Print this page
Email this page
Donating your car to the Children’s Law Center is an easy, cost-free way to help ensure that we can continue to make a difference in the lives of the neediest children of DC.
CLC accepts donations of new or used vehicles. Once our agent takes possession of the donated vehicle, it will be sold at auction. The proceeds from these sales go to the Children’s Law Center, excluding the fee CLC must pay vendors to transport and auction the vehicle.
Click here to download the car donation form with details about the vehicle you would like to donate. Then follow directions to fax or mail the form.
Once we have all the information, we will make arrangements with our designated contractor, Car Program Inc., to pick up the vehicle. An employee from Car Program Inc. will contact you within four business days to arrange for pickup of the car. You will not be charged any fees in connection with your donation.
Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles can I donate?
Trains, planes, and automobiles! Well, not quite, but we accept most vehicles and vessels including, but not limited to, cars, trucks, trailers, boats, and RVs.
My car hasn't run in years. Can I still donate it?
Yes, we are able to accept most vehicles, running or not (exceptions include older vehicles whose value will not offset the cost of towing). To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete and submit the car donation form.
What do I need to donate my vehicle?
We would like the title to the vehicle, but may be able to accept the donation even if you do not have it. To find out if CLC can accept your donation, please call Car Program Inc. toll-free at 1.800.513.6560, seven days a week (be sure to tell them that you would like to donate the vehicle to the Children’s Law Center).
Can you pick up vehicles in all 50 states?
Yes. Car Program Inc. accepts vehicles from the Continental U.S. and Hawaii.
How will my car be picked up?
Car Program Inc. will arrange to have your vehicle towed away by a professionally licensed, bonded and insured towing company.
How long will it take to pick up my car?
Car Program Inc. will arrange for a towing company to contact you via telephone within three to four business days. If you need your car picked up sooner, please let us know, as we are often able to accommodate rush orders.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, vehicle and vessel donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. However, individual tax situations vary, so please check with a tax professional to determine what tax benefit you may receive from your donation.
How does my tax donation work?
The IRS allows you, the taxpayer, to claim a tax deduction of (a) the value of your vehicle up to $500; or (b) if we sell the vehicle for more than $500 we will mail you a postcard with that value for your tax purposes. For additional information, please review IRS Publication 4303 — A Donor's Guide to Car Donations.
How can I contact you to schedule a pickup?
Please complete and submit our online form or call Car Program Inc. toll-free, seven days a week, at 1.800.513.6560. You can also call CLC directly at 202.467.4900 x571.
Please feel free to contact Car Program Inc. or CLC with any further questions you may have.
“Children's Law Center is our best organizational partner and we turn to them often for legal guidance and support. When I think of CLC I think of their unique expertise and extensive knowledge, their generosity in sharing that knowledge with our community, and their integrity in conducting this important work. The lives of the children and families they serve are significantly improved because CLC exists.”
-Margie Chalofsky,
Executive Director,
Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC)
