Center for Car Donations: Partnering with Laura’s House to “End the Silence” of Domestic Violence
Posted on April 23, 2014
Since 2006, Center for Car Donations has been accepting vehicle donations on the organization’s behalf; receiving 64% of the proceeds from the sale of the vehicles in 2012, Laura’s House has one of the highest returns in the State of California
Laura’s House, like many nonprofit organizations, uses proceeds from the sale of donated vehicles to fund the programs and services we provide to the community. Since 2006, we have been partnering with Center for Car Donations, which accepts donated cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and RVs on our behalf, sells them at auction, and then donates the proceeds to Laura’s House.
Recently, The Orange County Register reported that total revenue raised by vehicle donations is on the decline. With reports from the California Attorney General, the newspaper found:
In California, vehicle donations in 2012 raised $17.7 million in the name of nonprofits in California, although the charities got just $5.5 million of that, or 31 percent. That’s a far sorrier showing than in 2011. Then, total revenue raised by vehicle donations was higher – $21.6 million – and charities got more than half the take, at 53.8 percent.
Through our partnership with Center for Car Donations, which focuses on helping small charities like ours, Laura’s House receives a much higher percentage of return on the sale of vehicles. In fact, in 2012, Center for Car Donations accepted vehicles on behalf of Laura’s House that sold at auction for $16,700, from that amount we received $10,706, or 64 percent of the take – more than double the average for the State of California, as reported by the newspaper.
Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director of Laura’s House said, “We are grateful to Jacquie Elliott and Center for Car Donations for partnering with us to raise much-needed funds that are then used to help individuals and families build lives that are free of violence. Jacquie and her team are great advocates for our cause, and we appreciate their diligence in obtaining the best possible price at auction, then keeping expenses low so that we get a greater percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the vehicles.”
How to Donate a Vehicle to Laura’s House
Individuals wishing to donate an unwanted or unused vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, boats, trucks or RVs, can call Center for Car Donations at 877-411-DONATE to set up a convenient pick-up time for the vehicle. Same day and weekend appointment may be available. The donor can then designate that the proceeds from the sale of the vehicle be allocated toward Laura’s House. Upon the sale of the vehicle, donors will receive a receipt for the sale amount.
To qualify for a tax deduction during the 2014 tax year, all vehicles must be picked up by the Center for Car Donations by Dec. 31, 2014. Vehicles do not have to pass a smog test, be operational or registered. However, the donor must be the legal titleholder of the vehicle, and must show clear title. Additionally, all donated vehicles must have an engine and be towable.
For additional information the tax benefits afforded by vehicle donations, the IRS provides A Donor's Guide to Car Donations at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/pub4303.pdf. Donors are also encouraged to check with their tax professional to determine the exact benefit of their donation.