How to Donate Cars in Denver

By Andrew Smith

  • Overview

    Donating a car to a charitable or nonprofit organization in and around Denver can be as easy as making a phone call. Your vehicle donation could go toward the protection and care of abandoned pets, therapeutic services for needy families, programs aimed at educating children or disease research. Anybody in the Denver area can donate to the charities located below, and each donation is tax deductible.

    • Step 1

      Locate the keys and title for the car that you want to donate. You must have both of these things to donate a car to a charity or nonprofit organization in Denver. You do not need your vehicle registration.

    • Step 2

      Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides mentors to at-risk kids who have none. The program aims to make these children feel better about themselves and, hopefully, keep those kids from making poor decisions. You will receive a tax receipt after your vehicle is sold, and your car will be towed for free. Those in the Denver area should contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at (303) 433-3666.

    • Step 3

      Support the Dumb Friends League. DFL cares for pets who have been abandoned and injured and strives to find homes for orphaned pets. The Dumb Friends League also educates pet owners on how to properly care for their animals. You will receive a tax deduction once your car is sold or auctioned by DFL. For more information, call (303) 751-5772, ext. 7223.

    • Step 4

      Donate your car to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ALS Association. The ALS Association is an organization with the goal of finding a cure to Lou Gehrig's Disease. The Rocky Mountain Chapter of ALS will take care of the paperwork and tow your vehicle for free. Best of all, the ALS Association receives 100 percent of the proceeds from your donation. Call (303) 832-2322 to learn more.

    • Step 5

      Give your car to the Denver Family Institute. DFI provides therapy and other family services for low- and middle-income families throughout the Denver area. DFI does not discriminate based upon income, race, sexual orientation or religion. DFI will accept your donation even if the car is no longer running. For more information, call (303) 756-3340 or email dfiweb1@gmail.com.
    • Skill: Easy
    • Ingredients:
    • Car title and keys
    • Tip: Speak with a tax adviser before donating your car to a Denver charity or nonprofit organization. This individual will assist you during the donation process and ensure that you receive the largest tax deduction possible.
    • Tip: Speak with the charity or organization you choose about signing over your title to that organization. Many charities will do all of the paperwork for you because they are eager to receive your donation. Others will walk you through the process step-by-step over the phone during your initial conversation. You do not need to complete any paperwork before you make your first phone call.
    • Warning:
    • Only donate your car to a Denver charity or organization that is registered with the IRS. Otherwise, you won't receive a tax deduction for your donation. All of the organizations listed above are registered with the IRS. If you have any doubts about another organization, you should contact your local DMV office. An employee there can tell you if the charity or nonprofit organization is legit.

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