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Monetary Gifts

Other Ways to Give

Planned Giving or Gift of Stocks or Bonds

For information on a legacy gift, planned giving or a gift of stocks or bonds, please contact Barb Beckman at 847-409-4094 x113 or barb.beckman@habitatnfv.org.

Building Materials

Whether you have overstock, surplus, or discontinued product lines or display materials, or are involved in remodeling projects where reusable materials are being replaced with new product, we may want it. Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)3 charity, so donations are tax deductible.

We ask for your cooperation in donating only materials that are truly reusable. Please understand that if we feel that we cannot sell an item, we reserve the right to decline the donation, so that ReStore profits are used to build homes and not pay for disposal fees.

Click here for a list of what we can and cannot accept.

Our list changes, depending on current inventory and sales.

Donate a Vehicle

Donate a vehicle to Cars for Homes, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley’s car donation program, to help support local families.

Your car donation is one more way that you can support our work in Elgin, Arlington Heights, and nearby areas. When you donate to Habitat for Humanity NFV we make it quick and easy. Your donation may also be a tax deduction.

We accept cars, trucks, RV’s, vans, SUV’s, boats and motorcycles whether they are running or not. Towing is free!

Start Your Vehicle Donation

Frequently Asked Questions

How does my car donation support veterans in Northern Fox Valley?

Veterans in our community deserve a safe, secure place to call home and a community that honors and supports them. Donating your car to Habitat for Humanity funds programs that will support local veterans through our Veterans Build program!

Your car donation will fund housing repair, affordable homeownership, financial education, employment and jobs training veterans programs right here in Northern Fox Valley.

Why should I donate my car to Habitat to Humanity NFV?

Between 84% and 87% of the gross revenue generated from the sale of donated vehicles goes directly to Habitat for Humanity. 80% of the funding received by HFHI helps local affiliates build and repair housing in their communities. Forbes Advisor has recognized Habitat for Humanity as one of the best vehicle donation programs in the United States three years in a row for this efficiency!
Your vehicle donation may qualify for a tax deduction
It’s fast and easy. Learn more about how vehicle donations work

How do I donate my car in Illinois?

You can donate your car in 4 easy steps:

Start your donation online by navigating to our donation wizard, or call our hotline: 877-277-4344
Our team will ask about your vehicle, including the make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN) and current mileage.
When your vehicle is accepted, schedule a day and time for us to pick it up.
Receive your tax receipt.

What types of vehicles can I donate to Habitat for Humanity?

Car
Truck
Boat
RV
ATV’s and UTV’s
Motorcycle
Construction or farm equipment
Any other vehicle ― running or not

All submissions are subject to evaluation. Due to donation location and condition, some vehicles may not be accepted.

Can I donate a vehicle that does not run?

Absolutely! Your vehicle does not need to be running in order to donate it. But, it does need to have all tires inflated.

All submissions are subject to evaluation. Due to donation location and condition, some vehicles may not be accepted.

What happens to my vehicle after my vehicle donation is accepted?

About half of donated vehicles are sold to licensed dealers through wholesale auctions, giving them a second chance as transportation.. The other half goes to auto salvage yards, where usable parts—like batteries, tires, and fluids—are carefully removed. What’s left is crushed, shredded, and recycled into new steel.

Donated vehicles are not given or sold to the general public; to protect donors and Habitat affiliates, they are sold only to licensed, bonded and insured wholesale dealers. Funding from the sale of each vehicle donation supports Habitat’s local programs in your community—helping families build strength and stability through affordable housing.

After your vehicle is sold, we’ll send you a letter with the sale details for your records.

How much of a tax write-off do I get for donating my car?

When you vehicle is sold, that will determine the value. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, you may be eligible to deduct the full selling price.

If your vehicle sells for $500 or less, you can deduct the “fair market value” of your vehicle, up to $500. We recommend that you talk to your tax advisor to determine your personal tax deduction situation.

What paperwork do I need to donate my car in Illinois?

Donation in Illinois will require a Certificate of Title in order to donate your car.
To complete your car donation, transfer your title by entering the name of the agency that processes our car donations, ADVANCED REMARKETING SERVICES in the buyer/purchaser field. Then, PRINT and SIGN your name in the seller/owner field EXACTLY as it appears at the top of the title.
By signing the title directly to Advanced Remarketing Services, you are legally transferring ownership of your vehicle to Habitat for Humanity.

What are the environmental benefits of donating my vehicle to Habitat?

When you donate a vehicle to Cars for Homes, you’re doing more than supporting affordable housing—you’re also helping the environment.

Many donated vehicles are sold directly to licensed auto recyclers. These recyclers play a key role in processing end-of-life vehicles safely and in eco-friendly ways.

Recycling vehicles keeps tons of steel out of landfills. According to a 2024 U.S. Geological Survey Summary report on mineral commodities, “More than 15 million tons per year of steel is recycled from automobiles, the equivalent of approximately 12 million cars, from more than 7,000 vehicle dismantlers and 350 car shredders in North America.”

