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(NUI) - Do you need to let go of your unwanted car, truck or van? Have you considered donating it?
Across the nation, an increasing number of charities have turned to car-donation programs as an effective way to raise money.
However, it's important to be cautious when deciding where to donate your car. Be wary of an organization's telemarketers that refuse to disclose information or are vague about where your donation is going.
Follow these tips from the Kidney & Urology Foundation of America Inc. to help ensure that your donation is used as you intended:
* Never speak with a telemarketer or second party.
* Ask what percentage of your donation will go to your intended cause. Ask the organization if it is officially associated with the charity or if it is a private fund-raiser acting on the charity's behalf. If it's a private fund-raiser, inquire what it intends to do with the vehicle.
* Examine what percentage of revenue the charity spends on its charitable programs to the percentage it spends on administrative costs. This information can be found through the state attorney general's office or the secretary of state's office.
According to the Kidney & Urology Foundation of America, your donation to the LifeCars Program will go directly toward fighting kidney, urologic and hypertensive diseases that affect 70 million Americans, nearly one in four people. Money raised will support medical research to find new therapies and treatments, professional training and education, and direct patient support for those suffering or at risk.
The foundation promises that at least 85 percent of the net proceeds raised from the donation of your vehicle will go directly into medical research and patient support.
By donating an unwanted vehicle to the Kidney & Urology Foundation, you also may be eligible for a tax deduction equal to the fair market value of your vehicle. Speak with your tax consultant for details.
For more information on how you can make a donation and save someone's life, call 1-800-63-DONATE or log on to www.kidney urology.org.