Kidney Cars

Kidney Cars

What Is A Kidney Car?

The Kidney Cars Program is the most productive fundraising activity of the National Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York. People can make a charitable donation to the foundation in the form of a used car. The donated cars are towed FREE OF CHARGE from their location and then sold at dealer-only auctions or for parts.

Kidney Cars are: used cars, trucks, boats, the occasional tank, we've even taken a private jet or two. Donating Kidney Machines like these to the National Kidney Foundation can help save lives. We sell them, with the proceeds going to kidney research, organ donor awareness, and patient services. Plus, you may qualify for a tax deduction.

Make your car (or anything else that moves) a kidney machine.

TO DONATE YOUR CAR TO THE NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION

To donate by phone:
Call Insurance Auto Auctions at (585) 426-1041 or 1-800-488-CARS

To donate online:
www.kidneycars.org 

Thank you for “Making Lives Better” for kidney patients in our area.

Questions? Contact the Kidney Car Manager

How The Kidney Car Program Works

Two requirements are that:

  1. The vehicle must be whole.
  2. You must hold a clear title to the vehicle.

We will come and pick up the vehicle for FREE! Once the car has been picked up, the car is sold at a dealer auction and the proceeds go to Upstate New York's Kidney Foundation.  The donor receives a receipt to use for tax purposes. 

Who Benefits

Your Car's Ability to Save Lives Goes Way Beyond Seat Belts!

1. You Benefit From a Vehicle Donation

2. Your Community Does.

The Kidney Car Program has helped neighborhood beautification efforts in thousands of communities across the country by removing unwanted vehicles at no cost to their owners, or to tax payers. Neighborhood clean-up programs have a positive effect on safety and property values, not to mention the boost they give to community residents.

3. The Environment Does.

Reducing Air Pollution Since 1992 the Kidney Car Program has removed from the highway thousands of unwanted vehicles, some of which are ten years old or older and have a high level of emissions that pollute the air and destroy the ozone layer.

Increasing Reuse  All Kidney Cars that are no longer in working order are used for parts and ultimately, shredded. The availability of these parts means a cost savings passed on to the consumer.

Increased Recycling  Car parts not suitable for reuse are shredded and recycled. We estimate that last year alone more than 46,000 tons of materials were collected and recycled through our efforts, putting to new use material that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.

And Most Importantly. . .

4. Kidney Patients Do.

Proceeds from Kidney Cars are used in the communities in which they are raised to fund a variety of National Kidney Foundation programs. The money that is raised through this program funds a dialysis transportation service which provides rides to and from the hospital. The proceeds generated also supports public education and organ donor awareness.

The National Kidney Foundation is the Nation's leading voluntary health agency dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. Leading our efforts are the 30,000 volunteers from all walks of life. Together they bring help and hope to the 20 million Americans who suffer from kidney and urologic diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What can I donate?
A: You can donate a car, van, truck, boat, bus, camper, or motorcycle. Just a reminder; the vehicle must be whole and have a clear title.

Q: Will there be any cost to me?
A: No, the NKF pays for the towing of your vehicle

Q: Can I donate a vehicle that doesn't run?
A: Yes, the NKF will even pick it up for you.

Q: How long will it take to have my vehicle picked up?
A: That depends on where you live and if you donate on-line or by phone. The pick up can range from a few days to a few weeks (depending on how quickly you return your title.)

Q: Is my donation tax deductible?
A: The National Kidney Foundation is a non-profit (501C 3 Corporation) so your donation may be tax deductible. Since each case is different, it is best to consult your tax advisor or accountant for details.

Q: How do I determine the value of my car for tax purposes?
A: As of January 1, 2005 the laws regarding charitable car donations changed due to the passing of the Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The law will not affect donors who do not itemize on their taxes.  Donors who do itemize their taxes will no longer carry the burden of determining the deductible value for their donation.  Instead, they will receive a verifiable written receipt from the charity, which will document the gross proceeds raised from the sale of each donated item.  Donors will have the option of claiming the sales price or choosing a minimum alternative amount.  Donors are encouraged to speak to their tax advisors.

Q: I live in a small town where there isn't an NKF office. Can I still donate my car?
A: Yes, the Kidney Car program offers FREE, nationwide, year round pick-up service.

Q & A
Impact on Charity Car Donation Programs Jobs Creation Act of 2004

What does the new federal law mean for charities?
As of January 1, 2005, charities that accept donations of vehicles, trucks, boats, and airplanes -- and later sell these donated items -- will be subject to additional reporting requirements.  Charities will be required to disclose in writing, to each donor and to the IRS, the gross proceeds raised from the sale of their donated vehicle. 

 What does the new federal law mean for donors?
The law will not affect donors who do not itemize on their taxes.  Donors who do itemize their taxes will no longer carry the burden of determining the deductible value for their donation.  Instead, they will receive a verifiable written receipt from the charity, which will document the gross proceeds raised from the sale of each donated item.  Donors will have the option of claiming the sales price or choosing a minimum alternative amount.  Donors are encouraged to speak to their tax advisors.

 Won’t that increase the amount of time it takes before donors receive receipts?
The law requires charities to issue receipts within 30 days of either the donation or sale of each vehicle.

How does this impact car donation as a whole?
When people outgrow a vehicle, they still have the same three options:   

  1. Trade it in to a car dealership;

  2. Endure the hassle and expense of selling it on their own; or

  3. Donate it to a worthy cause and possible qualify for a tax deduction.

Those who prefer to donate their vehicle and receive a tax deduction, still have that option.

Won’t this make car donations undesirable?
No. The same attractive reasons for donating a car to the Kidney Cars Program still exist, such as: helping to fight kidney failure, taking a tax deduction when taxes are itemized, and efficiently transferring a vehicle to another party, all remain in tact.  The largest impact of the law is being imposed on the charities themselves, and the National Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York is ready to handle these additional reporting requirements.  

Could this law enhance charitable car donations?
Perhaps.  This bill could make car donations more desirable because the IRS is unlikely to challenge a deduction that is verified by a documented sales price. Of course, if a person donates a vehicle with the intention of over-inflating its value, then this law will serve its purpose.  The National Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York maintains the highest level of ethical standards in its operations and will uphold the letter and the spirit of the law.

What kind of reaction is expected to this law?
The National Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York expects two profound responses to this bill:  an influx of donated vehicles in the remaining months of 2004, and, due to the increased reporting and operational burdens, a falloff of smaller or less reputable charities that currently accept vehicle donations. 

Prior to the legislation, donors could claim the same tax deduction when donating a vehicle, regardless of which charity received it.  In 2005, this will all change.  A donor’s tax deduction will become contingent upon the charity’s ability to return the highest proceeds on its sale.  The distinction among charities that can achieve this and charities that cannot will become apparent.  In a sense, the donors themselves will become the charities’ watchdogs to ensure the best prices are being returned to fund their selected charities. 

Now that donors have a vested interest in getting the best prices for their vehicle, how will they know which charity to choose?
While the National Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York cannot speak for other charities, the Foundation expects to continue its proven track record of fetching some of the highest per-vehicle proceeds possible.   

The National Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York is proud of its personal investment in learning the automotive sales industry, and has embraced this program from the get-go.  Over the years, Foundation representatives have continually improved and refined the protocol used to sell vehicles to achieve the highest yield in the shortest amount of time.  The National Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York has depth and insight in this area.  

Questions? Contact the Kidney Car Manager

 

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