Homelessness is a pressing issue in Austin, affecting thousands of individuals and families. Many seek refuge in emergency shelters, while others require transitional housing to regain stability. Ride Forward focuses on a housing-first approach, helping those in need navigate to appropriate services through our outreach efforts. Your vehicle donation directly funds these crucial programs, ensuring that we can provide immediate shelter and a pathway to permanent housing for our local community.
This page outlines the impact your donation can have on the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Austin. From emergency shelter services to rapid rehousing initiatives, we work tirelessly to create a continuum-of-care network, addressing both immediate and long-term needs. Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors.
The local need in Austin
Austin faces a significant homelessness crisis, with tens of thousands of residents struggling to secure stable housing. Neighborhoods such as East Austin and Downtown are particularly impacted, with high rates of individuals experiencing homelessness. Many of these residents are families with children, highlighting the urgent need for both emergency and transitional housing options. Unfortunately, existing local shelters often reach capacity, and the gap in available resources exacerbates the crisis. This is why your support is critical.
How your donation helps
Funding Emergency Shelters
Your donation helps provide vital resources for local emergency shelters, ensuring they can offer safe spaces for individuals and families in crisis. This immediate support is crucial for those needing a safe place to stay.
Rapid Rehousing Initiatives
Funds raised through your vehicle donations directly contribute to rapid rehousing programs, which assist families in finding permanent housing solutions efficiently. This approach reduces the time individuals spend without stable shelter.
Outreach Navigation Services
Your contributions support outreach staff who connect homeless individuals with essential services, including healthcare, job training, and addiction recovery programs, facilitating a smoother path to stability.
Support for Local Shelters
Funds help local shelters maintain operational costs, ensuring they can provide food, clothing, and support services to those in need, fostering a welcoming environment for recovery and growth.
Local partner organizations
The Salvation Army Austin
Ride Forward collaborates with The Salvation Army to enhance their outreach and improve connections to vital resources for homeless families.
Foundation Communities
Our partnership helps fund transitional housing efforts, ensuring families can quickly move into stable environments while receiving necessary support.
Austin Area Urban League
By supporting their workforce development programs, Ride Forward helps equip homeless individuals with skills to secure employment and achieve financial stability.
How to donate
Visit Our Website
Start by navigating to the Ride Forward donation page. Familiarize yourself with our mission and the impact of your contribution.
Choose Your Vehicle
Select the vehicle you wish to donate. It can be a car, truck, or even an RV. Every donation helps support our cause.
Fill Out the Donation Form
Complete our online donation form with your vehicle information and contact details. This helps us arrange the pickup efficiently.
Schedule a Pickup
After submitting your form, our team will contact you to schedule a pickup time that works for you. We handle all the logistics.
Receive Your Tax Deduction
Upon successful donation, you will receive an IRS 1098-C form, ensuring you get the tax deduction for your generous contribution.
Trust & accountability
- Receive an IRS 1098-C for your vehicle donation.
- Ride Forward is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
- We provide local pickup for all vehicle donations at no cost.
- Funds raised go directly to named beneficiaries within our community.