Vehicle Donation Program

HELPING PEOPLE GET THERE

UCAP’s “Helping People Get There” program works to decrease transportation barriers for families with minor children who are working to stabilize employment. Since 2008 UCAP has helped hundreds of families through our donated car program, Helping People Get There (HPGT).  

HOW DO I KNOW IF I QUALIFY?

You may qualify to complete an application for receiving a donated vehicle, if you are:

• Currently employed
• Currently working with an Employment Specialist at a qualifying Vocational Services Agency
  (CareerForce Center, SW Minnesota Private Industry Council)
• Have a verified job start date
• Have a household with minor children
• Have a current valid Minnesota driver’s license
• Have or are able to obtain car insurance
• Have no other transportation resources available
• Have earned income at 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

Program participants must complete an initial screening.  If approved, participants will complete a program application form and provide verification of all required documents.  Participants are required to complete UCAP’s Vehicle Program Financial Literacy course and a household budget form.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?

Helping People Get There depends on vehicle donations from the communities we serve.  There may be times when the program has a surplus of vehicles or a shortage of vehicles.  Applicants are put on a wait list based on date and priority ranking.

I WANT TO HELP! HOW DO I DONATE MY VEHICLE?

Helping People Get There is always looking for donated vehicles; it’s how our program has sustained itself for nearly 20 years!  Typically, vehicles that we receive are:

• Older
• Have higher mileage
• Have some repairable mechanical issues or deferred maintenance

Commonly donated vehicles have come from aging or elderly family members who no longer drive, families with recent college graduates who no longer need a student car, and cars that are older with higher mileage and need some repair but owners would rather move it along than pay for additional repairs.

When cars are donated to Helping People Get There, we assess them for cost-effective repairability.  Vehicles that are too far gone to repair without spending more than the vehicle is worth are sold for recycling, and those funds are put into our general program repair fund.  

On the other hand, some vehicles are donated that are quite expensive to license, insure, maintain etc.; think BMWs, Cadillacs, and similar high end luxury cars.  Cars of this nature are usually sold on consignment, as the associated costs to a low-income family are beyond most household budgets.  Again, funds from consignment sales are put into our general repair fund to fix other cars.  

The vast majority of donated vehicles are inspected, repaired, and matched to a family in need of reliable transportation to maintain employment.  Donors receive a 1098-C tax form for their donation, and are able to claim the value of their donated vehicle up to $5,000 as a charitable tax deduction.   

If you are interested in donated a vehicle, contact the Helping People Get There program at: (320) 235-0850 ext. 1307

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