FAQs

How does this all work?

Heroes with emergency financial assistance needs make requests via the Yellow Ribbon Network to be matched with the most suitable non-profit organizations to assist them based on their collective profiles. If a Hero is unable to be matched or has already received the assistance from an organization, he/she can be posted to the isupportveterans.org website.

Does my money really go to Hero's need I select to donate to?

YES! You can donate with confidence that your donation will be pooled with other donations for that specific Hero need. Once 100% of the need has been reached, the Yellow Ribbon Network will release the collected funds to the payee that that individual has designated. (We do not release funds directly to the Heroes)

Can I browse Heroes that I am passionate about?

YES! By using our filters you can narrow the Heroes you can donate to by gender, location, branch of service, etc to ensure you are able to donate your money to the types of Heroes you are looking for. 

How Will I Know When a New Hero Need is Posted?

You can set the notification criteria in your donor profile of the demographics you are passionate about supporting. Select to be notified via email when a need is posted based on gender, branch of service, conflict era, location, etc. We will only notify you if/when a Hero satisfies ALL of your selected criteria but you will still be able to filter and browse the Donate to Heroes section freely.

What is the difference between a self-posted Hero and one posted by an organization?

A Hero who has chosen to "Self Post" was unable to be matched with a Yellow Ribbon Network non-profit partner at the time of their request. Their need is still very urgent.

When a Hero has been posted by a non-profit organization, that Hero has already received the assistance requested, but the organization (with consent of the Hero) has chosen to recoup those funds in order to apply them to similarly situated Heroes they are also assisting. The donated funds will not be used for any other purpose but further assistance of other Heroes.

What are the donation teams I see when browsing Hero needs?

We encourage individual donors to join or create teams of like-minded individuals and compete with other teams for the top spot on our leaderboard. Teams can be faith-based, alumni groups, service teams, corporate teams, sports related, or just about anything else you can think of. You can join multiple teams and your donations will apply to each team you are a member of.

Does the Yellow Ribbon Network take a % of my donation?

You decide. The running and maintenance of isupportveterans.org and all of our other programs is very expensive. The YRN does suggest that you designate a % of your donation to the continual upkeep and enhancement of these sites, however it is not mandatory. You can also donate directly to the YRN if you choose.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes. You can export and print out a proof of donation form from your donation history table at any time. You need only to select the date range, and we will show you donations made during that period.

Do I need to be a registered Donor to make a donation?

No, but we encourage registration so you can take advantage of Donor benefits like quick checkout, team donations, donation history and tax forms, and volunteer opportunities with our Network Partners. You are free to donate as an unregistered guest, but please consider creating a donor account.

I am a Hero with a financial assistance need. How do I Self Post?

Heroes should proceed to www.yellowribbonnetwork.org  and create a free Hero profile. Once logged into your Hero account, place an assistance request on the Yellow Ribbon Network. You will either be matched with a qualified non-profit partner, or given the opportunity to self post to isupportveterans.org if a match cannot be found to provide the assistance you need.

Why do I not see my vehicle donation in my donation history table?

Your vehicle donation tax form will come from the 3rd party vehicle auction entity. Your donation history table is for you to export and print proof of your monetary donations made on isupportveterans.org at tax time.

Will I receive a tax deduction for donating my vehicle?

The sale of your vehicle will support a 501(c)(3) charitable organization so it is tax deductible. Since each donor’s tax situation is different we recommend that you consult your tax professional.

To learn more about how vehicle donations affect your tax status please visit www.irs.gov and search for “car donation”. The IRS has several articles and tips that will answer questions about your specific situation.

The following resources may be useful in answering questions about your particular tax situation.

  • IRS Publication 4302: A Donor’s Guide to Car Donations

  • IRS Publication 526: Charitable Contributions

  • IRS Publication 561: Determining the Value of Donated Property

  • IRS Form 8283: Non Cash Charitable Contributions (Instructions)

  • IRS Form 8283: Non Cash Charitable Contributions

  • IRS Publication 1098-C: Instructions for Form 1098-C,

  • Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes

How will the value of my vehicle be determined for tax purposes?

As of January 1, 2005 the IRS has taken the guesswork out of determining the value of your vehicle for tax purposes. If your vehicle sells for less than $500 you can claim the fair market value of your vehicle up to $499. If your vehicle sells for more than $500 you can deduct the actual sale price of your vehicle. We will provide you with a receipt after your vehicle is sold through Auto-Donation.com.

When will I receive a receipt for tax purposes?

