Disaster Relief
American Red Cross
Accepts car, truck, motorcycle, RV, and boat donations — proceeds fund disaster response, blood services, and emergency aid nationwide.
location_on220 W Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN 46601call(574) 234-0191
location_on Notre Dame, IN
Notre Dame Vehicles Can Do More Than Trade In
An unused vehicle in Notre Dame is rarely a free asset. Insurance, registration, and depreciation continue whether the car moves or not. A charitable donation ends those costs and replaces them with a tax deduction.
St. Joseph County
County
6,754
Residents
bolt Just want it gone?
Just Come and Get It arrow_forward Skip the listings. Get the tax write-off and free towing — our charity of the week handles the rest.
Why a Notre Dame Car Donation Makes Sense
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Free Towing, Anywhere in Notre Dame
Vetted charities cover towing at no cost to the donor. Running or not, the vehicle is picked up at a scheduled time — the donor does not move it.
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Work Only With Vetted 501(c)(3)s
Every charity listed for Notre Dame is a pre-screened, IRS-qualified public charity that accepts vehicle donations.
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No Listing, No Lowball Offers
A Notre Dame private sale means photographs, listings, and strangers talking the price down at the kerb. A donation skips all of it — the charity arrives, the title transfers, the vehicle leaves.
star Featured Initiative
Donate your car. Help save a life waiting for a transplant.
Vehicle donations routed to MatchingDonors.com receive prioritized handling — free towing, title transfer, and IRS Form 1098-C after the vehicle sells. Proceeds fund the matching platform that has connected over 15,000 registered donors with patients in need.
10,000+ patients helped finding a living donor since 2004
Start Your Car Donation
See how much your car could impact a charity.
Charities Near Notre Dame
Well-known 501(c)(3) charities serving Notre Dame — local branches plus national organizations that accept car donations.
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Health & ResearchAmerican Cancer Society
Their Cars for a Cure program accepts vehicle donations with free towing — proceeds fund cancer research, patient transportation, and lodging programs.
location_on601 W Edison Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545call(574) 257-9789
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Workforce & JobsGoodwill
Goodwill Car Donation accepts vehicles in any condition — proceeds fund job training and employment placement programs in your community.
location_on3420 Grape Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545call(574) 258-9903
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Housing & Urban DevelopmentHabitat for Humanity
Their Cars for Homes program accepts donated vehicles in any condition — proceeds fund home builds and repairs for families working toward stable homeownership.
location_on920 E McKinley Ave, Bldg 2, Mishawaka, IN 46545call(574) 204-2655
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Human ServicesThe Salvation Army
Accepts donated vehicles nationwide with free towing — proceeds fund adult rehabilitation centers, shelters, and disaster relief.
location_on1911 E Ireland Rd, South Bend, IN 46614call(574) 299-9680
Donating Non-Running Cars in Notre Dame
A car that no longer starts is one of the worst things to try to sell — buyers steeply discount for the unknowns, and tow costs come out of the seller's pocket. The vehicle still owes registration, though, and most policies require some kind of insurance even on a parked car.
Qualified charities accept non-running vehicles directly. Towing is included at no cost, the title transfers at pickup, and the IRS Form 1098-C arrives once the charity processes the vehicle. The owner is rid of the car and the costs that came with it in a single appointment.
How a Notre Dame Car Donation Works
A transparent, four-step process ensures a smooth transition from vehicle to impact. (The exact process may differ between organizations, these are the general phases)
1
Vehicle Valuation
Your charity will conduct a preliminary assessment of your vehicle's market value and suitability for donation.
2
Title & Documentation Review
Their team verifies clear title, runs the vehicle history, and prepares all necessary transfer paperwork.
3
Title Transfer
The title is officially transferred to the charity. You receive IRS Form 1098-C for tax deduction purposes.
4
Fund Distribution
The vehicle is sold or put to use by the charity, and proceeds fund their mission.
What Kinds of Notre Dame Vehicles Can Be Donated
Vehicle donation is not limited to running passenger cars. Pickup trucks, SUVs, minivans, motorcycles, RVs, boats on trailers, and even snowmobiles and ATVs are accepted by 501(c)(3) charities serving Notre Dame.
Non-running vehicles, salvage-title cars, and vehicles with cosmetic damage routinely qualify. Title questions and mechanical condition are worked through when the tow is scheduled rather than used as a reason to turn the vehicle away upfront.
Car Donation in Notre Dame: Your Questions Answered
Straight answers on donating your car, the tax treatment, and what to expect.
Does the make or model of the Notre Dame car matter? expand_more
Almost any make is accepted — domestic, import, and luxury vehicles are all routinely donated. Acceptance is driven more by title status, location, and condition than by brand.
Can someone donate a car titled in another person's name? expand_more
No. The signature on the title transfer must come from the registered owner. For deceased owners, an executor with the proper estate paperwork can typically sign on behalf of the estate; the receiving charity will confirm what documentation is needed.
Does it matter what time of year a Notre Dame car is donated? expand_more
The deduction generally applies to the tax year in which the title transfer is completed. Donors aiming to claim it in a particular year often start early enough to leave room for pickup and paperwork before December 31.
How is the Notre Dame car's value determined for the deduction? expand_more
If the charity sells the vehicle, the deduction is generally the gross sale price reported on Form 1098-C. If the sale is $500 or less, the donor may deduct the lesser of $500 or fair market value (Kelley Blue Book private-party value is a common reference). If the charity uses the car directly or makes material improvements before selling, fair market value rules apply.
When can insurance be canceled on a donated Notre Dame car? expand_more
Insurance should generally be kept active until the title transfer is complete and the vehicle has been picked up. Confirming the transfer with the state DMV before canceling protects the donor from liability on the vehicle after it leaves.
Will charities accept a junk car or a vehicle valued only for parts? expand_more
Often, yes. Junk cars, non-running vehicles, and cars with major mechanical issues are accepted by many charities and sold at auction or to salvage buyers. Free towing still applies.
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