Rev Up Local is committed to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community by providing crucial resources to homeless shelters and transitional housing programs in St. Louis. Your generous donations enable these organizations to offer not just emergency overnight beds, but also transitional housing options, rapid rehousing assistance, and essential services like street outreach and day center facilities.
Every dollar counts, especially when it comes from your vehicle donation. The funds generated from selling your vehicle can significantly impact local shelter programs, allowing them to purchase essential supplies, maintain facilities, and ensure that families and individuals facing homelessness have a safe place to stay. With the pressing need for affordable housing and support in our community, your contribution will make a measurable difference in the lives of those we serve.
Programs your donation funds
- Overnight emergency shelter beds
- Transitional housing (30-90 day stays)
- Rapid-rehousing vouchers
- Street outreach teams
- Day-center services (showers/laundry/mail/phone)
- Family homeless shelters with childcare
↗Real impact, real numbers
Your donation can create a lasting impact. For instance, a vehicle sale generating $1,500 can fund approximately 40-60 shelter nights at local partner shelters, where the cost per bed-night ranges from $25 to $50. Alternatively, it can provide one month of rent subsidy for a family in transitional housing or supply street outreach teams with essential materials for six months. At every contribution level—whether it's $1,500, $2,500, or $5,000—your support translates directly into night’s stay, meals, and more for those in need.
How we vet recipient partners
To ensure your donations are effectively utilized, we carefully vet our partner organizations using stringent criteria. We prioritize those that meet HUD's Continuum-of-Care standards and maintain a low shelter-to-housing transition rate—ideally below 20%. Furthermore, we require our partners to provide verifiable Form 990 documentation, ensuring that at least 75% of their expenses directly support their programs. This rigorous process guarantees that your support reaches the most effective and accountable organizations, maximizing the impact of your donation.
How proceeds flow
When you donate your vehicle, the auction sale proceeds, after deducting towing and processing costs, result in approximately 70-80% of the gross amount going directly to our partner organizations. From there, funds are allocated based on their program-expense ratios. This ensures that your contribution directly supports services and initiatives that assist individuals experiencing homelessness, ultimately leading to a more stable community.
St. Louis recipient landscape
St. Louis faces significant challenges regarding homelessness, with many individuals and families requiring immediate shelter and transitional resources. The local landscape is shaped by the need for comprehensive services that provide not just a roof, but also support to move toward permanent housing. State-level funding is often insufficient, making community-driven initiatives crucial. By donating your vehicle, you are helping to bridge this gap and empower those working tirelessly to support our most vulnerable neighbors.