Donate A Car To A Nonprofit

Call Us to Donate

855-500-7433

ACTERRA

Acterra is a San Francisco Bay Area 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Palo Alto that brings people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet. We focus on what you can do locally to address current environmental problems. In the face of daunting environmental challenges, our science-based approach instills hope while building community.

Acterra's staff provides environmental education in the areas of energy and climate change, corporate sustainability, and advocacy to build an informed and empowered citizenry. Our programs include Energy and Climate, Business Partnerships for Sustainability, a Public Lecture Series, and an Environmental Library and Resource Center. Our programs engage people and companies in the Bay Area, with a focus on Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

Donate Your Vehicle and Make A Difference
Donate your car, truck, motorcycle, RV, or boat to  Acterra by simply completing the form below and we'll reach out to you to arrange the pick-up of your vehicle donation, at no cost to you. You may qualify for a tax deduction while supporting a cause that is near and dear to your heart!

Vehicle donation pick-up is always free to you and most vehicles can be picked up within 24-72 hours. You'll receive an initial car donation receipt upon pick-up and then our team will work to turn your car into cash to support our cause. Once your vehicle is sold, we will provide you proper tax forms in time to file. Our friendly Donor Support Representatives are here 7 days a week to assist throughout the process.

Thank you for your support!  




Get Started With Your Vehicle Donation

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Pre-Donation

  • What are your Hours of Operation?

    • 5:00am - 7:00pm (PT), Mon - Fri
    • 6:00am - 5:00pm (PT), Saturday
    • 8:00am - 4:30pm (PT), Sunday

  • What are the benefits of donating my vehicle to a nonprofit?

    • Donating is easy and the pick-up is free.
    • Donating skips the costs and hassles associated with selling a car, like paying for advertising and insurance, or for car repairs to keep your car in running condition while you wait for a buyer.
    • Donating avoids the costs associated with keeping a car, such as registration, insurance, car repairs, and more.
    • You can free up space at home and/or stop paying for extra parking.
    • It's better than a low trade-in offer.
    • Vehicle donations are tax-deductible, and you could reduce your taxable income when taxes are itemized.
    • Donating to a nonprofit feels good and makes a difference.

  • What types of vehicles do you accept?

    All vehicles are considered! We strive to accept all types of donated vehicles (running or not) including cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RVs, motorcycles, campers, off-road vehicles, planes, heavy equipment, farm machinery, and most other motorized vehicles. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online vehicle donation form, or call us during regular hours of operation.

  • What type of paperwork will I need to donate my car?

    You will need a current and clear title. Any lien holder listed on the title must be cleared and/or released by the bank. This law varies by state.

  • Are there any costs?

    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 by our vehicle donation program provider CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services).

  • When can I schedule my pick-up?

    When you are contacted by the towing/vendor company, you will most likely be given a time period to choose from for your pick-up window. These windows are based on your needs as a donor and what fits the realities of the traffic and volume in the geographic area of the vehicle.

  • How long is the entire process from the vehicle pick-up to when the nonprofit receives its funds?

    The entire sale process can take approximately four to 12 weeks. The net cash proceeds from your generous vehicle donation are sent to our nonprofit within five business days upon the receipt of the sale proceeds from the auction or direct buy vendors.

  • Can you pick up vehicles in all 50 states?

    Yes! We can provide convenient pick-up and towing for vehicle donations just about anywhere in all 50 states. We provide vehicle donation processing in the contiguous 48 states as well as the District of Columbia, without limitation. In Alaska, we service the Fairbanks and Anchorage areas with a 50-mile service radius. In Hawaii, we service the island of Oahu and the island of Hawaii. If you are donating outside of the state or if you have questions about donating, get started via our secure online vehicle donation form or call us seven days a week during regular hours of operation. We would be happy to help you.

  • My car doesn’t run or hasn’t been used in years. Can I still donate it?

