Are you wondering how to get a free car?
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Getting around feels impossible without a vehicle, especially if you’re still saving up for one and need a way to go to and from school or work.
If you can relate, this post should lead you to the right organization or free vehicle program, which could help with your lack-of-car problem.
How to Get a Free Car from these 12 Charities
1. OnlineCarDonation.com
OnlineCarDonation.com helps people in need by providing them with cars, computers for students, rescue equipment for search and rescue organizations, and even homes for families displaced by tragedy or economic loss.
To request a vehicle, you’ll need to fill out the form completely.
If you’re qualified, you have to wait about 30 days for someone to contact you.
2. OnlineCarDonation.org
OnlineCarDonation.org accepts all kinds of donated vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trucks, and even boats).
If you’ve fallen on hard times, the organization could give you one of these donated cars, but you need to fit any of these criteria:
- Victims of domestic violence
- Individuals with physical challenges (but are still able to drive safely)
- Families living in shelters
- Self-supporting families graduating from public assistance
- Families of active duty and veteran military personnel
- Non-profit organizations
Applications are done via the form.
Only those accepted will receive a call from the organization.
3. 1-800 Charity Cars & FreeCharityCars.Org
1-800-Charity Cars works with FreeCharityCars to provide free cars to people in need.
1-800-Charity is where cars are donated and funds are raised to buy off old but working vehicles. Cars are towed for free. Yes, even non-working vehicles can be donated here and the organization has them repaired or sold by parts.
FreeCharityCars is where these vehicles are donated to people who apply for vehicles.
If you are part of the medically needy section, the working poor, a veteran or family of military, victims of domestic violence, families living in shelters (or even those transitioning to independence), fill-up the form here to request a vehicle.
4. Vehicles for Change
Vehicles for Change accepts donated vehicles and rewards individuals who are residents of Maryland or Northern Virginia with second-hand cars.
The criteria are quite long:
- You must have a verifiable job offer or be working at least 30 hours a week.
- You must have a driver’s license in the state in which you reside
- You must be insurable (no DWIs or DUIs)
- You must not have any other vehicle in your household
- You must be drug-free
- You must be able to cover fees for taxes, tags, and title (approximately an additional $500)
- If you are under the age of 25, you must have children
- You may need to meet additional criteria required by your sponsoring agency.
Also, Vehicles for Change doesn’t accept vehicle requests directly from individuals.
Applications must be referred by one of the sponsoring agencies listed here.
5. Cars4Heroes
Cars4Heroes is dedicated to helping military veterans and first responders, which is why the application form includes your profession/career, income source, reasons why you’ll need a car, and basic personal information.
Expect a reply within 30 days. If you don’t receive any call or email after 30 days, you’re welcome to reapply.
Every Christmas, Car4Heroes.org hosts the “Cars 4 Christmas” seasonal promotion, where they give away cars to disadvantaged individuals.
6. Good News Garage
Good News Garage is a charity that donates vehicles, including vans and trucks, to eligible recipients based in Vermont and Massachusetts.
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Be sure to check each program by state (since the two states have different criteria and rules for applicants).
7. Working Cars for Working Families
Working Cars for Working Families works with the National Consumer Law Center to help people and low-income families having a hard time getting working cars.
If you’re looking for a free car program, Working Cars for Working Families has a list of up-to-date programs and organizations where you can find a free car.
Each organization in the database may have different requirements, so take a look at those that fit your situation and apply.
8. With Causes
With Causes isn’t exclusive to cars. The organization gives assistance to those in need. Just explain what exactly you need and be specific with details of your situation on this form.
Note that With Causes reviews applications case by case, and determines whether or not they can be of assistance based on their findings.
9. United Way Worldwide
United Way Worldwide accepts donated vehicles, which will hopefully provide someone with a free ride to a job interview or chemotherapy appointment, or help deliver groceries from a food bank to someone in need.
Find your local United Way so they could point you in the right direction.
10. Modest Needs
Before you apply for help, spend some time on ModestNeeds.org website – it has comprehensive information about grant types, eligibility guidelines, and applicant FAQs.
ModestNeeds is funded by generous individuals willing to help other people. As such, the process can be comprehensive and strict.
You’ll need to have either your most recently filed tax return or the most recent bank statement you’ve received for all of the adults living in your household. If you’re unsure of your eligibility, email doiqualify@modestneeds.org to confirm.
11. Goodwill
Not all Goodwill chapters have a car donation program, but if you’re lucky to have one nearby that does, inquire about all the details of their car program or a loan program for vehicle purchases.
Use the online store locator and call the number of your local Goodwill.
12. Charity Motors
Cars from Charity Motors aren’t exactly free, but if you meet the federal definition of “low income,” you qualify to receive a 50% subsidy on the purchase price of your car.
4 Other Places to Get a Free Car
If you’re not eligible for any of the car programs I listed above, you can try the following places as well:
13. Church: Ask Help from the Church
Many churches host donation drives and accept everything from furniture to clothes, food, and even cars.
If you’ve been actively involved with the church, it wouldn’t hurt to ask for help with transportation.
14. From Your Work (Get Hired by Jobs that Give You a Car)
Can you get a free car from Uber or Lyft? Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t really how these ride-sharing companies work. However, you can find a corporate job offering a vehicle or jobs that require field work such as service technician, social work, cable/fiber technician, and many others.
15. How to Get a Free Car from the Government
The government has no specific free car program.
However, there are financial assistance programs like Grants.gov and extensive resources like The Grantmanship Center that could help navigate your journey to finding a free car.
16. Local Car Dealership
They don’t advertise that they give away a free car every now and then, but car dealerships do.
Many local dealerships would be happy to donate to an individual or family in need. Aside from helping those in need, the company also gets a tax deduction for donating one of their old cars.
Free Car Maintenance for Your Newly-Donated Car
If you were lucky to be a recipient of a free car, check these posts about:
