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Shopping for a vehicle can be practical. Buying one at a charity car auction can be practical and meaningful.
At America Can! Cars for Kids, every vehicle in our auction starts with a donation. The vehicles sold through our program are donated to the charity, and the auction is open to the public with live, online, and proxy bidding options available. Proceeds from these donated vehicles support Texans Can Academies, helping students access the education and support they need to graduate.
For buyers, that means a different kind of car-shopping experience. You are not just purchasing transportation. You are participating in a giving model that helps fund second chances for students across Texas. Cars for Kids says it is the only charity-owned and operated car donation program where 100% of net proceeds go directly to support the kids, and its program supports Texans Can Academies students through vehicle donations and auction sales.
The model is simple:
That is what makes the auction different from a typical used-car purchase. Each bid helps support a nonprofit mission tied to education, graduation, and student services.
When you purchase through Cars for Kids, your money does more than buy a vehicle. It helps fund student support through Texans Can Academies. Cars for Kids says donations support education as well as needs such as food, housing, clothing, childcare, and other essentials for at-risk youth.
Cars for Kids states that its charity car auction is open to the public, with live, online, and proxy bidding available. That gives buyers multiple ways to participate.
The auction page promotes new inventory every week, which is a strong benefit for buyers who want fresh vehicle options on a regular basis.
Cars for Kids’ auction page highlights that buyers “set the price” through bidding and requires an initial refundable deposit to participate in the live auction. For many shoppers, that creates an affordable entry point compared with traditional dealership shopping.
For donors, vehicle giving may come with tax advantages. The IRS explains that when a charity sells a donated vehicle, the donor’s deduction is generally limited to the gross proceeds from the sale, with certain exceptions. The IRS also requires a timely written acknowledgment, and Form 1098-C applies to qualified vehicle contributions claimed at more than $500.
Cars for Kids states that donors may be eligible for a tax deduction and that the organization provides the paperwork needed after the donation and sale process.
A good website-safe way to say this is:
If you’re donating a vehicle, you may be eligible for a tax deduction. Because tax situations vary, consult your tax advisor for guidance on your specific return. This aligns with Cars for Kids’ own guidance directing donors to seek tax advice and review IRS information.
Tax season can also be a great time for buyers.
If you are receiving a refund, using your tax refund to buy a used car at a charity auction can be a smart move. Instead of spending that refund on short-term purchases, you can put it toward a vehicle you need while also supporting students through Texans Can Academies. Because the auction is open to the public and features regularly updated inventory, it can be a useful option for buyers looking for a budget-friendly vehicle purchase with community impact.
This message works especially well for search and paid media because it connects two strong intents:
Cars for Kids is not just an auction. It is a fundraising engine built around donated vehicles and student outcomes. Cars for Kids says it is a 501(c)(3) charity, operates in all 50 states, and directs support to Texans Can Academies. Texans Can Academies serves thousands of students in Texas, and Cars for Kids positions vehicle donation and auction participation as part of that support system.
So whether you are:
you are participating in a model where transportation and philanthropy meet.
Explore the next auction, view available inventory, or learn more about donating a vehicle through Cars for Kids.
Auction details: www.carsforkids.org/Auction
Vehicle donations: www.carsforkids.org/social
Phone: 866-835-5437
Cars for Kids is proud to welcome Luis Gonzalez as our new Director of Development, a milestone addition to our leadership team as we continue to expand our impact and invest in the future of the students we serve.
Luis brings over three decades of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience, with a proven track record of building meaningful relationships and advancing mission-driven organizations. Over the course of his career, he has helped raise approximately $30 million in support of education, arts, culture, and community-based initiatives—experience that will be invaluable as Cars for Kids enters an exciting new chapter.
Born in El Paso, Texas, Luis relocated to North Texas to pursue his academic journey, earning a BBA in Marketing from the University of North Texas, followed by both an MBA and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from SMU. His education, combined with his strategic mindset, has shaped a career centered on sustainable growth and donor engagement.
Most recently, Luis served as Director of Philanthropy at Commemorate Air Force. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at respected institutions including the Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas Winds, and Dallas Children’s Theater. His earlier work also includes development and advancement roles with the Center for Nonprofit Management, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, The Dallas Opera, and the City of Dallas, where he worked within the Office of Arts and Culture and the City Attorney’s Office.
At Cars for Kids, Luis will play a critical role in advancing our development strategy, strengthening donor relationships, and supporting the long-term sustainability of our programs that directly benefit students at Texans Can Academies. His leadership will help ensure that the resources needed to remove barriers for students—whether academic, emotional, or financial—continue to grow.
