Kidney Kars of Utah is NOT Kars4Kids

We posted the new artwork of our Salt Lake City Billboard featuring the head coaches of the University of Utah and BYU football teams on Instagram.  Then the comments came rolling in: @timm_ras asks:  Isn’t this the same company that got sued by multiple states and the FTC for fraud because they said they were “helping Kids” — but didn’t? NOPE Timm, not even close. But thanks for giving us the opportunity to note that the ads heard recently on KSL news radio are no longer the trusted “Kidney Kars of Utah” ads, but are for Kars4Kids of New Jersey.

Despite 35 years of trusting KSL Newsradio to deliver substantive, honest content on the air (even in its advertising), it looks as though times are tough, and they will take anyone’s money for ads—even if their advertisers are neither trustworthy nor legitimate charities. We’re just as mystified as the public is, particularly since, as you’ve mentioned, those ads are now banned in California (until Kars4Kids prevails in its lawsuit before the Superior Court), as well as in other states. Now would be an EXCELLENT time to mention that Kidney Kars of Utah was established 14 years before Kars4Kids and is one of the nation’s original and most trusted car donation programs. While the entire state of Utah has now become confused and unfortunately now associates Kars4Kids with Kidney Kars of Utah — YOU don’t have to fall for that trick.

Just remind yourself WHY you’re hearing so many Kars4Kids ad!  That’s because, unlike normal charities, they get to spend whatever portion of the $91 million they raise (“for Kids”) each year on litigation, television advertising, radio advertising, and Google ads in any state where they have not yet been restricted or challenged by state attorneys general. Unlike Kars4Kids, Kidney Kars of Utah chooses to spend only 10% of its revenue on promotion in order give MORE to our charitable mission helping to save the lives of Utah kidney patients. So while we will never be able to outspend Kars4Kids– Kidney Kars of Utah does in fact help many thousands of Utah kids & families who are on dialysis or who still need a kidney transplant.

The difference between Kars4Kids and Kidney Kars

The difference is simple. Kars4Kids is a New Jersey-based organization founded in 2004 and known for its nationally brain-worm jingle. Despite its name, Kars4Kids donations are not distributed to “kids” children across America. Instead, the organization directs its charitable funding to programs that primarily support one private religious school.

Kidney Kars of Utah was established in 1990—14 years earlier—and for more than 36 years Kidney Kars of Utah has kept the vast majority of the funds it raises right here in Utah and Idaho. Approximately 83% of every dollar raised directly supports local kidney patient children and their families through emergency financial assistance, stable housing, prescription medications, help paying medical debt, transportation assistance, specialized renal nutrition, dental treatment required to qualify for the transplant waiting list, and assistance with the significant out-of-pocket costs associated with kidney transplantation.

When Utahns donate a vehicle to Kidney Kars of Utah, they are helping their own neighbors—dialysis patients, transplant recipients, and families facing kidney disease throughout Utah and Idaho.

So while Kars4Kids TV on Fox News and KSL Newradio are confusing to Utahns, The National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho’s Kidney Kars program is still Utah’s most trusted and #1 car donation program

Before donating your vehicle to any charity do a quick Google or ChatGPT search to see what the difference is between Kars4Kids and Kidney Kars of Utah.

 Read where they are located and what state benefits from your donation. Ask Google

• WHERE does the charity operate?
• WHO benefits from your donation?
• WHY does donating locally matter?
• HOW does your donation make a difference?

Before you donate, know where your donation goes—and know who it helps. Donate local. Help local. Save lives.

Donate to Utah’s Original Kidney Kars

For more than 35 years, Kidney Kars has helped Utah and Idaho families facing kidney disease by turning donated vehicles into hope, financial assistance, education, and lifesaving support.

If your goal is to help local dialysis patients and transplant recipients, remember: Kidney Kars of Utah is not Kars4Kids.

We’re Utah’s original Kidney Kars program, proudly serving our community since 1990.