Car Donation

You can't turn on the radio, read your e-mail, or turn on late night cable, without hearing from another seemingly noble charity asking you to donate your old car. Cars for Kids and the National Lung Association are only two of the biggest advertisers in the newly developed car donation "industry".

The reality is that car donations have taken over a substantial portion of the car removal market. However, the way that cars are resold, recycled, and disposed of, has changed very little. While a few elite charities run their own car removal entities, the vast majority hire the same salvage companies, junk yards, towing companies, and auto recyclers that have been disposing of old cars for decades.

Unfortunately, too many "junk" cars are simply sold for scrap, and both charities and the environment suffer. Charities are happy to receive $100 for donated vehicles, and donors are happy to receive the customary $500 tax deduction (less than $200 in actual cash savings).

At the same time, old cars, trucks, and more exotic vehicle donations, continue to generate huge revenue for the same folks who junked cars 30 years ago.