell vehicles. Every donation is personally reviewed to determine the most effective sales process. In most markets, our program has the flexibility of multiple sales outlets to route vehicles to the right buyer. Vehicles may be sold through the auction, to a private buyer, or to a salvage yard. Our expansive network of vendors allows us to be more competitive with your inventory as well as leverage our volume to increase prices and maximize revenue returned.
Are vehicle donations tax-deductible?
Yes! Vehicle donations are tax-deductible. According to the IRS guidelines, vehicle donors may claim fair market value for their donation up to the actual sale value. If the vehicle is sold for more than $500, the maximum amount of the deduction will be the gross sales price of the vehicle which will be listed on the donor’s IRS Form 1098-C. If the vehicle sells for $500 or less, the IRS allows the donor to claim, at their discretion, either fair market value or up to $500 for any donated vehicle. CARS emails and/or mails out a copy of the thank-you letter on behalf of Ronald McDonald House Charities within 30 days of the completion of the sale process, which can take approximately four to 12 weeks. Individual tax situations vary. For specific tax-related questions, please have donors consult their tax advisor.