Everything our Stakeholders need to know about our services, processes, and how we work together.
Auto Angels is a 100% volunteer-driven nonprofit organization with a single, heartfelt mission: to provide reliable transportation to individuals and families facing financial need hardship. Every person who gives their time — from volunteer mechanics to coordinators — does so without pay, motivated entirely by a desire to help others move forward.
About Auto Angels
Auto Angels proudly partners with seven nonprofit agencies whose clients include individuals experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, and others facing extreme financial need. Rather than serving the general public, we have made a deliberate choice to focus our limited volunteer resources exclusively on clients referred through our agency partners — ensuring that the people who need us most receive our full attention.
Our Two Core Services
We offer two primary ways to help your clients get — and keep — reliable transportation:
- Donated Vehicle Program — qualifying clients may receive a donated, safety-checked vehicle at minimal cost.
- Vehicle Service Program — clients who already own a vehicle can typically receive service (diagnosis, maintenance, and repairs) for only the cost of parts.
Donated Vehicle Program
How the Program Works
Throughout the year, Auto Angels receives donated vehicles from generous community members. Our volunteer mechanics inspect and repair each car for safety and reliability before it is ever offered to a client. Once a vehicle is ready for transfer, our Benevolence Team springs into action.
The Benevolence Team maintains regular communication with all seven agency partners. When a vehicle becomes available, agencies are contacted and invited to put forward a client they believe is ready and able to meet our requirements. To ensure fairness, we use a rotating round-robin process — cycling through all seven agencies so that each one has an equal opportunity to present a client.
Client Eligibility Requirements
Before your agency refers a client for a vehicle, please confirm they can meet the following requirements:
- Steady income — the client must have a job or verifiable cash flow.
- Driver License – valid
- Ability to insure and maintain a vehicle — including keeping up with fluids and tire pressure.
- $800 in cash at time of transfer — this modest fee helps cover tax, title, license, and miscellaneous transfer costs. It is important to note that Auto Angels has typically invested several thousand dollars repairing each vehicle before it ever reaches a client.
The Client Interview & Selection Process
Once your agency identifies a potential client, please forward their name and contact information to our Benevolence Team at benevolence@autoangels.org. A Benevolence Team member will personally reach out to complete the application, interview the client, confirm their eligibility, and walk them through the next steps.
After the interview is complete and the client is confirmed, the Benevolence Team notifies our Auto Angels Donated Vehicle Coordinator using a Transfer Form that captures the client’s contact details. The Coordinator then takes over, contacts the client and guides them through the final steps.
The Transfer Process: Step by Step
Once a client is approved, here is what they can expect:
- The Coordinator will contact the client via text/email directly to explain all requirements, confirm the transfer date and time, and provide a clear deadline.
- Before the transfer date, the client must verify three things via text message with photos: a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and the $800 in cash.
- On the day of transfer, a volunteer from Auto Angels accompanies the client to the Department of Licensing to complete the title transfer and registration — paid from the $800 the client brings.
- Please plan for approximately three hours for the full process, though it is often shorter.
- After returning to the garage, the client and volunteer installs the license plates, hands over the keys, and sends the client off with their vehicle!
A Few Important Notes About Donated Vehicles
Agency and Benevolence team communication to client – Because our vehicles are donated and lovingly prepared by volunteers, the program works very differently from a traditional purchase. Help us to be upfront with clients about what to expect so there are no surprises:
- Vehicles are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Because each vehicle represents a significant investment of volunteer time and donated funds, we are not able to hold vehicles while multiple options are compared. We encourage trusting the matching process — every car that leaves our garage has been prepared with their safety in mind.
- Vehicle Condition and Transfer: Vehicles are provided as-is at the time of transfer. Donated cars are often 5 to 20+ years old with 100,000–200,000+ miles. We have done our best—through volunteer inspections, repairs, and preparation—to ensure the vehicle is safe and reliable for immediate use, but we cannot offer any guarantees or warranties regarding its future performance, condition, or longevity. Once transferred, the vehicle cannot be returned or swapped. Our goal is to provide dependable transportation that supports your clients’ independence, but real-world wear, maintenance needs, and unforeseen issues can still arise.
- Special Requirements: If the client has any special vehicle or personal requirements (mobility, space, size, or weight concerns), agencies should notify clients that Auto Angels might not be able to provide a vehicle meeting the requirements or there might be a delay in receiving a vehicle.
- Clients are responsible for ongoing vehicle care, including keeping fluids topped off and tires properly inflated. Clients in good standing with their agency remain eligible for maintenance and repair services through our shop.
Vehicle Service Program
How It Works
Clients who need vehicle service (diagnosis, maintenance, and repairs) can request help directly through the Auto Angels website. They fill out a simple form describing the problem and providing the name and contact information of their agency counselor.
That request is sent to our Auto Angels Scheduler, who will then reach out to the agency contact to verify that the client is currently in good standing. Once verified, the Scheduler coordinates a convenient date and time for the client to bring their vehicle in.
Service sessions are typically held on Saturdays. In some circumstances, overflow appointments may be available on Tuesdays. Clients can view upcoming clinic dates by visiting the Calendar link in the website menu.
Cost & Parts
Auto Angels does not charge for labor — our volunteer mechanics give their time freely. Clients are only responsible for the cost of parts, which Auto Angels sources at a discounted price from our trusted suppliers. The Scheduler may provide an estimated parts cost in advance so clients can come prepared with cash on the day of their appointment.
What to Expect at the Garage
- Clients are not permitted in the garage, but are welcome to wait in the church lobby — the Service Manager will show them the way.
- When the work is complete, the Service Manager will contact the client so they can come collect their car and pay for parts; provide a summary of the performed work as well as recommended work.
- Please remind clients that missing a scheduled appointment without notice means another person loses their opportunity to receive help.
Agency Responsibilities
As an agency partner, the counselors play a vital role in making this program work. Here is what we ask of counselors:
- Carefully evaluate clients before referral to ensure they meet eligibility requirements.
- Provide client contact information promptly to the Benevolence Team when vehicles are available.
- Verify client standing promptly when contacted by the Auto Angels Scheduler regarding service requests.
- Encourage clients to honor their scheduled appointments and responsibilities.
Contact Us & Resources
We are always happy to answer questions and work alongside you to serve your clients well. Here is how to reach us:
- General questions: info@autoangels.org
- Upcoming service dates: Our website “Calendar” has most of our service dates and is intended to inform for Auto Angels volunteers. The Auto Angels Scheduler will inform clients of their service date.
Thank you for partnering with Auto Angels.
Together, we are putting people back in the driver’s seat — literally and figuratively.
