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1.) Do your research. Make sure the organization asking for your donation is a registered charity. Visit your state attorney general or Better Business Bureau Web site to verify your donation is going to a legitimate non-profit agency. Donating to a registered charity is the difference between an illegal and IRS-approved write-off.

2.) Be wary of claims that "100 percent of the proceeds from your donated vehicle go to the charity." Every non-profit organization has overhead expenses related to its auto-donation program that simply cannot be avoided. This means the entirety of the proceeds of the sale of your vehicle is not directed toward the programs and services your charity of choice provides.

It’s likely that between 40 and 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of your vehicle cover costs associated with the operation of the charity’s auto-donation program, such as advertising fees, towing costs, payroll and other expenses. Father Joe's Villages controls all these cost since we directly manage our own vehicle donation program.

3.) Never give to a middleman. There are several companies that claim to give the proceeds of your donated vehicle to your charity of choice. What they don’t tell you is they are not required to give a specific percentage of the selling price of your car – as long as they give something, the middleman is not misrepresenting the service he provides. That means they could give $100 to your chosen charity after collecting $1,000 for your donated car, and it’s completely legal. If you give directly to a non-profit organization you ensure the entirety of your donation – after expenses – will fund the programs and services it offers the community.

Father Joe's Villages never uses a middleman. No other agency is authorized to accept car donations on our behalf.

Still have questions? Feel free to call Father Joe’s Villages auto-donation department at 888. 328.4375. One of our customer service representatives will be happy to help you make a responsible donation decision.

To donate your auto, boat, R.V., motorcycle or van, call 1-888-FATHER JOE (1-888-328-4375), or donate online www.auto-donations.org . Thanks for your generosity.