Properly recycled cars also help reduce carbon emissions by cutting down the need to refine new materials. In fact, recycling steel saves enough energy to power about 18 million homes for a year.

Donating your vehicle to Cars for Homes is a win for your community and for the planet.

What if I have more questions?

We are happy to answer any other questions you may have. Please email your questions to carsforhomes@habitat.org or call 1-877-277-4344.

start your vehicle donation

Awarded Best Vehicle DonationProgram 3 Years in a Row!

For 3 consecutive years, Forbes Advisor has named Habitat for Humanity’s Cars for Homes program one of the best vehicle donation programs in the nation! This award recognizes the efficiency and impact our vehicle donation program has on our local community. That means, each dollar generated by your vehicle donation helps serve more families right here in our community.

Corporate Sponsorship

Sponsorships provide a way for businesses or individuals to identify themselves with Habitat for Humanity’s name and logo, to participate as active partners in our mission, and to be publicly recognized for their efforts. Corporate sponsor designation is reserved for those businesses that contribute funding, building materials, and/or volunteer hours.

Sponsorship can be a strategy for businesses to:

Broaden their positive public image
Maintain a strong employee environment
Foster customer loyalty
Give back to the community

Corporate involvement is defined in an agreement of understanding engaging the sponsor and Habitat to partner on projects mutually deemed appropriate. Businesses contribute funds and mobilize volunteers. Habitat selects the site and the family, plans the project–including the budget and schedule–purchases materials, and supervises construction,

Corporations can sponsor an entire house or a single build day. For information on sponsorship options, please contact Anne Rand at 847-836-1432 x109.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Legacy Builder

$75,000+ Donation

Full Home Sponsorship
On-Site Event
Press Release
Exact Number of Build Days Are Negotiated
Framed House Photo

Company Name on Site Signage
Logo on Habitat Website
Recognition in Our eNewsletter
Social Media Post
Name in Dedication Program
T-shirt for Each On-Site Volunteer

Master Builder

$50,000-74,999 Donation

Exact Number of Build Days Negotiated
Framed House Photo
Company Name on Site Signage
Logo on Habitat Website

Recognition in Our eNewsletter
Social Media Post
Name in Dedication Program
T-shirt for Each On-Site Volunteer

Builder

$25,000-49,999 Donation

10-20 Build Days
(one for each multiple of $2500)
Company Name on Site Signage
Logo on Habitat Website

Recognition in Our eNewsletter
Social Media Post
Name in Dedication Program
T-shirt for Each On-Site Volunteer

Craftsman

$12,000-24,999 Donation

5-10 Build Days
(one for each multiple of $2500)
Logo on Habitat Website
Recognition in Our eNewsletter

Social Media Post
Name in Dedication Program
T-shirt for Each On-Site Volunteer

Journeyman

$2,500-11,999 Donation

1-5 Build Days
(one for each multiple of $2500)
Recognition in Our eNewsletter

Social Media Post
Name in Dedication Program
T-shirt for Each On-Site Volunteer

* Build Days

A corporate build day is a great team building opportunity and, of course, a significant contribution to Habitat for Humanity. A build day crew consists of 10 to 12 corporate volunteers, 2 to 4 volunteer Crew Leaders, and a staffed Project Director. No specific skills are required, just a willingness to learn and work hard to accomplish the day’s construction goals. Each site has an experienced Project Director to provide all on-the-job training.

Corporations have the option to host a corporate build day for each multiple of $2,500 contributed up to 10. The donation pays for the costs of that day’s construction materials. After 10 days/$25,000, the number of build days and donation amount can be negotiated.

For more information on Corporate Sponsorship and/or hosting a build day, please contact Anne Rand, Community Partnerships Manager, at anne.rand@habitatnfv.org.

Donate to Habitat for Humanity

As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is responsible for selecting partner families, purchasing properties, and funding build projects. Funding comes from various sources, including but not limited to monetary donations from corporations and individuals, the sale of building material donated to ReStore, and from the mortgage payments of partner families. However, there are other ways to donate. If you would like to support our mission, explore both traditional and less well known options listed below.

Monetary Gifts

Your financial support keeps us building affordable homes. There are many ways to contribute your monetary gift to Habitat.

Building Materials

The generous contribution of materials and professional services allows Habitat to stretch each dollar further and build more homes. Find the donation that interests you.

Cars for Homes

When you donate a car, truck, boat, RV, or other vehicle to Habitat for Humanity’s Cars for Homes program, you help people in your community build a house and the hope of a better life!

Corporate Sponsorships

Habitat partners with companies of all sizes. Make a meaningful impact on our community while showing your employees and the community your company values.

Round Your Purchases Up to Support Habitat NFV

Habitat NFV is now listed on RoundUp.org, a platform that partners with Visa and Mastercard to help supporters make an impact by automatically donating their spare change. Each time a registered credit card is used, purchases are rounded up to the nearest dollar, and the difference is donated to Habitat NFV.

For questions, call the office at 847-836-1432 x119 or email Susan Fritz, Director of Development, at susan.fritz@habitatnfv.org.

If your wish to donate items to the ReStore, please go here.