Where Does Your Donation Go?

What Happens to My Donated Car?

We believe in full transparency. Here’s exactly what happens after pickup — from our auction process to how the proceeds reach Activated Ministries.

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Transparency matters — here’s exactly what happens after you donate

Many donors wonder what actually happens to their vehicle after it’s picked up. We believe in complete transparency about this process — it’s your car and your tax deduction, and you deserve to know where it goes and how the value is determined.

Step by step: from pickup to proceeds

1

Pickup

A licensed tow truck picks up your vehicle, typically within 24–48 hours of your donation. The driver collects your signed title and provides an initial receipt confirming the donation.

2

Assessment

Your vehicle is assessed for its best disposal path — auction, parts resale, or scrap. Running vehicles in reasonable condition typically go to auction. Non-running or heavily damaged vehicles typically go to a salvage buyer or scrap metal processor.

3

Sale

Your vehicle is sold through our network of licensed auction houses and salvage buyers — primarily through Copart, one of the largest vehicle auction networks in the country. The vehicle sells to the highest bidder.

4

Proceeds to charity

100% of the net sale proceeds — after towing and processing costs — go directly to Activated Ministries (EIN: 33-0857142), our IRS-approved 501(c)3 charity partner.

5

Your tax receipt

Within 30 days of the sale, we mail you IRS Form 1098-C showing the exact sale price of your vehicle. This is the figure you use for your charitable deduction on your tax return.

Where the money goes: Activated Ministries

Your donation benefits Activated Ministries, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN: 33-0857142) that has been operating since 1999. Activated Ministries programs include:

  • Scholarships for missionary children pursuing higher education
  • Orphanage support in Uganda, providing housing, education, and care for children
  • Disaster relief responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises
  • Educational programs serving children and families in need

Over 250,000 vehicle donations since 1999 have funded these programs. Your old car — running or not — becomes tangible impact for children and families around the world.

IRS-verified 501(c)3 status You can verify Activated Ministries’ nonprofit status at IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search using EIN 33-0857142.

Frequently asked questions

Your vehicle is sold through a competitive auction process — it goes to the highest bidder on the day of sale. We don’t set a minimum price or control the outcome, which is why the IRS requires us to report the actual sale price (not an estimated value) on Form 1098-C. This protects both you and the charity.
Auction prices reflect actual market demand on the day of sale, which can sometimes be lower than book value — particularly for high-mileage vehicles, vehicles with issues, or certain makes and models with low demand. The IRS rules for vehicle donations specifically require the actual sale price to be used as the deduction amount (for vehicles that sell for over $500), not an estimated value.
We mail Form 1098-C within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale. Sale timing depends on the auction schedule, which typically occurs within a few weeks of pickup. If you haven’t received your 1098-C within 60 days of donation, call us at 877-505-5775.
100% of net proceeds go to Activated Ministries. “Net proceeds” means the sale price minus towing and processing costs. The charity receives everything left after those operational costs — there are no administrative fees or middlemen taking a cut of the charitable portion.
Donated vehicle proceeds go to Activated Ministries’ general fund, which supports all of their programs. While you can’t direct funds to a specific program, your donation supports the full scope of their work — scholarships, orphanage support, disaster relief, and educational programs.

Ready to make a difference with your old vehicle?

Free pickup nationwide · Full transparency · IRS-approved 501(c)3

Start Your Donation → Call 877-505-5775