How the car donation process works
You start the donation and schedule free pickup
Your donation begins with a simple vehicle submission through Drive to Give. You provide basic information about the car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, or other vehicle, including whether it runs and where it is located. Free towing is available throughout the Charlotte Metro area, including Uptown, South End, Plaza Midwood, Ballantyne, University City, Pineville, Mooresville, and surrounding suburbs. A towing partner contacts you to arrange a convenient pickup time, and you do not need to pay for the tow.
The vehicle is picked up and documented
At pickup, the towing partner collects the vehicle and records the donation details. You should remove personal belongings, take off your license plate if required by North Carolina rules, and have the title ready when applicable. The goal is to make transfer and processing as smooth as possible. Drive to Give coordinates the logistics so your vehicle can move from your home, office, apartment complex, repair shop, or driveway to the next step in the donation process without creating extra hassle for you.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
After pickup, the vehicle is evaluated to determine the best resale path. This assessment may consider whether it starts, overall condition, mileage, market demand, visible damage, and whether repair or resale is practical. Donated vehicles are not automatically given to a family or placed directly into service. Instead, they are typically sold in the way expected to generate proceeds for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, so the charity can use that revenue to support its mission.
Running vehicles usually go to auction
If your donated vehicle runs and is in resalable condition, it will typically be sent to a public or dealer auction. Auction buyers may include dealers, wholesalers, exporters, mechanics, or individuals looking for used vehicles. This process helps determine the vehicle’s market value through competitive bidding. Once the vehicle sells, the gross sale price is reported for tax purposes when applicable, and the proceeds are directed to Heritage for the Blind to help fund services for blind and visually impaired people.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may be sold for parts
If the car does not run, has major mechanical issues, has very high mileage, or would cost too much to repair, it will typically be sold to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That does not mean the donation is wasted. Older vehicles, damaged cars, and cars stuck in Charlotte-area driveways can still produce proceeds through parts, scrap, or salvage value. Those proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind as charitable revenue supporting programs and services for people with vision loss.
You receive tax documentation after the sale
After the vehicle is sold, the donation is documented for your records. Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446, so eligible donors may claim a charitable tax deduction. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, the donor generally receives IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price, and the deduction is equal to that gross sale price. Always keep your paperwork and consult a tax advisor if you have questions about your specific filing situation.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available across Charlotte Metro and nearby North Carolina and South Carolina communities.
Vehicles are assessed after pickup to choose the resale path that best supports the charity.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles typically go to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles sold over $500, donors generally receive IRS Form 1098-C with the gross sale price.