So many ways to donate
Giving securities is but one of the many ways you can combine your charitable giving goals with effective estate and financial planning. Donating appreciated shares of marketable securities can be an attractive alternative to a cash contribution and may provide significant tax advantage for you. For specific information regarding the tax advantages and limitations, please contact your financial advisor.
Making gifts of appreciated securities to the Society is not complicated. If your financial services provider holds the securities for your account, instruct that they be electronically transferred. This is often the most convenient way of donating your stock. If you have possession of stock certificates, mail the unendorsed certificate and a signed stock power to the Society in separate envelopes. Please do not cash out your stock to donate it to the Society. The Society is able to avoid brokerage fees and can obtain more value from the stock by having it directly donated to us.
To learn more about donating stock and obtain our routing number, please contact Angela.Northrup@nmss.org at 760-448-8434.
It’s quick and easy to donate a vehicle, and your vehicle donation may be eligible for tax deduction purposes. Consult your financial advisor for details.
The Society accepts cars, trucks, trailers and motorcycles. We also accept recreational vehicles upon inspection. To find out more information, read our quick guide on vehicle donations. Please read below for the Vehicle Donation FAQs. For all other inquiries, please contact Jared Beck at 760-448-8405 or Jared.Beck@nmss.org.
Vehicle Donation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Will you accept my vehicle? What are the guidelines for acceptance?
A: We accept vehicles on a case-by-case basis. Please fill out the car form to determine whether or not your vehicle meets our current requirements.
Q: How do I donate my vehicle?
A: You can initiate the donation process by calling. The representative will ask for some basic information about yourself as well as the vehicle that you are looking to donate. Then you will be asked to fax a copy of your title (both front and back). Our quick guide on vehicle donations will guide you through the process.
Q: What happens after I fax a copy of my title?
A: Once we receive the faxed copy of your title, we will forward that information to the corresponding towing company.
The towing company will soon contact you to schedule a time and date to have the vehicle and the original title picked up. Sign the original certificate of title where it says, “signature of seller(s),” and place it in the glove compartment for pick up with the vehicle (or you may mail it directly to our address if you are more comfortable doing it that way).
Your receipt will then be processed after the vehicle is picked up, once we confirm that we have all the required title documentation (certificate of title and any corresponding lien release documentation associated with the vehicle) and once the vehicle has been sold.
Q: When will my vehicle be picked up?
A: Since we deal with a number of various third party towing companies, there is not a set time frame that applies to all donations. Generally vehicles will be picked up within 2-7 business days. A representative will inform you on an approximate pick up time for your donation.
Q: Do I need to remove my tags?
A: Yes. You must remove the vehicle’s tags sometime before pick up. Most people remove their tags either the night before or the day of pick up.
Q: When should I cancel my insurance?
A: Most states require that you first remit your tags to the appropriate governmental agency and then cancel your insurance. Check your local and state laws for specific cancellation requirements. For insurance purposes, the date of donation on your receipt will reflect the date that you initiated the donation process (the date that you faxed the copy of your title to our organization).
Q: What do I do with the original title?
A: We need the original certificate of title to successfully complete the transfer of ownership. Please either remit the title and any accompanying lien release directly to the tow truck driver or mail it directly to our organization.
Q: How do I fill out the title?
A: The owner(s) of the vehicle will need to sign the actual title where it asks for the signature of seller(s). When signing, please sign your name exactly as it appears on the front of the title. DO NOT cross out or scratch out anything on the title; doing so will void the title and therefore cannot be used. If you make a mistake, please call us for options to correct the mistake. Please call to inquire if you need assistance in completing the transfer of ownership.
General guidelines on how to fill out the title:
Name of Buyer/Purchaser: National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Signature of Seller(s): Sign your name
Printed Name of Seller(s): Print your name
Q: What happens if I do not have a title for my vehicle, can I still donate it?
A: Unfortunately, we are not allowed by law to accept vehicles without the corresponding title documentation. However, for a minimal fee, you can obtain a duplicate certification of title from your local Motor Vehicle Administration or Department of Motor Vehicles. Please call to inquire if you need assistance in obtaining a duplicate title.
Q: What is a lien release?
A: A lien release or “Notice of Security Interest Filing” is a financial statement of release that shows that the vehicle in question is indeed paid off and does not have any current financial liabilities against it. Once you decide to finance a vehicle, a lien is then placed against it and then the financing company becomes the “secured party” (which means that they have current financial interest in the vehicle). Once the vehicle is paid off, the lien will be released.
Q: Will the receipt be in my name?
A: The vehicle donation income tax receipt will ONLY reflect the person(s) whose name is printed in the front of the title, as registered owner. If your name is not printed on the title, you will need to complete the transfer of ownership form and obtain a new certificate of title in your name.
Q: When will I receive my receipt?
A: The general time frame for receipt processing is approximately a few weeks after your vehicle has been sold. The receipt will be processed once we have ALL the required title documentation (certificates of title and any corresponding lien release associated with the vehicle) and once the vehicle has been sold.
Q: Is my donating tax deductible?
A: The National MS Society is a non-profit, 501C (3) corporation, so your donation is tax deductible. You may be eliglble for a charitable deduction on your Federal Income Tax. Your charitable contribution deduction may not exceed $500, in which case your deduction may not exceed the gross proceeds from sale. Your vehicle donation receipt will state the “gross proceeds from sale” (the vehicle’s selling price) as well as a printed statement that the sale of the vehicle was conducted in “an arm’s length transaction between unrelated parties.”
Q: Why do you require my social security number?
A: As of January 1, 2005, federal income tax laws have changed for charitable contributions of vehicles. In accordance with the new requirements for the charitable organization to supply written acknowledgement, charities are now required by law to print the donor’s social security number to any parties outside the organization and will only use this requested information to comply with the new requirements set forth by the Internal Revenue Service.
Q: Do you accept motorcycles, boats & RV’s?
A: Yes. However, we have specific acceptance guidelines for these types of vehicles. Please fill out the form to determine if you would be able to donate your motorcycle, boat or RV.
Q: Can I help with the towing expense?
A: Yes. We appreciate towing expense donations, which are tax deductible as well.
Q: What percentage of the proceeds actually goes to the National MS Society?
A: 100%. The National MS Society receives 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the vehicle. We do not use any third party, for-profit company, so our organization receives all of the proceeds.
Q: Does this program give vehicles to those in need of one?
A: Unfortunately no. With the stipulations of our current licensing, we are only able to sell vehicles that we receive to licensed retailers, through use of a licensed third party intermediary (i.e. auto auction).
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