Donating a car in memory of a loved one is a heartfelt way to celebrate their life and passions, especially if they cherished their vehicle. It’s an opportunity to honor them while making a difference in the lives of others. At Ride Revive, we understand that this process should be as straightforward and meaningful as possible.
When you donate a vehicle in memory of someone, we can recognize their legacy within our charity’s records and send a tribute card to their family. Please note that the title must be in your name, as the current owner, to facilitate the donation. We’ll also provide you with an IRS tax receipt for your generous contribution.
How to make it happen
Contact Ride Revive
Start by reaching out to Ride Revive to discuss your intention to donate a car in memory of your loved one. We will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Prepare the Title
Ensure that the vehicle title is in your name. If the title is still in your deceased loved one’s name, you may need to address estate-probate considerations before moving forward.
Complete the Donation Form
Fill out our donation form with the necessary details of the vehicle and include the name of the individual you’re honoring. This ensures that their memory is honored in our records.
Schedule Vehicle Pickup
Once your donation form is processed, we’ll coordinate a convenient pickup time for your vehicle. We handle all the logistics, making this a smooth experience for you.
Receive Confirmation
After your vehicle is picked up, you will receive an IRS receipt for tax purposes, and we will send a tribute card to the family to notify them of your generous donation.
Common gotchas
Title Issues
Tip: If the vehicle title is still in the deceased’s name, this could complicate the donation. You may need to work through estate procedures to transfer the title.
Notification Preferences
Tip: Be sure to provide accurate details for the tribute card. This is a thoughtful gesture, and we want to ensure the family receives it promptly.
Tax Receipt Basics
Tip: Remember, the IRS provides tax receipts based on the fair market value of the vehicle. If it’s worth more than $500, you’ll need to complete IRS Form 1098-C.
If this path doesn't fit
If donating the car isn’t feasible—perhaps due to title issues or estate complexities—consider exploring other charitable options. You might look into selling the vehicle, giving the proceeds to charity in memory of your loved one, or making a donation of a different kind, such as cash or goods, to honor their memory.
Denver DMV specifics
In Colorado, you’ll need to ensure the vehicle title is properly transferred to your name if it’s still in the name of the deceased. Check with the Colorado DMV for any required paperwork and remember to release any liens and surrender the license plates once the donation is complete.