We can advise you whether a charity is registered and has complied with registration laws in Connecticut. If it is registered, it may also be listed as a “paid solicitor."
Solicitation Notices
Solicitation Notices are also required to be filed with DCP concerning solicitation campaigns and such notices that state the “Guaranteed Minimum Percentage” which will be provided to the charity by the paid solicitor. This Guarantee is not necessarily an indicator of what monies actually go to the charity, because most solicitation contracts do not include fee arrangements based on percentages.
Car Donation Groups
The organization in which you are interested may be registered in Connecticut, but if it doesn’t actively solicit in this state, it would not need to be, and may be an organization located online. There are some car donation groups that may have claimed a religious exemption, so there are no financial filings on record with DCP or on Guidestar.
Please go to the IRS website for important information under Gifts and Charitable Contributions. Also, be aware that most charities have subcontracted with a third party towing company, and it is this company that actually takes the car and either sells it OR auctions it off. In some instances, the charity receives a flat fee per car donation, not the value or sales proceeds of the car you donate. Check with the particular charity to which you intend to donate to learn the details of their car donation program.
If you are aware of a solicitation by a charity which does not appear to be registered by DCP, please contact our agency at: DCP.Investigations@ct.gov.