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This page explains how donating a qualifying car can help veterans with housing, health, and employment challenges (and make things easier for you). You’ll learn how to free up garage space, avoid the stress of selling, and receive potential tax benefits. Veteran Car Donations handles vehicle pickup, paperwork, and next steps, so you don’t have to. Since 2015, Veteran Car Donations has worked with trusted nonprofit partners to support communities nationwide. This option is ideal for busy car owners who want a simple way to give back locally and help veterans rebuild their lives.
How Can I Change Lives With My Old Car?
Your run-down commuter car can still do something big for veterans near you. When you donate it with us in San Bernardino, California, you turn a stressful problem into real support for people who served. You clear out space, feel good about giving back, and know your vehicle is being put to work for a good cause.
How Would My Donation Benefit Former Troops?
After military service, life can hit hard and fast for many veterans. Some struggle to adjust to everyday work and home life. Many deal with lasting injuries, illness, and mental health challenges that slow everything down. Finding steady work can be tough, and support can be hard to reach. Without help, some fall into deep money trouble and even end up without a safe place to live.
That is why we are here, and why your donation matters. We work with trusted veteran-focused nonprofit partners to turn your vehicle into real help – no empty promises. You get a simple way to support heroes in your community while we handle the steps that feel confusing or time-consuming. You can read more about our nonprofit partners anytime.
When you donate through our San Bernardino, CA program, we usually sell your vehicle through an auction process. After it sells, we share the proceeds with our charity partners that support veterans and their families. These are IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations that use the funds to deliver practical help where it is needed most. You can also explore our California programs to see how we serve across the state.
- Various forms of assistance for veterans confined in hospitals;
- Housing for those who are homeless;
- Employment opportunities for veterans and their spouses as well;
- Financial and other forms of aid for destitute, low-income, and homeless veterans;
- Therapeutic activities to help rehabilitate disabled veterans;
- Peer support for ailing veterans, their families, and caregivers;
- Nature-based psychotherapy, team building, and family dynamics development programs for veterans and their families; and
- Sponsorship of events that encourage companies and organizations to give back to the veteran community.
What Perks Would I Get As a Donor?
With us, you skip the headaches and take advantage of real benefits. When you look back, you will feel good knowing you helped veterans and made your own life easier at the same time. You get a cleaner driveway, less stress, and a clear path forward without dealing with strangers or messy sales. It is a simple move that leaves you proud.
Here are the perks you’ll get to enjoy in exchange for donating your unwanted car:
- Get a maximized tax deduction.
We partner with IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations that support veterans and their families. When your vehicle sells, you receive the paperwork you need for a possible tax deduction based on the sale results. You do not have to guess what to do next, because we guide you through the basics in a clear way. For the details, check our donation FAQs.
- Towing is free and at your own convenience.
You do not have to figure out how to move a vehicle that will not run. Tell us where it is, and we can arrange a pickup at no cost in many cases. You choose a time window that works for you, so you stay in control of your schedule. Pickup is often available on most days, and you may not need to be there for the tow, depending on the situation.
- Skip the hassles and costs of selling.
Selling a used vehicle can be a long, annoying process, especially if it is damaged. You may have to post ads, answer calls, haggle on price, and deal with no-shows. You might also feel pushed to spend money on repairs just to make it look “sellable,” which can drain your budget fast. Donating with us lets you skip that whole mess and move on.
- Save money.
Keeping an extra vehicle can quietly cost you money month after month. Repairs, upkeep, registration, and insurance can add up, even when you rarely drive the vehicle. When you donate to us, you can stop feeding that money drain and free up space at home. You also avoid putting more time into a car that keeps asking for attention. It is a simple way to cut stress and costs.
How Do I Make a San Bernardino, CA Car Donation?
You deserve service that feels easy, clear, and respectful from start to finish. That is why we keep the donation process simple, with steps that make sense and do not waste your time. In many cases, it only takes a short amount of time to get your San Bernardino, CA donation moving. If you want a simple overview, read how to donate a car in California.
Here’s a quick guide to our three-step donation process:
- Talk to us.
Start by filling out our online form or calling us, and we will walk you through it. Share the basic details about your vehicle, like the make, model, condition, and where it is located. Tell us what pickup time and place works best for you, and we will do our best to match it. You can begin anytime on our donation page and keep the process moving without stress.
- We tow your vehicle.
