Car Donation Foundation
Car Donation Foundation (CDF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Established in 2007, the organization operates vehicle donation programs that convert unwanted vehicles—including old and broken ones—into charitable support for other nonprofits. The foundation operates nationwide and has become a significant fundraiser for charities serving children and veterans.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.3M
-3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.5M
+25.0% YoY
Grant Count
91
+4.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$181K
+19.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Car Donation Foundation's mission is to financially support charitable organizations through motor vehicle and other property donations.
The organization operates four primary programs:
- Wheels For Wishes - Supporting Make-A-Wish chapters across the country
- Wheels For Wishes & Wellness - Additional wellness-focused charitable support
- Vehicles For Veterans - Supporting veteran organizations with programs impacting the entire United States
- Animal Car Donation - Supporting animal humane, assistance, and adoption charities
CDF's recipient charities include 56 Make-A-Wish chapters nationwide, 26 veteran organizations, children's charities, pediatric hospitals, and animal welfare organizations.
Grantmaking
Car Donation Foundation distributes funds through a vehicle donation model. Donors contribute motor vehicles which are sold by wholesale auction houses to the general public, with substantially all proceeds donated to recipient charities after expenses.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Car Donation Foundation operates nationwide, with primary funding focus in California, New York, and Minnesota. The organization's programs benefit charities across the entire United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Revenue: $56,238,965
- Total Expenses: $56,574,816
- Net Income: -$335,851
- Total Assets: $11,287,774
- Total Liabilities: $4,100,000
- Number of Employees: 1
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since May 2009
- EIN: 26-3408048
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,287,774 | $11,683,472 | $11,184,528 |
| Revenue | $56,238,965 | $52,879,022 | $52,494,113 |
| Expenses | $56,574,816 | $52,897,093 | $53,522,866 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $237,752 | $181,421 | $61,609 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Operation Homefront ($387,874), Make a Wish Foundation Mid-atlantic ($330,097), Make a Wish Foundation of Northeast California & Northern Nevada ($128,986).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF NEBRASKA OMAHA, NE | GENERAL SUPPORT | $13,567 |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF UTAH MILLCREEK, UT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $48,570 |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF EAST TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE, TN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $16,369 |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF WYOMING CASPER, WY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $16,959 |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF IDAHO BOISE, ID | GENERAL SUPPORT | $17,021 |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE NASHVILLE, TN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,936 |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA & MONTANA SIOUX FALLS, SD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,962 |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NEW YORK NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $23,958 |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF VERMONT SHELBURNE, VT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $24,027 |
| WISHES & MORE FRIDLEY, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $24,911 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEE ORWIG | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| ROGER GERSHIN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ANNE VEACH | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| KARINNE TARSHISH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK KARON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATT ROSENBERG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LOREN DORSHOW | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $280,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Car Donation Foundation has achieved several significant milestones:
Car Donation Foundation Reaches 100,000 Vehicle Donations**100,000 Vehicle Donations Milestone** - Reached in January 2026
Car Donation Foundation Reaches 100,000 Vehicle Donations**$175 Million Lifetime Donations** - Achieved in 2025
Car Donation Foundation Achieves Milestone of $175 Million in Lifetime Donations**$170+ Million Distributed** - Milestone reached in 2024
FinancialContent - Car Donation Foundation Achieves Milestone of $175 MillionThe organization maintains strong donor satisfaction, with an average rating of 9/10 (Excellent) on TrustPilot. Donors report fast and easy vehicle pickup, streamlined paperwork processes, and responsive customer service.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Car Donation Foundation fund?
Car Donation Foundation's mission is to financially support charitable organizations through motor vehicle and other property donations. The organization operates four primary programs: • **Wheels For Wishes** - Supporting Make-A-Wish chapters across the country • **Wheels For Wishes & Wellness** - Additional wellness-focused charitable support • **Vehicles For Veterans** - Supporting veteran organizations with programs impacting the entire United States • **Animal Car Donation** - Supporting a…
How do I apply for a grant from Car Donation Foundation?
Car Donation Foundation distributes funds through a vehicle donation model. Donors contribute motor vehicles which are sold by wholesale auction houses to the general public, with substantially all proceeds donated to recipient charities after expenses. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $16,500,275 • Total assets as of 2024: $11,287,774 • Typical award range: $5,586–$751,724 The organization has distributed over $191 million to charities since 2010, with a milestone of $170 million re…
Where does Car Donation Foundation make grants?
Car Donation Foundation operates nationwide, with primary funding focus in California, New York, and Minnesota. The organization's programs benefit charities across the entire United States.
What size grants does Car Donation Foundation award?
In 2024, Car Donation Foundation awarded 91 grants totaling $16.5M — an average of about $181K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Car Donation Foundation's EIN?
Car Donation Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3408048. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Car Donation Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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