How the car donation process works
Start with the 2-minute form or a quick call
Begin by completing the secure online donation form or calling Heritage for the Blind. You will share basic details about your vehicle, such as the year, make, model, location, condition, and whether you have the title. Donors in Washington DC and Virginia can start from home, work, a repair shop, or wherever the vehicle is parked. You are not committing to hidden fees or a complicated process. This first step simply gives the donation team what they need to confirm pickup details and help you move forward confidently.
A coordinator calls back to schedule free pickup
After you submit the form or call, a donation coordinator typically calls back within 1-2 business hours. They will confirm the vehicle location, answer your questions, and schedule a free tow at a time that works for you. In the DC Metro area, pickup may be available at homes, apartments, offices, parking garages, repair lots, or driveways, depending on access. The coordinator will also remind you what to have ready, including the title, keys if available, and any location instructions for the tow driver.
Your vehicle is picked up at no cost to you
A licensed tow truck is scheduled to come to your location, with same-day or next-business-day pickup available in most metro areas when scheduling and access allow. Whether the car is in Northwest DC, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, or another nearby suburb, towing is free. At pickup, you will sign the title over as instructed, remove your personal belongings, and hand over the keys if you have them. The driver provides pickup paperwork, and you can feel good knowing the vehicle is now on its way.
The vehicle goes to auction or a parts reseller
Once towed, your vehicle is transported to an auction or, when appropriate, a parts reseller. The goal is to help the donated vehicle generate value for the charity, whether it runs, needs repairs, or is no longer practical for you to keep. You do not need to negotiate with buyers, meet strangers, advertise the car, or pay for storage. Wheels for Impact and Heritage for the Blind handle the next steps so the vehicle can be sold through the proper channel.
Sale proceeds support Heritage for the Blind
After the vehicle sells, the proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446. Heritage for the Blind helps fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. The organization also connects eligible individuals with benefit resources, including SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related support programs. If you or someone you know wants to check possible benefit eligibility, you can visit nhftb.org/finder for more information.
Your tax receipt is mailed after the sale
Your tax documentation is prepared after the vehicle sells, so the full process typically takes about 2-6 weeks from donation start to mailed receipt. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails IRS Form 1098-C. For vehicles that sell for $500 or under, you receive a written acknowledgment. Keep this documentation with your tax records and consult your tax professional about your specific deduction. There is no cost to you for towing, processing, or receipt handling.
Key facts about car donation
Donation pickup is free throughout Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and many surrounding DC Metro communities.
A coordinator usually calls within 1-2 business hours after your form submission or phone call.
Same-day or next-business-day towing is available in most metro areas when scheduling and access allow.
You sign the title at pickup, and Heritage for the Blind handles the remaining donation process.
IRS Form 1098-C is mailed for vehicles selling over $500; written acknowledgment is mailed for $500 or under.
The entire donation-to-receipt timeline typically takes 2-6 weeks, depending on pickup and vehicle sale timing.