donate a car Sarasota FL
Donate a Car in Sarasota, FL
Florida hurricane season leaves flood-damaged cars that dealers will not touch - donating one turns storm loss into commissary money for incarcerated Floridians. Free tow pickup reaches every neighborhood in Sarasota, running or not.
No forms on this site — donations are completed with the vehicle donation processor.
How it works
Three steps, start to finish
- 1
Start online or by phone
Begin with the donation link or call 855-500-RIDE. You give the year, make, model, and condition — nothing more. There is no donation form on this site.
- 2
Free tow pickup
A licensed tow operator schedules pickup in Sarasota, FL. You sign the title, the driver collects the keys, and the tow costs you nothing — running or not.
- 3
Proceeds fund commissary grants
The vehicle is sold at auction. Net proceeds fund commissary grants through Soul Tribes International Ministries, and the sale is processed by CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services).
Where the money goes
Commissary grants for people inside
Net proceeds from Sarasota donations become commissary grants directed by Soul Tribes International Ministries — small balances that buy soap, deodorant, and stamps to stay in touch with family.
Commissary money covers soap, toothpaste, deodorant, writing paper, and stamps — the basic necessities prison wages rarely cover.
See where your car goes →The need
Incarceration in Florida
3rd
largest state prison population in the country, behind only California and Texas
Source: Reason Foundation
795
Floridians incarcerated per 100,000 people - far above international norms
Source: Prison Policy Initiative
23,542
Florida inmates aged 50 or older in 2016, up from 15,250 in 2007 - the prison population is aging fast
Source: The Florida Bar
Florida paperwork
Title transfer in Florida
Sign the Transfer of Title by Seller section on the Florida title: record the recipient's name and address, the odometer reading, the sale date, and the selling price (write the donation value or zero). File Form HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle) with your local tax collector office - this removes your registration from the vehicle and releases you from civil liability for anything that happens with the car after the sale. Remove your license plates before pickup, or file the 82050 to avoid a financial-responsibility suspension.
- Notarization
- No - notarization is not required on a Florida title transfer, though FLHSMV recommends notarizing the bill of sale.
- Liens and paperwork
- The donated vehicle must be lien-free at pickup. If a lien is listed on the title, the lender must sign a lien release on the title itself or provide a separate release letter before the donation can proceed. Consult your tax advisor about any tax questions; donations over $500 receive IRS Form 1098-C from the processor.
Consult your tax advisor. Vehicles over $500 receive IRS Form 1098-C from the processor.
Donor thank-you
A free hotel stay
As a thank-you, Sarasota donors are eligible for a free hotel stay — room rate covered, taxes and fees on you.
- Room rate only — the donor pays all taxes and fees.
- Activate the stay within 7 days of receiving it.
- Travel must be completed within 18 months.
- Recipient must be 21 or older.
- One free hotel stay per household per 12 months.
Questions
Donating a car in Sarasota: common questions
How do I donate a car in Sarasota, FL?
Start online through our donation link or call 855-500-RIDE. You give the year, make, model, and condition of the vehicle. A licensed tow operator in the Sarasota area then contacts you to schedule free pickup, usually within 24 to 72 hours. There is no donation form on this site — the process runs through CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services).
Is towing really free in Sarasota?
Yes. Free tow pickup anywhere in Florida - Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and every town between. Running or not, the tow costs you nothing, and you never pay a pickup fee out of pocket.
Does my car need to run to be donated in Sarasota?
No. Non-running, wrecked, and long-parked vehicles are accepted. A vehicle that will not start is towed from your Sarasota driveway, street parking, or storage lot.
What paperwork do I need in FL?
Sign the Transfer of Title by Seller section on the Florida title: record the recipient's name and address, the odometer reading, the sale date, and the selling price (write the donation value or zero). File Form HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle) with your local tax collector office - this removes your registration from the vehicle and releases you from civil liability for anything that happens with the car after the sale. Remove your license plates before pickup, or file the 82050 to avoid a financial-responsibility suspension.
Does the Florida title have to be notarized?
No - notarization is not required on a Florida title transfer, though FLHSMV recommends notarizing the bill of sale.
What if my Sarasota vehicle still has a loan on it?
The donated vehicle must be lien-free at pickup. If a lien is listed on the title, the lender must sign a lien release on the title itself or provide a separate release letter before the donation can proceed. Consult your tax advisor about any tax questions; donations over $500 receive IRS Form 1098-C from the processor.
Where does the money from my Sarasota donation go?
The vehicle is sold at auction by the processor. Net proceeds fund commissary grants through Soul Tribes International Ministries — soap, stamps, and other basic necessities for incarcerated people. Impact figures are reported once verified.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 855-500-RIDE.
Nearby cities in Florida
Donating from just outside Sarasota? These nearby Florida pages cover the same free pickup.
Donate your car in Sarasota today
Free tow pickup across Sarasota and the rest of Florida. Running or not.