How To Donate A Car To Make A Wish Foundation

How To Donate A Car To Make A Wish Foundation

Donating your car to the Make-A-Wish Foundation is a thoughtful way to give back and help bring happiness to children facing serious health challenges. Rather than letting an unused or older vehicle take up space, you can put it to good use by supporting a cause that changes lives. One of the most convenient ways to donate is through Wheels For Wishes, a program that partners with Make-A-Wish chapters all over the United States. This connection ensures that your vehicle donation directly supports wish-granting efforts in your community.

The donation process is simple and hassle-free. There is no need to worry about the costs of towing or the stress of selling your car yourself. Wheels For Wishes handles everything, from scheduling a free pickup to sending you a tax-deductible receipt after your vehicle is sold. Most vehicles are accepted, even if they are no longer running.
More than just a charitable gesture, donating your car helps fund experiences that bring joy, comfort, and hope to children and their families. Your contribution helps make it possible for a child to take a dream trip, meet their hero, or enjoy a special moment they will never forget.

This guide will walk you through how to donate a car to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, explain which vehicles are accepted, and show how your donation helps make life-changing wishes come true.

What is Make A Wish Foundation?

Make-A-Wish is a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children facing serious illnesses. Since it started in 1980, it has helped hundreds of thousands of kids and their families by giving them moments of joy and hope during tough times. The idea is simple but powerful, a wish can lift a child’s spirits and create happy memories that last a lifetime.

Whether it’s meeting a favorite celebrity, going on a dream trip, or experiencing something special, these wishes bring light when it’s needed most. Make-A-Wish operates through local chapters all over the country and the world. It depends on donations and volunteers to keep making these dreams come true.
Supporting Make-A-Wish means helping bring happiness and hope to children and families when they need it most.

READ ALSO: How To Donate A Car

Why Donate a Car to Make-A-Wish?

Donating your car to Make-A-Wish is a great way to give back and help kids facing serious illnesses. When you donate, your car is sold, and the money goes directly to granting wishes that bring happiness and hope to children and their families.

These wishes can be anything from meeting a favourite celebrity to going on a dream trip, things that make a huge difference during tough times. Plus, the whole process is simple, with free towing and a tax deduction to make it even easier.

Why Choose Make-A-Wish To Donate Your Car?

Your donation helps kids with serious illnesses by granting wishes that bring them happiness and hope.

Make-A-Wish is a trusted organization known for making a real difference in children’s lives.
The process is easy, they offer free towing and handle all the paperwork for you.
You get a tax receipt after your car is sold, which you can use for a tax deduction.
Your old car turns into something truly special that helps make dreams come true for kids who need it most.

What Car Can I Donate To Make-A-Wish?

Make-A-Wish accepts various types of vehicles, including:

Cars
RVs and Motorhomes
ATVs and UTVs
Trailers
Campers
Trucks
Motorcycles
SUVs
Boats
Off-road vehicles
Heavy equipment
Farm machinery
Planes

Can I Donate My Car If It Does Not Run?

Yes, you can donate most vehicles to Make-A-Wish, even if they do not run. It does not matter if your car has been sitting unused for years, you can still donate it to support a great cause.

Donating a car that does not run is usually easier and less stressful than trying to sell it yourself. Plus, you still get free pickup for your vehicle, no matter its condition. In many cases, cars that do not run are recycled. Whether your car runs or not, the money from its sale goes directly to your local Make-A-Wish chapter to help grant wishes.

Can I Deduct My Car Donation?

Yes, when you donate a vehicle to a registered nonprofit, it is tax deductible. Since Make-A-Wish works with Wheels For Wishes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your car donation is fully tax deductible. After your vehicle is sold, you will receive a receipt in the mail showing the amount you can deduct on your taxes. Below is how it generally works:

If your car sells for less than five hundred dollars, you can claim a deduction up to the fair market value of your vehicle, but not more than five hundred dollars.
If your car sells for more than five hundred dollars, you can deduct the exact sale price.

How Is the Value of My Donated Vehicle Determined?

Thanks to IRS rules, you do not need to figure out the value of your car yourself when you donate it to a qualified 501(c)(3) charity like Make-A-Wish. Below is how it works:

If your car sells for less than five hundred dollars, you can claim a tax deduction for the fair market value up to five hundred dollars. You will receive a preliminary tax receipt once your vehicle is picked up.
If the sale price is more than five hundred dollars, your deduction will be based on the actual amount the car sells for. In this case, the charity will ask for your Social Security number so they can complete the required IRS Form 1098-C.

READ: How To Donate Your Car

Documents To Donate A Car To Make-A-Wish| How To Donate A Car To Make A Wish Foundation

Donating your car to Make-A-Wish is a generous way to help, and having the proper documents ready will make the process easier. Beloware the documents you will typically need:

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

This is the unique code that identifies your vehicle.

Odometer Reading

You will need to provide the current mileage on your car.

Vehicle Title

This document proves that you own the vehicle. Ensure there are no liens on the car. If there is a lien, it must be released before donation.

Proof of Identity

This is usually a government-issued identification such as a driver’s license.

Social Security Number (SSN)

If the vehicle sells for more than five hundred dollars, you will be required to provide your Social Security number. This allows Make-A-Wish to file the necessary paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service for your tax deduction.

How to Donate Your Car to Make-A-Wish

Donating your car to Make-A-Wish is easy:

Find Your Local Chapter

Visit the Make-A-Wish car donation page to locate your local chapter and learn their specific donation process.

Provide Vehicle Information

You will need to give some basic details about your vehicle, such as the make, model, year, and condition.

Schedule a Pickup Time

Select a convenient time for your vehicle to be picked up. The pickup service is typically free.

Receive a Tax Receipt

After the vehicle is sold, Make-A-Wish will send you a receipt that you can use for a tax deduction.

Contact Make-A-Wish

5775 Wayzata Blvd.
Suite 700
St. Louis Park, MN, 55416
Phone: 1-888-737-5808
EIN: 26-3408048.

Donating your car to the Make-A-Wish Foundation is easy, meaningful, and makes a real difference. Your old vehicle can help bring joy and hope to children who truly need it. Plus, the whole process is simple, with free pickup and a tax deduction to make it even better. Visit the official website for more information. I hope the provided information is helpful. Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

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