Our Commitment To Transparency 

At Wheels For Wishes, we are committed to transparency for both our generous donors and the local chapters of Make-A-Wish we benefit throughout the United States. Read on to learn more about our mission and where the funds from car donations go, how we address past concerns, what the leadership at local chapters of Make-A-Wish Foundation say about us, and more. 

Where Do The Funds From Your Car Donation Go?

In 2024 alone, Wheels For Wishes donated $5,970,141.37 to Make-A-Wish nationally. This funded on average 535 life-changing wishes for children facing critical illness!

The number one mission of Wheels For Wishes is to help local chapters of Make-A-Wish grant life-changing wishes for children facing critical illness. In fact, Wheels For Wishes is the number one car donation program benefiting Make-A-Wish chapters nationally. Read real wish stories from our blog posts.

Along with Disney and Macy's, Wheels For Wishes is one of the top overall donors to Make-A-Wish in the United States.

So where does the value from your car donation go? How much of your car donation goes to your local chapter of Make-A-Wish. On average, 39 percent of the maximized value we get at auction goes to Make-A-Wish. Curious about what happens after you donate? We've outlined the full journey of your vehicle donation.

This is quite a competitive number for charities and nonprofits. 

What Percentage Of My Vehicle Donation To Wheels For Wishes Benefits Make-A-Wish?

As far as your specific vehicle’s funds go, the percentage fluctuates depending on the value and condition of your vehicle donation. Our team knows how to get the most out of any vehicle at auction, but towing and auction fees are fixed. 

That means if your vehicle is of lower value or in poor condition, the costs of towing and auction/recycling will make up more of the percentage. On the flip side, the percentage given to Make-A-Wish can be quite high if the vehicle you donate is more valuable, because again the associated costs are fixed. You can learn more about how vehicle valuation works on our fair market value page.

When we receive your car donation, we take care of all the work and expenses that go into turning an unwanted vehicle donation into cash for Make-A-Wish. This involves paying a local towing company to pick up your vehicle donation for free, auction fees, administrative costs, and marketing/advertising costs. Learn more about it from our donation process page.

Turning an unwanted vehicle into cash for Make-A-Wish is obviously more expensive than just donating cash directly to Make-A-Wish. For more details on tax benefits, review our IRS car donation tax information to understand what you can claim.

How Wheels For Wishes Makes Car Donation Worthwhile

We’ve worked hard to create an incredibly efficient and well-run network for each chapter of Make-A-Wish we serve. We provide a service to folks with an unwanted car, towing it away and giving a great tax deduction. 

Due to the volume of vehicle donations we work with nationwide, Car Donation Foundation has been able to donate over $123 million to charity since just 2010! If 39 percent of the pie doesn’t seem like enough for you, consider the vast size of the pie itself. 

Because we are able to provide this convenient service for so many generous donors, the impact on Make-A-Wish kids is substantial! Don't just take our word for it—check out our car donation reviews from real donors who have experienced our program firsthand.

Plus, your tax-deductible receipt will match the full amount your vehicle donation sells for at auction. If your vehicle sells for under $500, you can claim the fair market value up to $500.

What Does The Make-A-Wish Foundation Have To Say About Wheels For Wishes?

Here’s Make-A-Wish endorsing the charitable efforts of Wheels For Wishes in 2018: 

“I am writing today to thank you for your organization’s incredible support of Make-A-Wish. To date, the Wheels for Wishes program has generated over $53 million for our enterprise, a financial milestone that translates into thousands of life-changing wishes for children across the United States,” David Williams, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish America said. “ We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Car Donation Foundation and Wheels for Wishes program and look forward to granting even more wishes thanks to your ongoing support.”

How The Wheels For Wishes Car Donation Process Works

You may be curious how the vehicle donation process works with Wheels For Wishes. How does your donation go from an unwanted car on your property to cash for your local chapter of Make-A-Wish to grant wishes for kids? For a comprehensive overview, visit our car donation hub for all the resources you need.

Here’s how:

• You call us at 1-855-278-9474 or fill out our online donation form to donate your vehicle to Wheels For Wishes.
• Within 24 hours of the next business day, we contact you to schedule and arrange your free towing. We come to you and pick up your donated vehicle free of charge. 
• We do not donate your vehicle directly to Make-A-Wish or to a wish kid. We put in the work to get the most value possible from your vehicle at auction or by recycling it. Read more about our donation process and legitimacy for more information.
• When your vehicle is sold, we donate the net proceeds to your local chapter of Make-A-Wish or whatever chapter of Make-A-Wish you choose to benefit. 
• After your vehicle donation is complete, we mail your tax-deductible receipt to you. This tax receipt will reflect the sale value of your vehicle unless it was sold under $500. If it sells for under $500, you can claim the fair market value up to $500. 
• We are incentivized to get the most value from your vehicle, because that means more money for Make-A-Wish to grant wishes, more percentage to Make-A-Wish, and the best possible tax deduction for your particular vehicle donation. Have more questions? Browse our car donation FAQ page for answers to the most common inquiries from donors like you.