Jewish Family Service accepts charitable donations of vehicles through CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), with sales proceeds dedicated to support a variety of JFS programs.
CARS will help you handle all of the details of your automobile (or other motor vehicle) donation. You will receive a tax credit, and avoid the hassle of advertising or haggling with a car salesman.
FAQs
What types of vehicles are accepted?
What type of paperwork will I need to donate my car?
Are there any costs?
How do I get ready for the tow driver and what can I expect?
What do I do after my vehicle is picked up?
More FQAs
Why Vehicle Donation?
• 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 JFS means you are providing access to mental health care and other essential services in our community. Visit our Programs & Services menu to learn about our work.
What types of vehicles are accepted?
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:
5:00am – 7:00pm (PT), Mon – Fri
• 6:00am – 5:00pm (PT), Saturday
• 8:00am – 4:30pm (PT), Sunday
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).
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.
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.