How the car donation process works
Start with the 2-minute form or a quick call
Begin by completing the short online donation form for Wheels for Wellness or by calling Heritage for the Blind directly. You will share basic details such as your name, Dallas-area pickup address, vehicle year, make, model, condition, and whether you have the title. You do not need to know the vehicle value before starting. If you are also looking for help with benefits, Heritage can point you to nhftb.org/finder to check eligibility for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and other support resources.
A coordinator calls back to schedule your free pickup
After your form is received, a donation coordinator typically calls back within 1-2 business hours. The coordinator confirms your vehicle information, answers your questions, and helps schedule a free tow at a time that works for you. Pickup is available throughout Dallas and the DFW Metroplex, including neighborhoods and suburbs like Deep Ellum, North Dallas, Richardson, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Duncanville, Fort Worth, and McKinney. You will never be charged for towing, dispatch, paperwork handling, or processing through Wheels for Wellness and Heritage for the Blind.
Prepare your title, keys, and pickup location
Before the tow truck arrives, gather the vehicle title, keys, and any lien release paperwork if the vehicle was previously financed. In Texas, the title is the most important document because you will sign it over at pickup. If you are unsure where to sign, wait for guidance so the paperwork is completed correctly. The vehicle should be accessible to the licensed tow operator, whether it is in a driveway, apartment lot, office parking area, or storage location. Remove personal belongings, toll tags, and any documents you want to keep.
A licensed tow truck picks up the vehicle
In most Dallas metro areas, pickup can be scheduled for the same day or the next business day, depending on availability, vehicle location, and tow access. A licensed tow truck arrives at your chosen location, checks the vehicle, collects the signed title, and provides pickup documentation when applicable. You do not have to drive the car anywhere, and running condition is not required. Cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and many other vehicles can often be accepted, even if they have high mileage, mechanical issues, or have been sitting for a while.
Your vehicle goes to auction or a parts reseller
After pickup, the vehicle is transported to the appropriate sales channel, usually an auction or parts reseller. The goal is to sell the vehicle in a way that supports the charitable mission while keeping the process simple for the donor. Sale proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446. Those proceeds help fund services and resources for people who are blind or visually impaired. You do not need to manage the sale, negotiate with buyers, meet strangers, pay for ads, or handle DMV-style back-and-forth.
Your tax receipt is mailed after the vehicle sells
Once the vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails your tax documentation. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, you will receive IRS Form 1098-C. If it sells for $500 or less, you will receive a written acknowledgment. The full donation process, from starting the form to receiving your mailed tax receipt, typically takes 2-6 weeks. Your exact tax deduction depends on IRS rules and your personal tax situation, so it is wise to keep your paperwork and speak with a tax professional if you have deduction questions.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available throughout Dallas and many DFW Metroplex neighborhoods and suburbs.
A coordinator usually calls within 1-2 business hours after your donation request is submitted.
Pickup is often available same-day or next business day in most metro areas.
You sign the Texas vehicle title over at pickup, not after the sale.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
There is no cost to you for towing, scheduling, processing, or receipt mailing.