By donating a car, motorcycle, RV, boat, trailer, or ATV to St. Vincent de Paul, you make a direct impact on the lives of our neighbors. You also can receive a tax credit. We make it easy for you — we’ll pick up your vehicle and take care of the paperwork. All you have to do is give us a call at 513-421-CARE (2273), email cardonation@svdpcincinnati.org or fill out our online donation form.

About our Vehicle Donation Program

Giving a Vehicle of Hope to St. Vincent de Paul is easy, and makes a huge difference is the lives of our neighbors in need. Our vehicle donation program sells donated vehicles through a streamlined process that maximizes funds for providing services to neighbors in need. We accept more than just cars too. Your boat, motorcycle, RV, trailer or ATV can also help struggling families right here in Cincinnati. Proceeds from a donated vehicle can:

  • Help keep families from becoming homeless.
  • Provide beds for children sleeping on the hard floor.
  • Feed hungry families in your neighborhood.
  • Provide medication for patients at our Charitable Pharmacy.

We Handle the Paperwork

Schedule a free pickup of your car, truck, van, motorcycle or RV. Call 513-421-CARE (2273).  We’ll take care of the paperwork for you and provide a receipt that may be used for tax deductibility purposes.

Car donations can also be dropped off at any of our seven thrift stores.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of vehicles can I donate?

Giving a Vehicle of Hope is simple. We accept most cars, trucks, vans, fleet vehicles, trailers, boats, motorcycles, classic cars and even RVs. If you have questions about what can be donated please contact us at 513-421-CARE (2273) or send us an email.

Is my car donation tax deductible?

Yes. The IRS classifies St. Vincent de Paul as a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization. All eligible donations are tax deductible.

How do I schedule a vehicle pickup?

To schedule a pick-up, please fill-out the online donation form or contact us at 513-421-CARE (2273).

How does donating my car or donating my truck help St. Vincent de Paul?

The proceeds of your donation stay here in Cincinnati, where the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been helping Greater Cincinnati and Hamilton County residents in need for more than 140 years.  Our volunteers visit people in their homes to address their most basic and urgent needs, then shepherd them into community programs to enhance self-sufficiency.

My car doesn't run. Can I still donate it?

Yes. St. Vincent de Paul-Cincinnati accepts most donations of cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, wave runners, trailers and other vehicles even if they do not run. The revenue we receive from the sale of all vehicles directly supports St. Vincent de Paul’s programs to assist the needy, so we ask that your donated vehicle is in saleable condition. We will arrange pickup of the vehicle. You may also drop off the car at any St. Vincent de Paul thrift store, or at our Outreach Center in the West End located at 1125 Bank Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45214. The vehicle must be equipped with all components, complete drive train, doors, wheels, decks, interior, etc.

How is the value of my car donation determined?

Changes to federal tax regulations have affected how you value your vehicle. There are three options, depending on your tax deduction plans:

  • If you do not itemize your deductions or if you do not plan to deduct your donated vehicle, no further action is necessary.
  • If you plan to claim a tax deduction of $500 or less, you will need to determine the fair market value of the vehicle at the time of donation. The fair market value may be determined by referring to published used vehicle price guides or by seeking a valuation from another qualified source. Vehicle value sources include Kelley Blue Book or the NADA Book (National Automobile Dealer Association). These sources also are available at your public library. St. Vincent de Paul does not assign a value to these vehicles. At the time of your donation, St. Vincent de Paul will provide you a receipt describing the make, VIN#, and mileage of your donated vehicle.
  • If you plan to claim a tax deduction of more than $500, federal tax law limits your deduction to the sale price St. Vincent de Paul receives for the vehicle. St. Vincent de Paul will send you a letter within 30 days of the sale telling you the vehicle’s selling price. The letter will include your tax ID number (typically your social security number) and the vehicle identification number. Federal tax law requires you to attach a copy of this statement to the tax return on which you claim a deduction for your donated vehicle. St. Vincent de Paul is also required to report this information directly to the IRS. In the event that you initially value your vehicle in excess of $500, but it sells for less than $500, you will then be responsible for determining the fair-market value of your vehicle, not to exceed $500, to use for your tax deduction.

To facilitate the process, upon donation of your vehicle you’ll be asked to declare if you intend to value your vehicle at more or less than $500. We recommend that you consult your tax advisor to help you determine your best course of action.

Do you need my car title?

Yes. The title must be free of financial liens. It must be in the name of the donor(s). You’ll be required to sign the title out of your name, having it witnessed and notarized by a notary public. Title formats and procedures for signing over ownership vary by the state in which the vehicle is registered. Please call 513-421-CARE (2273) for more information.

How long does it take to have my car picked up?

We make the entire process hassle-free. Our donation coordinators are trained to make the process convenient and easy. We usually pick up within a few days.

To schedule a free pick-up of your vehicle, visit our online donaton form, call 513-421-CARE (2273) or send us an email: cardonation@svdpcincinnati.org.