Your receipt will be generated as soon as the vehicle sells. In most cases you can expect a receipt within 30 days from the time we pick up your vehicle.

Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about car donations to Yellow Ribbon Vehicles. If you don't find an answer here, please call our trained Operators toll-free at 1.855.215.4373

8am to 8pm Mon through Fri EST

Who will benefit from my donation?

Your tax deductible donation will go a long way in continuing to support military personnel, Veterans and their families. We are a classified 501(c)(3) charity in mission. With your help, Yellow Ribbon Vehicles provides temporary financial assistance, financial coaching and counseling, housing assistance and education, employment assistance and training to individuals who are serving or have served in all branches of our military.

Will there be any cost to me?

There are absolutely no costs for you. Just fill out the online car donation form, or call one of our friendly Yellow Ribbon Vehicle Operators toll-free at 1.855.215.4373 and they will help with your concerns.

What condition does my car have to be in to donate it?

We accept most vehicles running or not including fire, water damaged or stripped vehicles. To find out for sure, fill out the online car donation form, or call one of our friendly Yellow Ribbon Vehicle Operators toll-free at 1.855.215.4373 and they will help with your donations.

What documents do I need to donate my car?

We would like the title/pink slip to the vehicle, but it is possible to donate without them. Just call one of our friendly Yellow Ribbon Vehicle Operators toll-free at 1.855.215.4373 and he/she will guide you through the easy donation process and continue to work with you through all title issues and concerns. On arrival the tow truck driver who is professionally licensed, bonded and insured will secure all title paperwork on hand.

Do you take vehicles working or not?

We will take your vehicle whether it is running or not.

What if I don't have my title/pink slip?

It is possible to donate without the title/pink slip as long as you are the rightful titled owner. Please call one of our friendly Yellow Ribbon Vehicle Operators toll-free at 1.855.215.4373 and they will help you.

What areas do you service?

We take donations Nationwide. Pick up is always free; in fact there are no costs to you. We will come to your home or office at a time convenient to you. Because of the generosity of the public, we run a nationwide program. We always have one of our friendly Yellow Ribbon Vehicle Operators toll-free at 1.855.215.4373 standing by. 8am to 8pm Mon through Fri EST.

Can you explain the procedure for picking up my donated car?

Once you have called us or filled out our online form, you will be contacted by one of our representatives who will arrange to have your vehicle towed away by a professionally licensed, bonded and insured towing company typically in 24 hours or less. Once you have filled out the Online Form or called one of our friendly operators, you will receive immediate electronic confirmation or a letter via U.S. mail service.

How long will it take for you to pick up my car?

Once you have contacted us, you will be contacted by one of our representatives who will arrange to have your vehicle towed away at your convenience by a professionally licensed, bonded and insured towing company. We typically have your car picked up within 24 hours depending on the distance from our authorized towing service. Just give us a call and one of our friendly Yellow Ribbon Vehicle Operators toll-free at 1.855.215.4373 will help with any questions you may have.

Do I have any liability issues to worry about?

When your vehicle is picked up by our certified towing company, you are then released from future liability for you donated vehicle.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes, your vehicle or vessel donation goes to Yellow Ribbon Vehicles (administered by VeteransPlus http://www.veteransplus.org), a bona fide charitable organization classified with the IRS as non-profit charitable organization. However, individual tax situations vary so please check with a tax professional to determine what if any tax benefit you may receive from a tax deductible donation. You can also visit the Tax Benefits section of this site to find more information.

How do I figure out the IRS requirements for a charitable donation?

The IRS provides a Donor's Guide to Car Donations which sets forth the manner in which the IRS requires you to determine the value of your donated property. The Guide can be seen here.

How will the value of my vehicle be determined for tax purposes?

As of January 1, 2005 the IRS has taken the guesswork out of determining the value of your vehicle for tax purposes. If your vehicle sells for less than $500 you can claim the fair market value of your vehicle up to $499. If your vehicle sells for more than $500 you can deduct the actual sale price of your vehicle. We will provide you with a receipt through Auto-Donation.com after your vehicle is sold.

Is my social security number required when I submit a donation online?

A Social Security Number is not required if your vehicle sells below $500. If your vehicle sells for more than $500 you can deduct the actual sale price of your vehicle, but under IRS law, you will be required to supply your Social Security Number.

When will I receive a receipt for tax purposes?

Your receipt will be generated as soon as the vehicle sells. In most cases you can expect a receipt within 30 days from the time we pick up your vehicle.