How to Choose the Right Charity for a Will Bequest

Before you begin, be prepared to do a little light internet research. There are many worthy causes from which to choose and you want to select the one that carries the most meaning for you. However, you also need to know that the charity organization you choose has a solid background with legitimate achievements. In this day and age, a charity that does not have an easily accessible web site will not make it very far. Promotion and awareness of their cause is absolutely vital to the success of any charitable objective, so a simple keyword search using terms like ‘Charity Giving’ or ‘Will Bequest’ should bring up several good choices immediately.

Another thing you’ll want to look for is how long the group has been around and what are some of their success stories. Legitimate charity organizations will want to boast about these things, so keep that in mind as you conduct your research. It’s usually a good idea to start with a group that has a local office so that you can more readily follow along with what they are doing. For many donors, this is also done out of a sense of loyalty to one’s community. If you are looking for ways to help veterans or foster children, you should be able to find a group that supports them in your area. Most national campaigns have offices in various cities all over the country, so don’t be discouraged! There are many sound organizations that help a long list of populations in need and they are eager to tell of their success!

When choosing which group is right for you there are two very important things you should know: first, if they are officially recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) charity, as this will guarantee the security of your donation, and second, what percentage of their collections go toward they people they serve. This second piece of information is very important because there is no legal limit to how little a charity has to use actually helping others. This means that that actual amount given to recipients could be as little as 1% of all monies collected. The fact that charities are not obligated to give out this information will actually help you by looking out for groups that either minimize or ignore completely this telling detail. A charity that is truly legitimate will be proud of what they are doing and should volunteer this information as a selling point!

Create Your Legacy by Making a Will Bequest to Volunteers of America New Orleans

            Volunteers of America New Orleans has been proving aid and support to southern Louisiana residents for over 100 years. Visit Volunteers of America to learn about their programs that fund housing for veterans, mentors for children, food for families living in poverty, programs for persons with disabilities, and much more! An average of .88 cents of every dollar collected goes directly toward funding their many invaluable programs. Volunteers of America New Orleans will also guarantee that you receive the maximum tax benefits available for your donation, and their experienced staff can help you make a will bequest that helps as many people as possible while allowing you to choose what you would like to give, how you’d like to give it, and to whom it will be given. You can change someone’s life today! Call (504) 482-2130, or go to www.voagno.org and get started!

Vehicle Donation Made Easy

Charities realize that you’re a busy person, so they’re making it simpler than ever for you to give your car, truck, boat, RV or motorcycle to a good cause. Once you’ve decided to donate your vehicle, it’s time to decide which charity you would like to support with your gift. It will help to research how your charity plans to use your donation, in order to make sure the maximum amount of your gift is going to help people in need. Watch out for online scam sites that offer to collect your car for charity; sites like this donate a portion of the proceeds to good organizations, but keep most of the money for themselves.

After choosing a charity, it’s time to contact them and tell them about your wish to donate your vehicle. Different organizations offer a variety of ways to donate cars, including donating by fax, phone, mail, email and in person. A popular New Orleans’ based charity organization, the Greater New Orleans Volunteers of America, even offers donors the unique ability to donate a car online using a simple form.

There are several things you need to know in advance of giving your car to charity. First, how much is your car worth? This information is helpful for both you and the charity, as it will help give them an idea of how many people they can help with your donation, while allowing you to anticipate how much you can write off as a tax deduction. Second, what’s your preferred mode of communication? If you don’t have access to a fax machine, then donating a car by fax will obviously not be the best choice for donation method. No matter what method you choose, most charities will have a representative available by phone to help you through the donation process.

Once you’ve completed the initial donation paperwork, it’s time to get your car ready to go! Clean out any garbage or personal effects, making sure to check the glove compartment, ash tray, consoles, floorboards and trunk. Coordinate with the charity organization to decide on a time when they will come and collect your car, then leave the keys, owner’s manual and title information on the driver’s seat or in another place that the organization’s driver will easily find them. You might also want to check with the charity to find out if you should remove the license plates from the vehicle, as rules on this differ by state.

Where To Donate A Car In New Orleans

If you’re looking for a trustworthy organization that accepts car donations in New Orleans, the Greater New Orleans Volunteers of America is a great charity to choose. The VOA serves kids, families, recovering drug addicts, the homeless, disabled persons, veterans, and the elderly in communities across 16 Louisiana parishes. Visit www.voagno.org or call (504) 482-2130 to learn how to donate your vehicle.

