How the car donation process works
You schedule a free pickup anywhere in the DFW Metroplex
Start by donating through Wheels for Wellness and choosing a pickup time that works for you. Free towing is available across Dallas and the DFW Metroplex, including neighborhoods and suburbs such as Deep Ellum, Oak Cliff, Lakewood, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Mesquite, Irving, Arlington, Carrollton, and Frisco. You do not need to get the car running, wash it, renew registration, or pass inspection before pickup. Just provide basic vehicle details, the pickup location, and title information when available. The goal is to make donating easier than selling, trading, or arranging disposal yourself.
Your vehicle is assessed after pickup
After pickup, the donated vehicle is evaluated for condition, mileage, drivability, visible damage, market demand, and likely resale value. This assessment helps determine the best way to convert the car into support for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446. Donors often ask whether the vehicle is repaired first. In most cases, the car is not heavily repaired; it is routed efficiently to the sale option that makes the most sense. A minor preparation step may occur if it helps the vehicle sell, but the purpose is always to generate proceeds for the charity’s mission.
Running, resalable vehicles typically go to auction
If your donated car runs and appears to be in resalable condition, it typically goes to a public or dealer auction. That could apply to a commuter sedan from Uptown, a pickup from Grand Prairie, or a family SUV from North Dallas. At auction, buyers compete based on the vehicle’s condition and market value. The gross sale price is important because, when a vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price for your tax records. The auction route is designed to create transparent revenue from your donation.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles are sold for salvage or parts
Not every donated vehicle is ready for the road, and that is completely okay. If your car has mechanical problems, accident damage, missing parts, very high mileage, or has been sitting in a Dallas driveway for years, it may be sold through licensed salvage or parts buyers. These buyers may dismantle the vehicle, recycle usable components, or process scrap materials. This does not make your donation less valuable. Instead of paying for removal or letting the car sit unused, you turn it into proceeds that support Heritage for the Blind’s work with blind and visually impaired people.
Proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind services
Whether the vehicle sells at auction or through a licensed salvage or parts buyer, the sale proceeds are revenue for Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446. The organization uses donated vehicle proceeds to help fund services for Americans who are blind or visually impaired. Donors sometimes ask if the car is given directly to a family in need. In this program, donated vehicles are generally sold so the proceeds can support Heritage’s broader mission. If you or someone you know wants to check benefit eligibility, Heritage also offers resources at nhftb.org/finder for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, and Section 8.
You receive the tax paperwork after the vehicle sells
After the vehicle is sold, you receive documentation for your records. For vehicles that sell for over $500, Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price, which is generally the amount used for your charitable vehicle deduction. For vehicles that sell for $500 or less, different IRS rules may apply. Wheels for Wellness cannot provide tax advice, so you should consult a qualified tax professional about your specific return. The important point is that your Dallas donation is processed through a real 501(c)(3), Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available across Dallas and the DFW Metroplex, including suburbs like Plano, Irving, Garland, and Arlington.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically move to public or dealer auction after pickup and assessment.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage cars typically sell through licensed salvage or parts buyers when auction is not practical.
Sale proceeds are revenue for Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, tax-exempt organization.
If your vehicle sells for over $500, Heritage provides IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
You do not need to repair, wash, or pass inspection before scheduling a Wheels for Wellness pickup.