Legitimate Car Donation Programs Do Exist
National Veterans Foundation has a car donation program called National Charity Support Foundation that is extremely successful and sets the standard for the car donation industry [“Charity ‘Lemon’ Mills Can Leave Car Buyers With a Sour Taste,” Highway 1, Oct. 24]. NCSF provides a car donation service to all bona fide, IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits for the actual cost of the program, without added fees.
During the first nine months of 2001, the NCSF has distributed $2.7million to 219 charities. Among organizations that have benefited greatly from the program are the American Red Cross, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Union Rescue Mission, AIDS Project L.A., the Alzheimer’s Assn., Jewish Family Services of Santa Monica, the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and schools and churches.
Many businesses have unscrupulous practices, including Fortune 500 companies, from banking and stock brokerages to communications and transportation. The car donation business is no exception.
Charities must beware and be knowledgeable about whom they deal with before they use a car donation program as a major source of income.
Jim Goyjer
Member, Advisory Board, National Veterans Foundation Los Angeles
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
