Charity Cars Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE VEHICLES TO QUALIFIED NEEDY INDIVIDUALS MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM DEPENDENCY TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND/OR OTHER QUALIFIED ENTITIES ADDITIONALLY, TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES TO UPLIFT HUMANITY.
- Income
- $3.7 million
- Spending
- $3.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $280,601, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $2.9 million spent. WWW.800CHARITYCARS.ORG - THE NATION'S LEADING CAR DONATION/DISTRIBUTION PORTAL. THE ORGANIZATION AWARDED FREE VEHICLES TO STRUGGLING FAMILIES ALL ACROSS AMERICA, AT TIMES PAYING FOR THE INSURANCE, DOWN PAYMENT, TAG/TITLE/REGISTRATION FEES, AS WELL AS MECHANICAL REPAIRS.
- $2,585 spent. WWW.1-877-CHARITY.ORG - A FREE CAR DONATION PROCESSING SERVICE FOR OTHER CHARITIES. 100% OF THE DIRECT NET SALES PROCEEDS FROM EACH DONATED VEHICLE GOES TO THE CHARITY OF THE DONOR'S CHOICE. CONTRAST THAT WITH THE RESULTS OF CURRENT GOVERNMENT STUDIES WHICH CONCLUDE THAT ONLY ABOUT 35% OF THE REVENUE EVER REACHES THE CHARITY WHEN A 3RD PARTY ENTITY IS INVOLVED IN THE CAR DONATION PROCESS.
- $523,536 spent. WWW.FREECHARITYCARS.ORG - A WEBSITE PORTAL WHERE APPLICANTS CAN CREATE A PROFILE TO APPLY FOR A FREE CHARITY CAR. THE WEBSITE GIVES US THE ABILITY TO QUICKLY IDENTIFY QUALIFIED RECIPIENTS IN ANY LOCATION THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.
- $9,803 spent. HOMELESS MEALS AND ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAMS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.