+ How do I donate a car?

It’s a very simple process that takes no more than 5 minutes of your time. Call our toll free number (1-833-465-7227) or fill out this donation form. Homeless Cars will arrange the pickup of your vehicle for free, as soon as 24-48 hours after the donation. A receipt of pickup will be issued next business day. A charitable tax receipt will be issued by Homeless Cars (a registered charitable foundation) in the month following your donation.

+ If I fill out the online donation form, how do I know it was received and someone will call me?

You will receive an email letting you know we received your online form within minutes of submitting it. If you do not receive it check your junk folder. A Homeless Cars Rep will call you within the hour to arrange the pickup.

+ Do I need to wash and clean my car before donating?

Absolutely NOT. Just make sure to remove your personal items before our tow truck picks up your car.

+ Why should I donate rather than sell my car?

Donating is a simple and easy way of disposing of an old unwanted car. It also allows you to make a significant contribution to the less fortunate. For example, in 2021, donors like you made it possible to provide the equivalent of 180,000 meals or 60,000 nights in a shelter for at-risk Canadians. When you donate a car you have the potential to save a life. Selling your car means complicated paperwork, putting ads in the newspaper or online, meeting potential buyers, negotiating and hoping the buyer will come through. This is much easier and a feel-good, charitable deed.

+ Can I donate a car that isn't running or has been in an accident?

We accept vehicles in any condition, running or not. All the vehicle needs is four wheels and tires for towing!

+ Will Homeless Cars accept a car that has had the catalytic converter or any other major parts removed?

No. We only accept cars that are whole with no major parts having been removed

+ Do you accept fleet vehicles?

Yes, Homeless Cars accepts fleet vehicles and recycles them. In return, a charitable tax receipt will be issued for the value of the vehicles.

+ Do you accept boats, RVs, trailers or motorcycles?

We accept some motorcycles, RVs, trailers and boats. If you have one to donate, please inquire and we can evaluate whether it can be donated to us at Homeless Cars.

+ Am I responsible if something goes wrong with the car after donation?

Once your vehicle is placed onto our tow truck, your responsibility ends there. You can cancel your insurance at that time.

+ What is not acceptable?

We will not accept a car with any outstanding liens and/or encumbrances on it. We do not accept boats, RV’s and trailers.

+ What type of paperwork do I need to donate?

You will need the registered owner to sign the signature of the seller line on the back of the ownership (Ontario) or registration (Winnipeg). This ownership/registration along with the keys must be provided to the tow driver at the time of pickup.

+ If I don’t have the title/ownership papers, can I still donate?

Yes, as long as you have other documentation to prove ownership of the vehicle. Speak to one of our representatives to discuss options.

+ What if my old car isn’t registered?

We need proof of ownership. A bill of sale would work.

+ I am the Executor /Executrix or Power of Attorney. May I donate the car?

Yes, you may. Please provide a copy of the will or a lawyer’s letter stating such.

+ Does my vehicle need to be E-tested or certified to donate?

Absolutely not. We accept the vehicle as it is.

+ Who will pick up my donated car?

We will arrange pick-up from a local towing company that Homeless Cars partners with in your area. All tow trucks are licensed, bonded, and insured.

+ Do I need to be there when you pick up my car?

No, you do not need to be there. Homeless Cars offers contactless pickup in which the keys and ownership can be placed in the glovebox of the vehicle for a safe and distanced pickup.

+ How do I prepare my car for pickup?

Simply clean out the car of all your personal belongings, take your plates off the car (they are yours to reuse on another car) and leave the keys to your car and the ownership papers in the glove compartment or mailbox and your car will be picked up on the scheduled day. Just let the representative you booked your tow with contactless pickup. If you would like to be there for pickup, that works for us, however, we can only offer an approximate 4 hour window of when we will arrive.

+ Can you pick-up my car from any location?

Yes we can, within our geographical zone. The car must not be in an underground parking lot with a low overhead. If it is currently in an underground, you must be able to drive it out onto the road.

+ Will you call the day of the pick-up with a timeframe?