    Yes! We can accept most vehicles, running or not. However, it must be in one piece and towable, have an engine, and be tow truck accessible. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please choose a nonprofit, complete the secure online vehicle donation form, or call us. Our Donor Support Team is available seven days a week during regular hours of operation.

  • What is considered accessible for safe towing?

    Vehicle donations considered accessible for safe towing are typically parked in the front driveway, in front of the home or apartment building, or on the street and without any other vehicles or other items blocking the intended donation. The tow operators typically cannot access areas that do not have a direct path to the vehicle backyards and back alleyways, nor underground structures or other. Usually, all four tires should be inflated as well. We strive to consider every vehicle donation, so if you’re not sure whether or not your vehicle is accessible for safe towing, please let us know and we will do our best to support you.

The Tow

  • Do I have to pay for towing?

    No. Vehicle Donors do not pay for towing; it's free! The vehicles are picked up at no charge to you. All expenses are deducted from the gross sales price, and if the costs ever exceed the price, those costs are covered by CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services, our vehicle donation program provider.

  • Who will be calling me to schedule the pick-up?

    Our vendor representative for your donation will be calling/texting and/or emailing you using the information you provided on the donation form for scheduling. Please be aware you will very possibly receive a call from a phone number that you don’t recognize pertaining to your donation; this is the vendor.

  • How do I get ready for the tow driver and what can I expect?

    Please remove all personal belongings from the vehicle and have the title ready at the time of the pick-up (unless otherwise directed). The tow operator will pick up the title, keys and vehicle. Please wait to mark the title; the tow vendor will assist you in signing the title. In most cases, the tow operator will also provide a donation receipt. Should you not receive a receipt, please give our Donor Support Team a call and we will get one out to you.

  • Do I remove the license plates or leave them on the vehicle?

    This depends on the state in which your vehicle is registered. In some states, you are required to surrender or return the license plates after donating. If your state requires you to remove the plates before donating your vehicle, please do what you can to remove your own plates. We cannot guarantee the driver will be able to assist you with plate removal. To find out what’s expected for your state, give our Vehicle Donor Support Team a call and we’ll walk you through it. Or, you can check out what your state requires by clicking here.

  • Can I drop the vehicle off to save on towing costs to the nonprofit?

    You may ask the representative scheduling your vehicle pick-up with the vendor about this option.

  • Does my title need to be notarized?

    Whether or not you need notarization depends on the state that holds your vehicle title. Currently, our vehicle donation program is currently aware that notarization is a requirement for the following states: Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. However, each state’s requirements are subject to change. If you would like to confirm if your state requires notarized title transfers, go to your state’s motor vehicle department’s website and click on your state to see your state’s title transfer requirements. (Notarization is used to deter fraud by ensuring proper identification has been provided and approved prior to signing over the title, and some states require notarization of the title prior to donating).

After Pick-up

  • What do I do after my vehicle is picked up?

    Depending on the registered state of the vehicle, the next step for you after your vehicle is picked up is to notify the state about your recent vehicle donation and that you are no longer no longer in possession of the vehicle. Please only notify your state after the vehicle is picked up. Click here to learn the steps required for notifying your state that you’ve donated your vehicle.

  • What is State Notification?

    State notification releases a donor from liability over the vehicle, including registration fees and from having to keep the vehicle insured. State notification is a way for the state to create a record that the owner is no longer in possession of the vehicle. The steps needed to release your liability of a donated vehicle vary by state. Depending on the state, this step may require surrendering your license plates, cancelling your registration, or submitting a report of sale or notice of transfer. State notification should be completed before cancelling your insurance. Click here to learn the steps required for notifying your state that you’ve donated your vehicle.

  • When do I cancel my insurance?

    Only cancel your vehicle's insurance AFTER you have notified the state that you’ve donated your vehicle. If your state requires notification, please be aware that you should never cancel your insurance prior to reporting to the state you are no longer in possession of the vehicle. This is a general rule for States/Motor Vehicle Departments that require Notification be submitted or license plates returned.

  • What if there is a problem with my car after it's donated?

