How Vehicles For Veterans Works | Funding Veteran Charities

Call 1-855-811-4838 or fill out our vehicle donation form to get started today.

Free towing: We come to you, anywhere in the U.S.
Potential tax deduction: Car Donation Foundation is a registered IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit. You can claim this only if you itemize deductions. We can't give tax advice. Talk to your own tax advisor.
Convenient donation process: Our team guides you through every step.
Most vehicles accepted: Running or not, on a case-by-case basis.

big check from Vehicles For Veterans presented to Oscar Mike Foundation — Your generous vehicle donation funds amazing veteran charities like the Oscar Mike Foundation.

Vehicles For Veterans raises millions of dollars every year for American veterans charities. Donors give us cars, trucks, boats, RVs, and motorcycles they no longer need, and we turn those vehicles into cash grants for veterans organizations across the country.

This page explains how Vehicles For Veterans is structured and how a donated vehicle becomes funding for veterans. It also covers the charities we support and what you can expect as a donor.

What Is Vehicles For Veterans?

Vehicles For Veterans is a national vehicle donation program of Car Donation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Car Donation Foundation does business as Vehicles For Veterans, so the two are one charity rather than separate organizations.

Legal name: Car Donation Foundation, doing business as Vehicles For Veterans
Tax status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 26-3408048)
Headquarters: 5775 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 700, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
What it does: Accepts vehicle donations nationwide and turns them into cash grants for veterans charities
Who benefits: Nonprofit organizations serving veterans, service members, and military families
Related programs: Car Donation Foundation also operates Wheels For Wishes and Animal Car Donation

You can read more about our mission, charity recipients, and service area on our About Vehicles For Veterans page. Car Donation Foundation also publishes its financial statements and IRS Form 990 filings on its leadership and financials page.

Our Role: A Fundraising Powerhouse for Veterans Charities

Vehicles For Veterans exists to raise money for veterans charities, and it does that at a national scale. Donors hand us vehicles they no longer need, and we turn them into cash grants that fund housing, service dogs, medical care, mental health support, and much more.

We handle and delegate the fundraising work from start to finish, including pickup, auction, recycling, and processing. That lets our partner charities put their full energy into their missions for veterans and military families, while receiving significant contributions from Vehicles For Veterans.

From Your Driveway to a Veterans Charity

Every donation follows the same path from your driveway to the veterans organizations we support. Here's how it works, step by step.

You start your donation. Call 1-855-811-4838 or submit our online form with basic details about your vehicle and where it's located.
We review your vehicle. Every donation is accepted on a case-by-case basis, and pictures and proof of ownership may be required.
We schedule free pickup. If you donate by phone, we can schedule pickup right away. If you donate online, we contact you within 24 hours of the next business day to arrange a time that works for you.
You sign over the title. Our team helps guide you through the paperwork, and our vehicle donation documents guide explains what you'll need.
Our processing partners sell or recycle the vehicle. Vehicles with resale value are sold at auction, and vehicles too damaged to sell are recycled.
We distribute funds to veterans charities. Every quarter, Car Donation Foundation distributes funds across the veterans charities Vehicles For Veterans supports.
You receive your tax receipt. We mail your tax receipt once the vehicle donation process is complete.

Vehicles For Veterans sells or recycles donated vehicles rather than giving them directly to veterans. This turns nearly any type of vehicle, running or not, into cash that veterans charities can put to work.

Who Does What in the Donation Process

Every vehicle donation brings together several parties, each with a clear role. Here's how the work is divided.

You, the donor: Share details about your vehicle, sign the title, and have the vehicle available for pickup.
Vehicles For Veterans: Runs the donation program, answers your questions, guides you through the process, and distributes funds to veterans charities.
Our processing partners: Handle towing, auction, and recycling so each vehicle can be turned into cash.
Veterans charities: Receive quarterly grants and use them to power programs for veterans and military families.

Our insurance provides coverage on the day we receive your vehicle. For more on the full donation experience, visit our car donation hub.

Where the Money Goes: The Power of Scale

Vehicles For Veterans takes on the costs of turning donated vehicles into funding, including towing, auction, recycling, and processing. On average, around 39 percent of the average vehicle's value goes to veterans charities, and higher-value vehicles send an even larger share because those costs stay fixed.

That share comes from a very large total. Because we accept donations nationwide, Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Vehicles For Veterans has donated over $200 million to charities, with millions of dollars going to veterans organizations every year.

Car Donation Foundation Executive Director, Loren Dorshow, stands next to big check addressed to CDF charities for $175 million — Your vehicle donation contributes to support the important work of American veterans charities across the U.S.

You can see how specific charities put these funds to work on our where your donation goes page. Our transparency page explains more about how we maximize the value of every donation.