One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure

Remember that even though you have been driving your car around for years and are ready to get rid of it, it’s still a valuable asset. Whether your vehicle is just out of style or is up on blocks and only good for parts, it’s still good for something. This means you should:

1. Find Out Its Value. You’re entitled to a tax deduction equal to the car’s value. Check Kelly Blue Book (KBB.com) to find out how much your vehicle is worth. Keep in mind that if the car is not in drivable condition and it’s also not worth much, some charities might not be willing to pay for a tow company to pick it up. Cases like this are rare, and a representative of your charity organization will be able to offer a solution if this happens to you.
2. Fill Out Paperwork. For many people, donating a car, truck, motorcycle, or boat is one of the largest donations they will ever give. Don’t miss the opportunity to get credit for this on your taxes. Most charities will be able to provide the correct paperwork, and will help you fill it out correctly.
3. Clean it Up. Don’t bother taking the vehicle to get detailed (unless you want to be extra nice), but do clean out the glove compartment and trunk, make sure there’s nothing under the seats, and throw away any trash or old cigarette butts.
4. Make it Accessible. Make sure the car is easy to get to. Take it out of the garage, or at least make sure it’s easy to move. Clear off any objects that are around, under or on it that could prevent the organization from easily taking the car away.
5. Plan Ahead. Many charity groups will come and pick your car up for you at no cost. Most charities don’t need you to be present, but if you must, arrange a pick up time that fits your schedule. Remember that the charity workers have a schedule to keep, too.
6.  Hand Over Keys and Title. Since donating a vehicle to charity includes ceding ownership, you’ll need to have the car’s title documents. Make sure to hand over any keys you have for the vehicle, including separate keys for the trunk or gas tank. If you will not be present when the car is taken, leave the keys, title and owner’s manual under the dashboard.
7. Remove License Plates. Depending on your state of residency, you may need to remove your license plates. Check with the charity to see if your plates should remain with you, or on the car.

Want to Donate a Car in Louisiana?

The Greater New Orleans Volunteers of America makes it easy for people in the Gulf Coast region to donate vehicles for a great cause. If you’re interested in using your car to make a difference, donate your vehicle to the VOA. For more information on how your donation helps children, the elderly, and the disabled, visit www.voagno.org or speak to a representative at (504) 525-2179.

Some organizations available to donate your car to are actually turning around and selling the vehicle for profit and donating a portion of the money to charity. To be sure your donated vehicle is going to someone in need, there are some things you can do.

5 Things to Do First Before Donating Your Car to Charity

1. You should check the Charity Navigator or Better Business Bureau web site to make sure you select a legitimate charity. Make sure your charity meets the Standards for Charity Accountability. These standards were developed to encourage fair and honest solicitation practices, to promote ethical conduct and advance support of philanthropy.
2. You should consider choosing a local charity, one you are somewhat familiar with or have donated to previously. Choosing a local charity will make it easier for everyone involved.
3. Talk to someone you know who has donated a vehicle and ask about their experience.
4. Before you choose an organization to donate your vehicle, you should first figure out the Fair Market Value of your vehicle for tax deduction purposes. You can search Publication 78 on the IRS website to find out the specific guidelines for calculating the Fair Market Value of your vehicle. You must also take into account any accessories, the car’s mileage and the physical condition of the vehicle. Tax Law Regulations change every few years and so do deduction specifications. It is important to check with the IRS for any changes in tax laws regarding donation deductions.
5. When donating your vehicle you should be certain to choose an eligible organization or your donation may not be tax deductible. Many taxpayers can’t take a deduction for their donated vehicle because they don’t itemize their deductions and choose to take the standard deduction instead. You should be given an IRS form 501c(3) to file with your taxes. There are also record keeping requirements that vary depending on the amount of deduction.

Although it may require a little homework on your part preparing to donate your used vehicle, there is another benefit besides tax deductions. For most people, knowing that you are helping someone in need makes you feel better about yourself and brings a sense of peace and happiness.

Donate your Vehicle to Volunteers of America

If you would like a recommendation for a charity organization that meets all of these requirement listed in this article than we highly recommend Volunteers of America New Orleans. Volunteers of America New Orleans services the Greater New Orleans area who can use all the help they can get post Katrina. If you have an old or new car that you would like to donate for a good cause then click this link here to Donate Your Vehicle to Volunteers of America New Orleans.