We are thrilled to have Luis join the Cars for Kids family and look forward to the leadership, passion, and vision he brings to our mission. Please join us in welcoming him to the team as we work together to create brighter futures for students across Texas and beyond.
Contact information:
972-274-5437 | lgonzalez@carsforkids.org
Tax season doesn’t usually make people think about hope, opportunity, or second chances—but it can.
At America Can! Cars for Kids, tax time is one of the most powerful moments of the year to support students at Texans Can Academies. Whether you’re looking at the tax benefits of donating a vehicle or deciding what to do with your refund, you have a real chance to turn numbers on a form into lives changed in the classroom.
Here’s how.
When you donate a vehicle to America Can! Cars for Kids, you may be eligible for a federal income tax deduction. That means you can support a meaningful cause and potentially reduce your taxable income at the same time.
Here are the basics, in plain language:
America Can! Cars for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In most cases, that means your vehicle donation is considered a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes.
In many cases, the IRS allows you to deduct the gross proceeds from the sale of your donated vehicle (subject to IRS rules and your individual tax situation). We provide the required forms and acknowledgments after the sale so you have what you need at tax time.
Once your donated vehicle is sold:
We strongly recommend that donors consult with a qualified tax advisor to understand how a vehicle donation applies to their specific situation.
When you donate a vehicle to Cars for Kids, you’re doing more than taking advantage of a tax benefit. You’re helping students at Texans Can Academies:
Tax season comes and goes. A diploma lasts a lifetime.
To donate a vehicle:
Call
Use Your Tax Refund to Join the Auction and Give Back
Vehicle donations aren’t the only way to support the mission. Many supporters choose to use part of their tax refund to participate in our weekly vehicle auctions.
That means your refund can:
Instead of letting your refund disappear on forgettable purchases, you can turn it into something practical for you and powerful for a student.
Auction details and dates:
Visit www.carsforkids.org/social for the latest schedule and information.
Here’s how you can use tax time to make a difference:
Every donation and every bid at the auction helps provide real resources to real students who are working hard for a second chance at success.
The information above is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as legal or tax advice. Tax laws change, and everyone’s situation is different.
Before claiming any deduction or making tax-related decisions, please consult with a qualified tax professional.
If you’re ready to turn tax season into something more meaningful, we’re here to help.
To donate a vehicle or learn more about our auctions:
Call
866-835-5437or visit www.carsforkids.org/social
Write off the car, not the kid—and let tax time be the start of someone’s new chapter.
Some partnerships are transactional. Others are transformational.
For America Can! Cars for Kids, our ongoing partnership with Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) has been nothing short of transformational—for our organization, for Texans Can Academies, and most importantly, for the students whose lives are changed through education.
This year, we are proud to announce that Trans-Siberian Orchestra has once again stepped up in a big way, generously donating $9,917 from their ticket sales in the DFW area to support our mission.
This is not a one-time gesture; it is part of a longstanding relationship that has grown over the years into a meaningful collaboration centered around giving back and creating opportunity.
Every holiday season, Trans-Siberian Orchestra fills arenas with powerful performances that blend rock, classical, and storytelling into an unforgettable experience. But behind the lights, sound, and production is a deep commitment to community.
Through their special charitable ticket program, TSO has been directing a portion of ticket sales to nonprofits across the country—organizations they believe are making a real difference. We are honored that Cars for Kids is one of those chosen beneficiaries.
Their support helps us continue to fund education for students at Texans Can Academies, a public charter school system that serves high school students who are considered at risk of not graduating. Many of these students have faced significant adversity, yet they are working to change their stories—and TSO is helping make that possible.
Over the years, this partnership has done more than generate financial support. It has:
Each dollar from this year’s $9,917 donation helps provide students with access to:
What might feel like a small add-on at checkout for a concertgoer becomes something much more significant—a stepping stone for a student on the path to a diploma.
We also want to recognize and thank iHeartMedia, whose partnership has been integral in making this collaboration a success.
Through their reach, talent, and promotional support, iHeartMedia has helped connect TSO’s generosity with the mission of Cars for Kids—ensuring that the community understands both the impact and the opportunity to give back.
Their role in amplifying this effort has helped us reach more donors, more supporters, and more families who may not have otherwise heard about what we do.
What makes this partnership so special is that it is grounded in shared values:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings people together through music. Cars for Kids brings people together through giving. iHeartMedia connects those stories to the community.
Together, we are able to create opportunities that extend far beyond a single performance date or a single school year.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and iHeartMedia, and we look forward to many more years of partnership, impact, and shared success.
