Car Donations
In this video, SRQ Vets walks through how the vehicle donation program works, from initial submission to evaluation to direct placement with a local veteran. Unlike national car-donation programs that automatically send vehicles to auction, SRQ Vets first determines whether a donated vehicle can be repaired and placed directly with a veteran in Sarasota, Manatee, or DeSoto County who needs dependable transportation.
Donate a Vehicle. Help Put a Local Veteran Back on the Road.
Unlike many vehicle donation programs, SRQ Vets does not automatically send every donated vehicle to auction. Our first question is whether the vehicle can become safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for a local veteran in Sarasota, Manatee, or DeSoto County.
Each donated car, truck, SUV, or van is evaluated based on its mechanical condition, repair costs, expected useful life, safety, reliability, and the costs a veteran would incur to insure, fuel, service, and maintain it. When direct placement makes sense, SRQ Vets repairs and prepares the vehicle and provides it to a local veteran through our assistance program.
We do not judge a vehicle only by its current auction or resale value. In some cases, SRQ Vets may invest more in repairs than the vehicle’s current resale value when the completed vehicle will provide dependable, long-term transportation and the investment remains a responsible use of donated funds. The value to a veteran may be far greater than the resale price: transportation to medical appointments, therapy, work, job interviews, school runs, and the everyday responsibilities many people take for granted.
Not every donated vehicle is the right fit for direct placement. A vehicle may be unsafe, too costly to repair, or too expensive for a veteran to insure, fuel, or maintain. In those cases, SRQ Vets may sell the vehicle and use the proceeds to support transportation assistance and other direct veteran services. Every vehicle is reviewed individually. Direct placement is our goal when it is safe, practical, affordable, and responsible, but it cannot be guaranteed.
Why Reliable Transportation Changes Everything for Veterans
For a veteran without dependable transportation, even routine responsibilities can become major obstacles. A working vehicle can help a veteran attend medical appointments, receive ongoing therapy, maintain employment, interview for a new job, care for children, buy groceries, and stay connected to the community.
For veterans with disabilities and veterans supporting families, a vehicle can mean the difference between dependence and independence. That is why SRQ Vets considers both the financial value of the vehicle and the life-changing value it can provide to the veteran who receives it.
How the SRQ Vets Vehicle Donation Process Works
Step 1 - Tell us about the vehicle.
Complete the vehicle review form with the year, make, model, mileage, condition, location, title status, and photographs. Submitting the form does not transfer ownership or guarantee acceptance.
Step 2 - SRQ Vets reviews the vehicle.
Our team considers the vehicle's condition, expected repair cost, reliability, useful life, ownership costs, and whether it could be appropriate for direct placement with a local veteran.
Step 3 - We determine its best mission use.
A suitable vehicle may be repaired and prepared for a local veteran. A vehicle that is impractical to repair or too costly to own may be sold to support SRQ Vets programs. SRQ Vets may also decline a vehicle that would create excessive costs or liability.
Step 4 - We coordinate next steps.
After a vehicle is accepted, SRQ Vets will explain the inspection, title transfer, pickup or delivery process, and provide the applicable donation acknowledgment.
Note: SRQ Vets does not guarantee free towing or pickup for all vehicles. Logistics will be confirmed after review.
Are You a Veteran Seeking Transportation Assistance?
This form is for people interested in donating a vehicle. Veterans seeking vehicle repairs or transportation assistance should use the SRQ Vets Request Assistance form.
Assistance and donated vehicles are based on eligibility, available funding, vehicle availability, and individual circumstances.
Submit Your Vehicle for Review
Running and nonrunning vehicles may be considered. Complete the form below with as much information as possible so our team can evaluate whether the vehicle may be suitable for direct placement or another mission-supporting use.
Submitting this form does not transfer ownership, guarantee acceptance, or guarantee that the vehicle will be provided directly to a veteran. Do not sign or transfer the title until an authorized SRQ Vets representative provides instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
SRQ Vets evaluates each donated vehicle for safety, repair cost, reliability, expected useful life, and affordability for the recipient. When practical, the vehicle is repaired and prepared for direct placement with a local veteran in Sarasota, Manatee, or DeSoto County. Vehicles that are unsafe, uneconomical to repair, or too costly for a veteran to maintain may be sold to support SRQ Vets’ local veteran assistance programs.
Direct placement is our goal when the vehicle can be made safe, dependable, and affordable for a veteran to own. However, direct placement cannot be guaranteed. Some vehicles may be sold or declined based on condition, repair cost, ownership cost, or other practical considerations.
No. SRQ Vets may consider both running and nonrunning vehicles. Every vehicle is reviewed individually. Photographs and accurate condition information help us determine whether an inspection or further evaluation makes sense.
Some vehicles require repairs that are not financially responsible, while others may be too expensive for a veteran to insure, fuel, service, or maintain. When a vehicle is not a practical direct-placement candidate, SRQ Vets may sell it and use the proceeds to support local veteran assistance programs.
SRQ Vets may consider cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans in a range of conditions. Acceptance depends on title status, location, mechanical condition, repair needs, expected useful life, and the vehicle’s potential value to the mission.
Vehicle ownership and title requirements are reviewed before acceptance. SRQ Vets will provide instructions regarding the title, any existing lien, keys, and other required documentation after reviewing the initial submission. Do not sign or transfer the title until an authorized SRQ Vets representative provides instructions.
SRQ Vets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Vehicle donations may be tax-deductible as permitted by law. The deductible amount can depend on how the vehicle is used or disposed of and the donor’s individual circumstances. SRQ Vets will provide the applicable donation acknowledgment. Donors should consult a qualified tax professional for advice about their specific deduction.
SRQ Vets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Vehicle donations may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The deductible amount depends on how the vehicle is used, whether it is sold or directly placed, and the donor’s individual tax circumstances. SRQ Vets will provide the applicable IRS documentation. Donors are encouraged to consult a qualified tax professional. Submission of the vehicle review form does not constitute a completed donation or transfer of ownership.