Donating Time Shares to Charity

I am still paying on my time share with the Cliffs Resort. Can I still donate it to charity?

–Helen, Irving, Texas

Basically, Helen, it depends on what exactly you're paying for. If you're just paying maintenance fees, you should be able to donate your time share. But if you're still paying a mortgage or something like that, it will likely not be possible.

According to DonateforaCause.org, one of the main charitable organizations that accept time shares: "Properties that have mortgages, liens, loans, or outstanding maintenance fees that the owner is unwilling to pay off are not acceptable for donation."

TimeShareDonations.org has a similar policy, stating: "We accept properties that are owned free and clear and where the maintenance fees are not past due. We accept both deeded and right-to-use time shares as well as accumulated points."

For more information on what you need to do to donate a time share, a good Web site to visit is TimeshareTrap.com.