To TSO and iHeartMedia: thank you for believing in our mission, in our students, and in the power of giving.
To our supporters: when you support partners like these, you help make collaborations like this possible.
If you would like to learn more about how Cars for Kids supports students at Texans Can Academies, or how you can get involved, visit www.carsforkids.org/social or call
866-835-5437.Together, we are not just changing lives.
We are helping students build futures—one note, one story, and one act of generosity at a time.
At Texans Can Academies, many of our students are not only working toward a high school diploma—they are also raising children of their own. Balancing classes, work, family responsibilities, and the everyday challenges of life is difficult for any adult, and it is especially demanding for young parents who are still in school.
This holiday season, Texans Can Academies and America Can! Cars for Kids came together to make things a little brighter. Led by our Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Hollins, a special initiative was launched to ensure that student parents across the Texans Can Academies network received holiday gifts for their young children.
The result: hundreds of students who are parents were able to take home Christmas gifts for their little ones, helping bring joy, dignity, and a sense of normalcy during a time of year that can be especially stressful for families with limited resources.
For many of these young parents, the pressure of the holidays can feel heavy. They want to create special memories for their children, but financial constraints and day-to-day survival often come first.
This effort, coordinated by Amanda Hollins and supported by the broader Texans Can and Cars for Kids community, was designed with a simple goal:
Let our student parents know that they are seen, supported, and not alone.
By providing age-appropriate gifts for their children, the program allowed students to experience the joy of giving to their own kids—without having to choose between paying a bill and putting a present under the tree.
This was not a small, one-campus project. The initiative reached students across multiple Texans Can Academies campuses, reflecting our commitment to serving the whole student body, including those often carrying adult responsibilities at a young age.
From organizing lists and gathering needs, to coordinating distribution and ensuring every eligible student was included, this project required planning, teamwork, and a deep understanding of the realities our students face.
Amanda Hollins’ leadership helped bring together staff, partners, and community support to make sure this effort was carried out thoughtfully and respectfully.
Efforts like these are made possible, in large part, thanks to the continued support of America Can! Cars for Kids donors and partners.
When someone donates a vehicle to Cars for Kids, the proceeds go directly to support students at Texans Can Academies—funding not only academics, but also wraparound support that acknowledges students as whole people, many with families depending on them.
That support can look like:
In other words, what may begin as an unused car in a driveway becomes real relief and real hope for a student trying to build a better future for themselves and their children.
While the focus of this initiative was holiday gifts, the impact goes deeper than what was in the bags and boxes.
For student parents, receiving this kind of support sends a powerful message:
That kind of affirmation can be the difference between a student feeling overwhelmed and a student feeling encouraged to keep going.
If you believe in second chances, in education, and in supporting young parents who are working hard to change their trajectory, there are meaningful ways to get involved:
Your support helps ensure that next year—and every year—we can continue to stand beside students not just as learners, but as parents, providers, and future leaders.
To learn more or to support our work, visit www.carsforkids.org/social or call
866-835-5437.Together, we are not only helping students earn a diploma.
We are helping families build brighter futures, one season—and one act of generosity—at a time.
Following the overwhelming success of our inaugural event, we’re excited to announce the 2nd Annual Cars for Kids Charity Car Show, taking place on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
Last year, we welcomed more than 500 attendees, showcased over 70 incredible vehicles, and awarded 8 vehicle class winners, including our Grand Champion. Most importantly, we raised over $100,000 to support the education of students at Texans Can Academies—a public charter high school system focused on giving second chances to at-risk youth across Texas
We invite you to join us as a sponsor for this exciting 2026 event. Your sponsorship directly benefits our mission to ensure that every student at Texans Can Academies has the resources and support they need to graduate and succeed.
In return, your company will receive exceptional exposure, high-visibility branding, and the chance to connect with a passionate community of car enthusiasts and education advocates.
➡ Click here to become a sponsor
Cars for Kids is a nonprofit car donation program that funds education for over 3,200 students currently enrolled in Texans Can Academies across Texas. We accept donated vehicles from across the country—running or not—and transform those donations into real, life-changing support for students in need.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
7100 Marvin D. Love Fwy. Dallas, TX 75237
Free to attend
➡ Click here to register your vehicle
Whether you're showcasing your vehicle, sponsoring the event, or just joining us for a great cause, this is your chance to be part of something truly meaningful.
As we approach the holiday season, we want to ensure our valued supporters, bidders, and donors are informed about our upcoming holiday schedule, auction updates, and consignment deadlines. Please review the following important dates and information to plan accordingly:
Early Closure:
Full Holiday Closure:
New Year Closure:
For all bidders participating in the December 20, 2025 auction, please note the following payment deadline:
We will not be accepting any new vehicle consignments after December 16, 2025.