If your donation qualifies for pickup, we connect you with a local towing company we work with. They come to the location you provided and pick up the vehicle at the scheduled time. We also give you a towing receipt, so you have proof it was removed. That receipt can help you handle your DMV registration and insurance steps more smoothly, based on your local rules and your provider.
- You receive your tax-deductible receipt.
After we receive your vehicle, we move it forward in the process and work to get it sold. Once it sells, we send you a sales receipt by mail or email as soon as it is ready. You can use that receipt when you file your taxes, if you itemize and your situation qualifies. You get clear documentation without chasing anyone down or guessing what you need to save.
These are the basics, and you can keep learning without digging around. If you want quick answers, read our frequently asked questions and get clear next steps. If your situation is unique, reach out and we will help you understand what to do. You can call us or message us, and we will respond with simple guidance you can actually use.
Which Types of Vehicles Are Accepted?
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You can donate more than just a used car, and we often accept vehicles that need work. Still, there are limits based on the type, condition, paperwork, and location, so it is smart to contact us to confirm what we can take. If you are curious how your gift helps, read how vehicle donations support veterans and families. We will help you quickly figure out if your vehicle is a good fit.
Here are the types of vehicles we often accept through our San Bernardino, CA car donation program:
- Cars: sedans, compact cars, hybrids, sports cars, coupes, luxury cars, convertibles, from top brands such as Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Nissan, and more
- SUVs: compact, mid-size, full-size, crossover versions
- Vans: cargo vans, passenger vans, family vans, minivans
- RVs: toy haulers, folding and tent trailers, campers, hybrid trailers, travel trailers, motorhomes
- Trucks: mobile cranes, garbage trucks, refrigerator trucks, tank trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, extended cabs
- Fleet vehicles: limousines, buses, minivans, vans, taxis, ambulances
- Motorcycles: scooters, mopeds, sports bikes, dirt bikes, off-road bikes, cruisers, choppers, touring bikes
- ATVs: three-wheelers, four-wheelers
- Specialty vehicles: motorized wheelchairs, snowmobiles, riding lawnmowers, ATVs, golf carts
- Work vehicles: tractors, landscaping vehicles, farm equipment, construction vehicles
- Water vessels: tugboats, sailboats, speedboats, fishing boats, motorboats, yachts, pontoon boats, catamarans
- Aircraft: gliders, non-commercial planes, helicopters
I’m Ready to Give Back, Can I Start Today?
That beater sitting in your garage may feel like a lost cause right now. But for veterans in San Bernardino who need support, your donation can help fuel real change through trusted programs. You get the relief of clearing space and skipping selling stress, while veterans and families get meaningful help. Reach out today so we can confirm your vehicle qualifies and guide you through the next steps. Start with our online form or call us, and we will keep it simple from start to finish.
Aside from donating a car, you can get involved through volunteering at organizations like the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital and the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System. Feel free to contact these centers directly to ask about volunteer opportunities that support veterans and their families.
Still Have Questions? Find Your Answer Below!
Can I donate an unregistered vehicle without a title?
We ask that donated vehicles be registered and that you have a valid title in hand. Fortunately, we can help you obtain a duplicate title via your local DMV. Our mission is to provide a hassle-free donation process for you.
How does Veteran Car Donations assist local veterans and their families?
We’re dedicated to serving local veterans in communities across the country. Our services provide numerous benefits and solutions, including job training, mortgage-free homes, education scholarships, transportation, and more. We are an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
How does the car donation process work?
At Veteran Car Donations, it’s our mission to make the donation process as simple as possible. Contact us via our online form or by phone at 877-594-5822 to get started. We’ll send a towing company to retrieve your functioning or junk car at a time that works for you. Once we have your vehicle, we’ll put it to use for veteran transportation or sell it at auction. We’ll also provide you with a tax-deductible sales receipt.
Will I receive any benefits when I donate my vehicle?
Our automobile donation program ensures you receive benefits too. We know that when you donate an old vehicle, you want it off your property quickly. Our experts relieve you of the eyesore of a junk vehicle in your driveway and the hassles of owning a car you don’t use.
Selling a car is time-consuming and often results in costly repairs at the buyer’s request. Donate your car for charity, and you won’t have to deal with that stress.
We serve residents throughout the area, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Colton, Fontana, Highland, Loma Linda, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, and beyond.