When you donate your car during Cartober, you’re doing more than clearing space in your garage—you’re fueling missions that matter.
Each donated vehicle sets something in motion: a service dog trained, a shelter pet saved, a family kept close during a medical crisis. And for the nonprofits participating in Cartober, that impact is deeply felt.
At Canine Companions, vehicle donations help fund their mission of providing expertly trained service dogs to people with disabilities—at no cost. “This year is the 50th anniversary of Canine Companions, a significant milestone for our mission and community,” says Digital Marketing Manager Sai Suzuki Ortega. “We encourage community members to join us by making a car donation to support our mission.” Now in their second year with Cartober, the organization sees it as a meaningful way to grow engagement and reach new donors.
For listener-supported media like Cincinnati Public Radio, car donations are a vital funding source—often exceeding the revenue of a full nine-day pledge drive. This year, the station lost about 6% of their funding due to federal cuts, and they’re hoping vehicles donation can help fill the gap. “Car donations have always been an efficient way for listeners to support WVXU, WGUC, and WMUB, and Cartober brings it all together” says Sherri Mancini, Vice President of Development.
Best Friends Animal Society is using Cartober to spotlight the powerful impact vehicle donations can have on pets in need.“They offer steady and reliable support for the animals,” says Direct Response Manager Casey Smith, “helping to save the lives of more pets and bring about a time where there are No More Homeless Pets®.” Donations help fund lifesaving programs like veterinary care, shelter transport, and community partnerships.
At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC), vehicle donations bring comfort, stability, and a sense of community to families navigating medical crises. “Vehicle donations have helped us continue saying ‘yes’ to families in need,” says Brenda Escoto Carden, Sr. Marketing and Community Engagement Manager. Car donations to RMHCSC help sustain, seven Ronald McDonald Houses, three Family Rooms, and Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. This year, Brenda hopes to reach more supporters and show how one car can drive hope forward.
Other nonprofits are seeing the same ripple effect. From DAV (Disabled American Veterans), where donated vehicles help veterans access critical care, to Georgia Public Broadcasting, where vehicle donations help sustain trusted local news, music, and educational programming in—every car you give is turned into real, measurable impact.
Learn more about how these organizations and the rest of our 2025 Featured Nonprofits are creating impact this Cartober. And with hundreds of additional nonprofits participating, there’s no shortage of ways to give back. Visit our Choose a Nonprofit page to find a cause that matters to you.