Homeless Cars is able to provide you with a call when our tow driver is approximately 30 minutes away on the day of pickup. Note that Homeless Cars will only call you if you opt in to receive this call at the time of donation.

+ Do I pay for the car to be towed? Are there any fees for donating my car?

No. Towing is free of charge and there are no fees associated with this program.

+ What happens to the vehicle after it's picked up?

After your donated vehicle is towed away, the vehicle is then either sold, sourced for parts or processed for scrap and disposed of in an eco-friendly manner.

+ What do I do with my ownership?

Please sign and date the back of the ownership and give it to the tow driver. Once it is in Homeless Cars’ possession, we will take it to the Ministry and do the appropriate paperwork allowing for transfer of ownership.

+ What do I do with my plates?

Please remove your license plates. If you are unable to, our driver can help. Plates can be reused on another vehicle or taken back to the Ministry of Transportation for a partial refund.

+ Is it possible to get one of Homeless Cars’ vehicles through buying it or getting it donated from the charity?

No. Most vehicles donated to the charity are not in driving condition and even when they are, we sell our vehicles to our recycling partners. The funding from donated vehicles goes to support our charity partners. If you’re looking for support, check out our charity partners list to see how they can help.

+ Do you accept boats, rvs, trailers or motorcycles?

We accept some motorcycles. We don’t accept RVs, trailers and boats. If you have one to donate, please inquire and we can evaluate whether it can be donated to us at Homeless Cars.

+ How do I prepare my car for pick-up?

Remove all your personal belongings from the car and remove the license plates (they are yours to reuse on another car). Leave the keys to your car and the ownership papers in the glove compartment for a contactless pick-up. If you would like to be there for pickup, that works for us. Simply let the representative you speak with know you’d like to be present at the time of pick-up.

+ Who issues my tax receipt?

Homeless Cars is a registered charitable foundation and will issue your tax receipt based on the fair value of the vehicle at time of donation.

+ When can I expect my tax receipt?

Homeless Cars will issue tax receipts once a month, the month after donation. By Ontario law, you must receive your tax receipt by February for the previous taxation year.

+ How is the tax-receipt value determined?

Based on that industry expertise, coupled with the use of North America’s largest auction database, we are able to arrive at a fair market value which we can both support and guarantee.

The foundation, in compliance with CRA regulations, provides you with a tax receipt for the fair market value of the vehicle you have donated to the charity.

+ Is there a minimum or maximum receipt amount?

The minimum receipt amount is determined by the fluctuating scrap metal prices, however, the current minimum receipt amount is $600 in Ontario and Alberta and $500 in Manitoba. There is no maximum tax receipt amount. We are always happy to appraise your higher-value vehicle prior to donation.

+ I have misplaced my tax receipt or haven’t received it. What do I do?

Please email us at info@homelesscars.ca with your name and the year, make and model of the vehicle and we will email a reissued receipt right away. Alternatively call our toll free number 1-833-465-7227.

+ Where will the money from my donated car go?

Homeless Cars is a registered charitable foundation that supports several charities in the homeless and food insecurity space. View the list of charities here. Net proceeds from car donations are distributed according to where the donation was made. All donation funds stay in or around the community in which the car was donated with all funds staying in Ontario and Winnipeg.

+ Are you a Canadian charity?

Homeless Cars is a registered Canadian Charitable Foundation. All our supported charities and their recipients are also Canadian. We guarantee that the funds from your cars will stay in and help the communities in which you live and donated in.

+ How much of the value of the donation goes to the charity?

Approximately 70% of the proceeds of the donated cars, after administration and marketing, will be given to our registered charity partners in the homeless/poverty space.

+ Can you guarantee that the money from my car donation isn’t going to the USA?

Yes, Homeless Cars gives you a 100% guarantee that all the funds stay in Canada. You can confirm this by going to our partner charities’ websites to see they are all Canadian.

+ Can I use the receipt to claim a tax credit?

Yes, your receipt will be an official receipt for Canadian income tax purposes. You will be able to use the receipt in claiming available tax deductions/credits in accordance with the charitable donation tax rules applicable to your circumstances.