How to Donate a Car to Goodwill
Charitable car donations to Goodwill support job training and placement programs
Donating to Goodwill gives items a chance to be reused by shoppers in your neighborhood. Your generous donations also support Goodwill’s mission: Connecting people to work. Preparing people for life. That’s because proceeds from sales in our store and donation centers are used to fund job training and placement programs that help people find and keep jobs.
Did you know that in addition to donating your used clothes, books, electronics, and toys, Goodwill accepts donations of cars and other vehicles?
Donating a vehicle to Goodwill is easy. Here’s what you need to know to make a charitable car donation to Goodwill.
How is my donation used by Goodwill?
Goodwill works with CarEasy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages the donation process for cars, motorcycles, boats, trailers and other motorized vehicles. Vehicles donated to Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago through CarEasy are sold through used car markets. Proceeds help fund job training and placement programs in the greater Milwaukee & Chicago area.
Donating a car to Goodwill is free
You will not pay for towing or any other services related to donating your vehicle.
You can donate all types of vehicles to Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago
We can accept most vehicles, whether they are running or not. Vehicles that can be donated to Goodwill include cars, trucks, motorcycles, travel trailers or RVs, boats, off-road vehicles, heavy equipment, farm machinery and most other motorized vehicles. Your vehicle must be in one piece and towable, have an engine, and be accessible by a tow truck. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online vehicle donation form or call us toll-free at 844-504-GOOD (4663) seven days a week.
Your vehicle does not have to run to donate it
We can accept most vehicles, even if they do not run. If you wish to donate a non-working car, truck or other vehicle, please note that your vehicle must be openly accessible for safe towing. If your vehicle is stored in a location where you are concerned about towing, such as an underground garage, please contact us at 844-504-GOOD (4663) and we will do our best to assist you.
Car donation pickups are scheduled at your convenience
Once you have provided us with all necessary information via the online vehicle donation form or over the phone with one of our Vehicle Donor Support Representatives, we will arrange to have a licensed tow company pick up your vehicle at a time convenient for you. The vehicle will be sold and proceeds will fund Goodwill’s job training and placement programs—all at no cost to you.
Do I need to be there when my vehicle is picked up?
You do not personally need to be there, but the tow truck driver will need someone to be present when the vehicle is picked up. You can designate a point of contact (POC) for your pick up if you cannot be there. Please provide the name of your POC to CarEasy to ensure a smooth pickup. This person will need to hand over the title and the keys for the vehicle.
What paperwork do I need to donate my car?
All you need at the time of donation is a current and clear title.
What should I do with my license plates?
If your vehicle is registered in Wisconsin, you will need to remove the license plates when the vehicle is donated. Your license plates can be transferred to another vehicle or disposed of.
If you are unable to remove the license plates, you will need to send form MV2514 to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to cancel your license plates. If your vehicle is registered in Illinois, you will need to notify the Vehicle Services Department that you have donated your car, either by mail or in person. Use Form VSD-703, which can be submitted to your local field office or mailed to the Vehicle Services Department.
How long does the entire car donation process take?
The initial pickup can usually happen withing two to three business days after we have worked with you to create your donation record. After your vehicle has been picked up, the entire process of selling the vehicle and providing the money to Goodwill takes from four to 12 weeks.
What tax forms will I receive?
In most cases, you will receive an initial donation receipt from the tow driver at the time of vehicle pick-up. Once your vehicle is sold, you will receive a thank-you letter that serves as a Goodwill donation receipt.
If the vehicle sells for more than $500 and you have provided your tax identification number, CARS will also mail an IRS Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes, to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from the donation.
Your used vehicle has the potential to impact the lives of others in your community. Please consider donating a car, truck, or other vehicle to Goodwill. You can help someone like Ricky, Kaylee, or Antonio start a new life thanks to your generosity.