If you have an old car sitting in your driveway, garage, or side yard, you may have asked yourself numerous times how you were going to get rid of it. Some people sell their old cars to scrap yards, while some let the car continue to rust. More and more, however, people are donating their old cars to charity. Car donation is an easy way to make a charitable contribution to a favorite organization while getting rid of your old automobile with minimal effort.

Donating a car is a relatively easy process. Many charities and non-profit organizations now accept automobiles, boats, and other vehicles as donations in lieu of cash. These are accepted because they can easily be scrapped for the money the organization needs to keep running.

When you donate your car, the company will either have it towed for you or provide you with a drop-off point. This makes it easier for you and the charity both to get your auto off your hands. When the exchange happens, you provide the keys and the title and will be given a donation receipt for use at tax season.

As many organizations now accept vehicles, choosing the one that would best use your car is really your decision. The charities that take vehicles run the gamut from animal shelters to political organizations to children’s charities. Finding a group will be the easiest part of the donation process.

One thing you should consider when giving up a vehicle is what the group does, exactly. If you donate your car without researching, you may be providing funds to organizations that stand in direct opposition to your personal beliefs. While any group would appreciate the donation, finding one that matches your belief system makes more sense.

Another thing to look into before handing over your keys is how the money from your car’s scrapping will be used. Many charities will, if requested, provide a breakdown of how their funding is allocated to things like outreach, salary, and overhead. If you examine the way different groups use their donations, you can best choose the one that most needs your assistance.

Once you’ve chosen the charity that will receive your auto, you need to get in touch with them to make arrangements for handing it over. Most organizations, when advertising, will provide a special phone number or website specifically to field donation requests. When contacting the group, try to use these resources first, instead of calling a central information line. Many times, the central lines are staffed by volunteers who may not be able to answer questions you might have.

Donating an automobile is a quick, easy way to give back to your favorite charity or non-profit organization. While you won’t get any cash for your car like you would if you sold it for scrap, you do get a tax write off on next year’s filing. You also get more room in your driveway or garage. Most importantly, you get the good feeling that comes from doing something to help others, even in the smallest way.