Making a car donation to a non profit organization has been a long standing practice dating back to 1978. The non profit Davis Memorial Foundation made the first ever can donation program. In its first year, Davis collected only five cars but this was enough to encourage other charities to take advantage of the new fundraising method.

Currently, about 300 non profit organization operate vehicle donations programs and items accepted range from cars, vans, boats, vans and even planes.

Non profit groups require the title of the car during the donation process. Donors that lose the document can approach the nearest office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to request for a replacement copy.