Veterans Charities Vehicles For Veterans Supports

Vehicles For Veterans proudly supports a nationwide network of nonprofits serving veterans, service members, and military families. These organizations provide housing, medical and mental health support, service dogs, emergency financial aid, education, and community programs.

DAV (Disabled American Veterans): Provides free, lifetime support to disabled veterans and their families, including help with benefits, medical care, and employment.
Fisher House Foundation: Builds comfort homes near military and VA hospitals where families can stay free of charge while a loved one receives treatment.
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund: Funds and builds treatment centers for service members with traumatic brain injury and PTSD.
Gary Sinise Foundation: Builds specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and supports first responders.
K9s For Warriors: Trains rescued shelter dogs as service animals for veterans living with PTSD, brain injury, and trauma.
Hope For The Warriors: Offers health and wellness, transition, and community programs for post-9/11 service members, veterans, and military families.
Operation Homefront: Provides emergency financial aid, housing, and recurring support programs for military families.
Team Red, White & Blue: Connects veterans with their communities through fitness, social events, service, and leadership.

Vehicles For Veterans also supports The Travis Mills Foundation, Oscar Mike Foundation, the USO, Homes For Our Troops, Veterans Airlift Command, Semper Fi & America's Fund, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Operation Gratitude, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), BraveHearts, Echo Hill Ranch, Soldiers To Sidelines, Minnesota Military Family Foundation, Warrior Bonfire Program, Folds of Honor Foundation, America's Warrior Partnership, wear blue: run to remember, Military Spouse Advocacy Network, and Tee It Up for the Troops. Learn more about each organization on our partner organizations page.

Why Donors Choose Vehicles For Veterans

Vehicles For Veterans makes giving simple, which is a big reason donors across the country choose us. You don't have to advertise a vehicle, negotiate with buyers, or pay for towing.

Free pickup nationwide: We come to your home, workplace, or wherever the vehicle is located.
Running or not: Many vehicles that no longer run still qualify, and our vehicle acceptance page explains how each donation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Many vehicle types: We accept cars, trucks, vans, trailers, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and more.
Guidance from start to finish: Our donation representatives answer your questions and guide you through each step.

Starting a donation takes just a few minutes online or by phone. Donors regularly share their experiences in our donor reviews.

Tax Information for Donors

Car Donation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your vehicle donation may be tax deductible. You can claim this only if you itemize deductions.

We can't give tax advice. Talk to your own tax advisor.

You never need an appraisal.
We send your tax form within 30 days of your vehicle selling.
Your deduction counts for the year you donate, even if your vehicle sells the following year.

For more detail, visit our IRS car donation tax information page. It covers the forms and rules that apply to vehicle donations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are quick answers to common questions about how Vehicles For Veterans works. For more, see our full list of vehicle donation FAQs.

Is Vehicles For Veterans a legitimate charity?

Yes, Vehicles For Veterans is a program of Car Donation Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 26-3408048). Car Donation Foundation publishes its financial statements and Form 990 filings publicly.

How does Vehicles For Veterans raise money for veterans?

We accept vehicle donations nationwide and work with processing partners to tow, sell, or recycle each vehicle. Car Donation Foundation then distributes the funds to the veterans charities Vehicles For Veterans supports.

How often does Vehicles For Veterans give to veterans charities?

Vehicles For Veterans distributes funds to its partner charities every quarter. That support is spread across our full network of veterans organizations throughout the year.

How much of my donation goes to veterans charities?

On average, around 39 percent of the average vehicle's value goes to veterans charities after the costs of towing, auction, recycling, and processing. Higher-value vehicles send an even larger share because those costs stay fixed.

Which veterans charities does Vehicles For Veterans support?

Recipients include DAV, Fisher House Foundation, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Gary Sinise Foundation, K9s For Warriors, Operation Homefront, and many more. The full list appears in the charities section above.

Does Vehicles For Veterans give donated cars to veterans?

Donated vehicles are sold at auction or recycled rather than given directly to veterans. The funds they generate go to veterans charities across the country.

Who picks up my vehicle?

A local towing company working with our processing partner picks up your vehicle at no cost to you. Our processing partner contacts you to schedule a time that works for you.

Does it cost anything to donate my vehicle?

No, pickup is free anywhere in the U.S. You don't pay for towing, and you don't have to deliver the vehicle anywhere.

When will I get my tax form?

We send your tax form within 30 days of your vehicle selling. See the tax information section above for what you need to know.

Can I donate a vehicle that doesn't run?

Yes, many vehicles that don't run can still be donated, and every donation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Call 1-855-811-4838 to find out if we can accept your vehicle.

Donate Your Vehicle to Support Veterans Charities

Your unwanted vehicle can become real funding for organizations serving veterans and military families. Call 1-855-811-4838 or learn more about how to donate your car to veterans.