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Q&A: How to donate your RV to charity


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More from Outdoor Living Newsletter February Outdoor Living Newsletter
 
RV being towed
Donating RVs makes everyone happy!

My wife and I have an old 1976 Coachmen Leprechaun that we are looking to offload. Are there any charities that we can donate it to that would take it off of our hands? What are the best charities to donate to?

Dear RVer,

Donating your RV to a charity is a great way to help others while helping yourself; your chosen charity receives money for the sale of your RV and the monetary value of your donation can be deducted as a charitable contribution on your income taxes. While there is no "best" charity to donate to, there are some considerations to take into account that will help you make the wisest selection. By following the guide below, you’ll be able to donate your RV to a suitable charity in no time.

Where do I begin?

The first step you will want to take is to get a few names of charities. Search "rv donation" on Google. This will generate a number of charity donation service providers.

You may have preferences as to the charities you would like to support, and some causes may resonate more than others. When you have shortlisted the charities that interest you, give them a call with specific questions.

What to ask?

When donating your RV to charity, there are a number of questions you should ask to determine if the charity is a proper fit. Here are the most pertinent:

  • Do you pickup the RV?  Most charities will send a pick up agent to take your RV away free of charge. Make sure this service is offered, and that it is free.
  • What percent of the donation does the charity receive?  The percent of your donation a charity receives can vary. The answer to this question will give you a better idea of what’s truly being done with your donation. Naturally the higher the percentage, the better.
  • Do you sell donations wholesale or retail?  The answer you're looking for is retail. Retail sales command higher selling prices than wholesale. The higher the selling price, the greater the benefit to you and the charity - the charity receives more money and you will have a larger tax write off.

I've found the charity that I want to donate to. Now what?

After you have selected your charity of choice you will need to provide them with the following information:

  1. Your title or registration. Your RV must be transferable and free of liens.
  2. Year, make, model, VIN #, license #, correct spelling of name(s) from title, and description of property, pick up address.

When the charity receives this information they will forward it to their review committee to determine if the RV is acceptable. If the RV is acceptable, a pickup agent will contact you to schedule a convenient date and time for pickup.

At the time of pickup the pickup agent will ask for your title and you will be required to sign any necessary transferring documents. You’ll then receive a temporary receipt for your donation. You will then receive your tax receipt as soon as your RV is sold.

As a final step, be sure to ask for an appraisal from the charity, as the IRS code requires such documentation in order to qualify for your tax write off.

Donating to charities is admirable and can be simple to do. Do your homework and ask the right questions and you’ll be sure to find a charity that fits your interests, values and benefits everyone involved.

Copyright ©2010 Camping Road Trip, LLC

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5 comment(s) so far...

This is a really good idea. I think I will post it on our facebook. Our website is http://www.floridaoutdoorsrv.com. :) Thanks for staying up to date in the RV world and camping world.

By floridaoutdoorsrv on 1/15/2013 12:03:54 PM

If you have a motorhome you want to donate to a great charity here is a great one that desperately needs a motorhome donation..

www.droneresearch.org

Will be used to travel the country and work with kids/adults with disabilities...

By RVBOB1 on 8/11/2014 10:48:31 AM

What an awesome concept. Donating an RV to charity. I had no idea! This prompted me to do some research and I found 2 that sound pretty awesome - CarDonations4Cancer.org and VeteranCarDonations.org. Check them out if you're considering donating your RV or camper to charity.

By Huntley on 6/7/2017 3:15:00 PM

Not a lot of people know that they can donate their RV's. Organizations like Giving Center accept RV donations and use the proceeds for many causes the organization supports. They provide you with a tax deduction, and you might even be eligible for a vacation voucher. They heavily rely on their donors to continue to be able to help those in need so when you donate you not only get your tax deduction you also get the peace of mind that your donation is helping multiple individuals and families.

By gigigc on 10/19/2017 5:06:55 PM

Giving Centers web site is www.givingcenter.org and the form is https://www.givingcenter.org/donate-rv.html

By gigigc on 10/19/2017 5:07:31 PM
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