Cars for Charity Inc logo

Cars for Charity Inc

GOLDEN, CO EIN: 84-1479412 Website

Cars For Charity Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Golden, Colorado, that serves as an enabling platform for hundreds of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations across the United States. The organization facilitates vehicle donation fundraising programs, recycling donated cars, boats, motorcycles, and motorhomes into financial support for participating nonprofits.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$738K

+25.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$4.4M

+31.7% YoY

Grant Count

132

+14.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$34K

+14.7% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization's stated purpose is to act as the enabling entity for hundreds of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations located within the United States to undertake and benefit from a vehicle donation fundraising program. Cars For Charity runs the vehicle donation fundraising program, converting donated vehicles into cash for 501(c)(3) organizations to support their programs and services in their communities.

The organization's primary funding focus areas include Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.

Grantmaking

Cars For Charity distributes funds to participating nonprofit organizations through its vehicle donation program. Recent grant activity includes:

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The organization's grantmaking priorities are concentrated primarily in California, New York, and Florida, though it serves participating nonprofits across the United States.

Grant Distribution by State

46states
+38 more states

Cities

AkronAlbanyAlbuquerqueAmesAnchorageAnn ArborArlingtonAshevilleAshlandAthensAtlantaAuroraAustinBaileyBallston SpaBaltimoreBangorBendBirminghamBloomington

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent Financial Data (2023):

  • Total Assets: $588,260
  • Total Revenues: $3,864,172
  • Total Expenses: $3,838,248
  • Total Giving: $4,427,812

Additional Financial Data (2024):

  • Total Assets: $737,567

The organization has been tax-exempt since February 1999 and holds EIN 84-1479412.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$3M$4M$5M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$737,567$588,260$17,324
Revenue$4,645,845$3,864,172$4,793,177
Expenses$4,640,866$3,838,248$4,811,586
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income$324$5$1
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M$4M46 grants202095 grants2021133 grants2022115 grants2023132 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

KQED$187KKUOW$104KCHICAGO PUBLIC RADIO$81KKCLU$77KCONNECTICUT PUBLIC BROAD…$71KCOLORADO PUBLIC RADIO$61KKPCC$50KCAPITAL PUBLIC RADIO$44KKJZZ$44KKCRW$41K

Grant Size Distribution

246 grants across all recorded years

208<$50K23$50–100K11$100–250K4$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Matt Dendorfer - President

The organization operates with a team of two employees.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

MATT T DENDORFERPRESIDENT$48KLINA ROSE R VALENTINEASST VICE PR$35K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
MATT T DENDORFERPRESIDENT5$48,000
LINA ROSE R VALENTINEASST VICE PR10$35,356
ERIC DENDORFERVICE PRESIDE1

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The organization has achieved significant milestones in its vehicle donation program, including reaching 100,000 vehicle donations and $175 million in lifetime donations to charity. The organization has also launched partnership campaigns, including a "Cartober" campaign in partnership with DAV and KPBS.

Car Donation Foundation Reaches 100,000 Vehicle Donations

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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