Consignment intake will resume on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
We are grateful for your ongoing support throughout 2025. Because of your vehicle donations, auction participation, and generosity, students at Texans Can Academies are receiving the education and second chances they deserve.
If you’re planning to donate before year’s end, now is a great time—your gift is 100% tax deductible, and it truly helps change lives.
To donate or learn more, visit www.carsforkids.org/social or call 866-835-5437.
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El horario de pagos de la subasta del 20/12/2025:
Todos los vehículos deben ser pagados antes de las 10:00 AM del lunes 22 de diciembre de 2025. Cualquier vehículo no pagado será considerado como cancelado y se perderá el depósito. No hay excepciones.
The holiday season is here—and with it comes a powerful opportunity to give back in a way that truly matters.
Giving Tuesday—happening this year on Tuesday, December 2nd—is a global day of generosity that encourages people everywhere to support causes that change lives. For us at Cars for Kids, it's a day to rally support for the students at Texans Can Academies—students who are working hard to graduate, overcome life’s challenges, and rewrite their futures.
You’ve seen the faces. You’ve heard the stories. Now is your chance to be part of their success.
Texans Can Academies is a tuition-free public school system serving students who have been labeled at-risk—many of whom have dropped out or aged out of traditional schools. These students often face immense barriers: unstable housing, family responsibilities, trauma, and a lack of access to basic resources.
But when they arrive at Texans Can, they’re met with understanding, structure, and a clear path to graduation. With individualized learning, job certification programs, mental health support, and compassionate educators, these students are finally given what many of us had all along—a real chance.
Your donation helps make that possible.
Because it’s not just a car—it’s a way to directly support a young person in need. When you donate your vehicle to Cars for Kids, the proceeds go directly to fund student support services at Texans Can Academies.
Every single donation is 100% tax-deductible. That means you can give back this holiday season and still benefit at tax time. It’s a win-win—for you and for the students.
We take cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats—anything with wheels, running or not. And we offer free pickup. All you have to do is call or click.
Call: 866-835-5437
Donate: www.carsforkids.org/social
As you shop for gifts and prepare for the holidays, we invite you to remember the students still working to find stability and purpose. Your support can help cover:
In a season defined by generosity, Giving Tuesday is your chance to give hope, not just gifts. And for students who have faced more than their share of setbacks, that hope is priceless.
“This isn’t just a donation—it’s a turning point in someone’s life.”
Your old vehicle might not mean much to you anymore, but it could mean everything to a student at Texans Can Academies.
This Giving Tuesday, write off the car—not the kid.
Donate now.
Call 866-835-5437 or visit www.carsforkids.org/social
#GivingTuesday #CarsForKids #TexansCanAcademies #SeasonOfGiving #DriveChange #DonateYourCar #SupportEducation #CharityThatDrivesImpact
At Texans Can Academies, students arrive with experiences as unique as they are. Many have been counted out by traditional systems. Some have faced housing instability, family struggles, or emotional trauma. But what unites them all is this: they didn’t give up.
Through the support of dedicated teachers and counselors—and thanks to the funding made possible by Cars for Kids—these students are finding their footing, regaining confidence, and moving toward a future filled with possibility.
Episode 2 takes us even deeper into the student-teacher connection that defines the Texans Can experience. Teachers don’t just show up to deliver lessons. They listen. They support. They believe. And their belief often becomes the spark that students need to keep going.
We meet students who have discovered career paths they didn’t know existed. Others are learning how to balance school with work and family responsibilities. All of them are doing the hard work to turn their story around—and it shows.
When you donate a vehicle to Cars for Kids, it doesn’t just go to auction. It goes to work—funding tutoring, transportation, meals, technology, job training, and more.
Your donation helps make stories like these possible.
As one student shared in the episode:
“I never thought I’d be back in school. But here I am. And I’m not leaving without that diploma.”
We believe every student deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated. And every viewer, donor, and advocate plays a part in making that happen.
Want to help write the next chapter in a student’s life?
Call 866-835-5437
Visit www.carsforkids.org
Your old car can help build a new future.
Spectrum 1 News - Austin Texas
WFAA - Colin Weatherwax & D'Karington
Donate on North Texas Giving Day
Trans-Siberian Orchestra & iHeart Radio
Spectrum News 1 Texas
Gavin Dawson and daughter Abby
Miles in The Morning's Mom
Emotional stories
Benefits from donation
How the program works
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