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
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
States
Cities
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.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
246 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Kqed ($186,750), Kuow ($103,702), Chicago Public Radio ($81,249).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA PUBLIC RADIO TUSCALOOSA, AL | — | $8,040 |
| AQUIDNECK LAND TRUST MIDDLETOWN, RI | — | $9,492 |
| ARIZONA PUBLIC MEDIA TUCSON, AZ | — | $21,291 |
| ASPCA NEW YORK, NY | — | $14,771 |
| BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO BOISE, ID | — | $8,517 |
| BUILT TO BE CENTENNIAL, CO | — | $6,825 |
| CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE SANTA ROSA, CA | — | $9,091 |
| CAPITAL PUBLIC RADIO SACRAMENTO, CA | — | $44,393 |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC RADIO CHICAGO, IL | — | $81,249 |
| CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL FRONT ROYAL, VA | — | $25,029 |
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
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATT T DENDORFER | PRESIDENT | 5 | $48,000 |
| LINA ROSE R VALENTINE | ASST VICE PR | 10 | $35,356 |
| ERIC DENDORFER | VICE PRESIDE | 1 | — |
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 DonationsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cars for Charity Inc fund?
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, Volunta…
How do I apply for a grant from Cars for Charity Inc?
Cars For Charity distributes funds to participating nonprofit organizations through its vehicle donation program. Recent grant activity includes: • Minnesota Public Radio American Public Media: $425,021 (2023) • American University (AU): $242,283 (2023) Typical grant awards range from $5,010 to $569,494. The organization's total giving reached $4,427,812 in its most recent filing.
Where does Cars for Charity Inc make grants?
The organization's grantmaking priorities are concentrated primarily in California, New York, and Florida, though it serves participating nonprofits across the United States.
What size grants does Cars for Charity Inc award?
In 2024, Cars for Charity Inc awarded 132 grants totaling $4.4M — an average of about $34K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cars for Charity Inc's EIN?
Cars for Charity Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1479412. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cars for Charity Inc'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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