Though national services that operate large public campaigns, encouraging people to donate to charity.

The problem is, unless your charity is truly local, you don't know what's going to happen to your car or the charity of your choice.

It is your right and duty to check and see where the car is going and to what use.
If the organization you organize the pick up and/or sale with is a third-party agent (almost always operated for profit), you may need to keep looking for a charitable organization in your local community that is not focused on selling your vehicle as soon as it's donated to charity.

Though this may require a bit of calling around, there is very likely a local organization that can arrange the gift of a running car to someone who needs it.
Counties without large cities often conduct their own pickup and donation service.
Your state Attorney General's Office should have a list of charitable organizations registered in the state as well as a list of organizations that are authorized to conduct the necessary filings when your car is donated to charity

Don't forget that the local high school and police departments may also benefit when you decide your car is ready to be donated to charity Call around or look online for IRS registered non-profit organizations (NPOs) if you're not sure who is taking cars in your area.