Kidney Cars of Western New York
What Is A Kidney Car?
The Kidney Cars Program is a year round fundraising program of the NKF of Western New York, Inc.. People can make a charitable donation to the foundation in the form of a used car. 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.
- How the Kidney Cars Program Works
- Who benefits when you become a Kidney Car Donor
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
- Impact on Charity Car Donation Programs Jobs Creation Act of 2004
TO DONATE YOUR CAR TO THE NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION
To donate by phone: (716) 874-9895
To donate online: 
Thank you for "Making Lives Better" for kidney patients in our area.
Questions? Contact the NKF of Western New York, Inc. at (716) 835-1323
Kidney Cars Save Lives!
How the Kidney Car Program Works
Two requirements are that:
- The vehicle must be whole.
- 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 NKF of Western New York, Inc.. The donor receives a receipt to use for tax purposes.
Kidney Cars Save Lives!
Who benefits when you become a Kidney Car Donor
Your Car's Ability to Save Lives Goes Way Beyond Seat Belts!
- You Benefit From a Vehicle Donation
- You may qualify for a tax deduction.
- You can eliminate the time, expense, loss of privacy, and possible security risk of selling your own vehicle without having to deal with strangers.
- You may get more of a return by donating your vehicle instead of trading it in.
- You won't continue to pay registration fees, property taxes, and insurance premiums on an infrequently used vehicle.
- You can eliminate costly repairs on your vehicle.
- 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. - 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. - Kidney Patients Do.
Proceeds from the NKF of Western New York, Inc. Kidney Car program are used here in the eight counties of Western New York to fund a variety of National Kidney Foundation programs. The money that is raised through this ongoing program provides funding for emergency patient aid, public educational programs, organ donor awareness activities, early detection screening programs and patient support activities and events.
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. By donating your vehicle to the NKF Kidney Car program you join the ranks of those united to fight these life altering diseases.
And Most Importantly. . .
Kidney Cars Save Lives!
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.
Kidney Cars Save Lives!
How do changes in the tax law affect how I donate my car?
On October 22, 2004, the President signed the American Jobs Creation Act, 2004, into law. It became effective January 1, 2005.
The law applies to all 501 (c) (3) organizations that:
- Accept vehicles, boats, and airplanes as donations; and
- Sell the donated items to raise funds for their charitable mission.
The law applies to donors who:
- Donate vehicles, boats, or airplanes to a 501 (c) (3) that meets the above criteria;
- Donate such items on or after January 1, 2005;
- Itemize their Federal Income taxes.
The law adds additional reporting regulations, which require that:
- Charities must disclose to their donors and the IRS the gross proceeds raised on the sale of their donated vehicle when the vehicle sells for $500.00 or more;
- Donors must use the gross selling price reported by the charity as the vehicle's value for tax purposes if the vehicle sells for $500.00 or more.
The National Kidney Foundation advises donors to:
- Speak to their tax preparers for details;
- Thoroughly research a charity's practices before donating a vehicle.
Nationally, only 30 percent of tax-filers itemize their taxes, according to the IRS.
The National Kidney Foundation received its first vehicle donation in 1991. Since then, over 75,000 vehicles annually have been donated to fund the charitable missions of the Foundation. Nationally, over 540,000 vehicles have been donated, making the National Kidney Foundation's "Kidney Cars" program the most popular and trusted vehicle donation program in the United States. Proceeds from donated "Kidney Cars" fund patient and support programs, early detection and intervention screenings, and organ donation initiatives.
It is expected that by 2010, the number of kidney failure patients in the U.S. will double to over 700,000. Nationally, over 300,000 people have kidney failure and must go on dialysis or get a transplant in order to stay alive. It is expected that at least twice that are at risk for kidney disease and don't even know it.
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 when the vehicle is sold for $500.00 or more.
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 value for their donation. Instead, they will receive a verifiable written receipt from the charity, which will document the gross proceeds of the donated vehicle valued at $500.00 or more. Donors are encouraged to speak to their tax advisors for more information.
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 the sale of each vehicle valued at $500.00 or more.
How does this impact car donation as a whole?
When people outgrow a vehicle, they still have the same three options:
- Trade it in to a car dealership;
- Endure the hassle and expense of selling it on their own; or
- Donate it to a worthy cause and possibly 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 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 will not challenge a deduction that is verified by a documented sales price. The National Kidney Foundation 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 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.
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 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 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 has depth and insight in this area.
Thank you for "Making Lives Better" for kidney patients in our area.
