Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire

Make a donation, Donate a car or vehicle, Donate corporate tangible assets, Other ways to contribute

Exclusive information for current volunteer mentors

Current partners and how to become a partner

Donate a Car or Vehicle

Cars Helping Kids, Inc. is a program in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles & the Inland Empire. Your vehicle may be worth more than you think! Even old cars that can't be driven will bring us salvage value. Your donation of an unwanted vehicle will help to provide funding for youth mentoring programs locally.

We accept Cars, Trucks, RVs, Boats, Trailers, and Motorcycles.
Cars Helping Kids, Inc. currently provides 100% of their net proceeds to Big Brothers Big Sisters for our mentoring program. It currently operates in the Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino areas.
In order to donate a vehicle, you must have a clear title to the vehicle. We accept cars that have not been disassembled and have resale value.

There are so many reasons why you should donate your vehicle to Big Brothers Big Sisters!

New legislation that was passed in January 2005 regarding car and vehicle donations does not effect the benefits you receive from your contribution. You still feel great about donating to a trusted organization AND your contribution is 100% tax-deductible based on the vehicles appraised and/or fair market value. For more detailed information on the new legislation click here.

To make this experience a little easier for you, we would like to provide you with a resource that gives you tips about making vehicle donations as well as a Vehicle Donation Checklist published by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. Click here to access this valuable resource that we are sure you will find useful through the donation process.

If you have any questions or are interested in
donating a car or vehicle to Big Brothers Big Sisters,
please click here or call 1-888-306-KIDS.

Step-by-Step:

How do I donate a car or vehicle?

Identify the car or vehicle you would like to donate.
Have the following paperwork ready:
- vehicles title or
- copy of registration for duplicate title
Have the following information about the vehicle ready:
- year and make of vehicle
- VIN or license plate number
- location of vehicle
Click here or call Big Brothers Big Sisters (a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization) at
1-888-306-KIDS
to contact us about your vehicle donation.
We will arrange a time that is convenient for you to coordinate free towing of your donated vehicle.
We will provide you with a receipt within 30 days of the selling date of the vehicle.
You will feel good to know that your contribution is going to help us give a child in the community the life-changing gift of a mentor!

How will you benefit from donating your car to BBBS?

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the 501(c)3, non-profit organization to donate your car or vehicle to if:
- you would like to be certain that 100% of the net proceeds after direct costs will go directly to serving children and families locally in your community; and
- you would like to donate to a reputable organization that has served youth for 100 years.
Cars and vehicles donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters, that qualify, are sold on lots at "retail prices" which increases your allowable tax deduction. The difference can be as high as 30% more than cars sold at an auction house.
When minor improvements can reflect an increased sales result, such as smog inspections or windshield replacement, an evaluation and repairs will be made to maximize the sales proceeds and your tax deduction.
Donating your car alleviates the hassle of selling the vehicle yourself or negotiating a trade-in value with a car dealership. We will tow your vehicle, at no expense to you, within 24-48 hours of your call.

New Legislation

New legislation regarding vehicle, truck and boat contributions to 501(c)3 non-profit organizations will take effect January 1, 2005. New legislation includes:

For any vehicle valued at $500 or over, Big Brothers Big Sisters will provide the donor with a receipt within 30 days of the selling date of the donated vehicle. This receipt will include a description of the donated vehicle and the actual gross selling price. The amount stated on your receipt can be used for tax deduction purposes.
For vehicles valued under $500, the donor may use the "fair market value" as a tax deduction.
For vehicles valued at $5,000 or more, an independent appraisal must be completed by a "certified appraiser." Appraisal will be coordinated by Big Brothers Big Sisters after the vehicle has been donated.

Recordkeeping and Filing Requirements

For Deductions...	less than $250	$250 or more, but not more than $500	greater than $500, but not more than $5000	greater than $5000
Recordkeeping Requirements
Name/address of charity
Date of donation
Place where you donated car
Description of car
Contemporaneous written acknowledgment from charity
IRS Filing Requirements
Form 8283, Section A (click here for form)
Form 8283, Section B (click here for form)
Written appraisal

From A Donor�s Guide to Car Donations, Internal Revenue Service 2004
(click here to download from from irs.gov)