    After we have picked up the vehicle, we take full responsibility. In the rare event that you receive any notification of a lien sale, DMV actions, infractions, evasions or other activity related to your donated vehicle, please contact us immediately for assistance. Please note that you are liable for all fines/fees related to your vehicle prior to the pickup. To get answers for your specific DMV questions, please refer to the DMV in your state for clear instructions.

Title & Sale

  • What is the Title Transfer Process? Who takes care of that?

    The title transfer is different in each state. Our vehicle donation program and our vendors/auction yards will help you take the correct steps to ensure that your title paperwork is transferred correctly at the time of your vehicle pick-up.

  • When should I sign over the title?

    Please wait to mark the title until after you have discussed it with the tow vendor as they will assist you in showing you the correct location in which to sign the title.

  • Who is considered the purchaser of the donated vehicle? Is it the nonprofit/charity to which I’m giving my vehicle?

    The purchaser of your donated vehicle is not the charity. It will either be the vendor or Charitable Adult Rides & Services.

  • If there is more than one person listed as owner on the title, do all parties have to sign the title?

    If the word “and/or” is not listed between the names of the parties/owners, then all parties will need to sign the title.

  • During the sale process, how do I check on the status of my car or get other answers?

    We are available seven days a week. Please call our donation number above or email donorsupport@careasy.org.

  • Will I be notified when it sells?

    Once your vehicle sells, our Vehicle Donor Support Team will either email and/or mail a thank-you letter on behalf of the nonprofit receiving your donation, which serves as a copy of your tax receipt. Please note that if your vehicle sells for more than $500 and your tax identification number has been provided, 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 donation.

  • How do you sell the vehicles?

    Our vehicle donation program works with more than 400 vendors throughout the country to sell vehicles. Every donation is personally reviewed to determine the most effective sales process. In most markets, we have 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, providing the nonprofit with maximum returns and maximizing the donor’s tax benefit.

  • How long is the sale process?

    The entire sale process can take approximately four to 12 weeks. However, there are times the sale process can exceed 12 weeks. This occurs if we are holding onto the vehicle for a better sales price, etc.

Tax Benefits

  • Are vehicle donations tax-deductible?

    Yes; vehicle donations are tax-deductible. Individual tax situations vary. For specific tax- related questions, please consult your tax advisor or refer to IRS Publication 4303.

  • How is the value of my tax deduction determined?

    Most vehicles are sold through local wholesale auctions, and we work to get the highest return per vehicle for you and for our nonprofit. According to the IRS Guidelines, donors may claim fair market value for their vehicle donation up to the actual sale value. If a vehicle is sold for more than $500, the maximum amount of your deduction will be the sales price of the vehicle which will be listed on your IRS Form 1098-C.

    A special rule may apply if the donated vehicle sells for $500 or less. In this case, a deduction for the lesser of the vehicle’s fair market value on the date of the contribution may be claimed, or $500, provided you have written acknowledgment (i.e. the initial donation receipt or the thank-you letter you receive once the donation process is complete).

  • How do I request a donation/tax receipt?

    Please call during regular hours of operation, or email donorsupport@careasy.org, and we would be happy to help you.

  • Will I get a donation receipt?

    In most cases, donors will receive an initial donation receipt from the tow driver at the time of the vehicle pick-up. This initial acknowledgement will indicate the donor's name as well as the year, make, model and condition of the donated vehicle. Should you not receive a receipt, please give our donor support team a call and we will get one out to you.

    Donors will also be mailed a thank-you letter on behalf of the receiving nonprofit within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle, which serves as a tax receipt. This will be the donor's final tax document if their vehicle sells for $500 or less.

    If the vehicle sells for more than $500 and the donor has provided their tax identification number, CARS will also mail an IRS Form 1098-C, ‘Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes’, to the donor within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from their donation.

  • I donated earlier this year—but did not receive or may have misplaced my tax receipt. Can you resend it?

    We would be happy to help you. Please call us during regular hours of operation, or you may email donorsupport@careasy.org, and simply let us know you need a replacement.