How the car donation process works
You schedule a free Nevada pickup
The process starts when you contact Heart Wheels with basic information about your vehicle, including the year, make, model, mileage, condition, and location. You do not need to know whether the vehicle will be auctioned, repaired, or salvaged before you call. Free towing is arranged at a convenient time, whether the car is parked at a home in Henderson, an apartment lot in Reno, a business in Las Vegas, or a driveway in Carson City. You receive pickup instructions, and the vehicle is moved to the next step for evaluation.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
After pickup, the donated vehicle is reviewed for practical resale potential. The assessment looks at whether it runs, its age, mileage, body condition, title status, market demand, and whether repair would make financial sense. This is not about judging your donation; older and non-running vehicles can still create value. The goal is to choose the sales channel that is most likely to produce proceeds for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, while keeping the process simple for the donor and compliant for tax reporting.
Running vehicles usually go to auction
If your donated vehicle is running and in resalable condition, it will typically be sent to a public or dealer auction. Auctions help expose the vehicle to buyers who may be looking for transportation, inventory, work vehicles, or project cars. A donated sedan from Sparks, pickup from Elko, SUV from Summerlin, or van from North Las Vegas may be sold this way if the condition supports it. The sale price is determined by the market, not by Heart Wheels or the donor, and the resulting proceeds are directed to Heritage for the Blind.
Non-running vehicles may be sold for salvage or parts
If a vehicle does not run, has very high mileage, has major mechanical issues, or would cost too much to repair, it will typically be sold to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That can include vehicles with transmission problems, engine failure, accident damage, or long-term storage issues. Even when a car is no longer reliable for Nevada roads, its parts, metal, or components may still have resale value. This lets your donation continue to help Heritage for the Blind instead of sitting unused or costing you more in repairs.
Sale proceeds fund Heritage for the Blind services
Once the vehicle is sold, the sale proceeds are revenue for Heritage for the Blind, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446. Those proceeds help support services and resources for people who are blind or visually impaired. Heritage also helps connect people with benefit resources, including SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related assistance; donors or families who want to check eligibility can visit nhftb.org/finder. Your donated car is not simply removed from your property. It is converted into mission funding.
You receive the right tax documentation
After the vehicle is sold, tax documentation is prepared based on the final sale price. If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, your tax deduction is generally equal to the gross sale price, and Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C for your records. This form helps document the donation for a federal tax deduction if you itemize. Tax situations vary, so donors should consult a qualified tax professional, but Heart Wheels makes the vehicle donation paperwork clear and straightforward.
Key facts about car donation
Heart Wheels arranges free towing for donated vehicles throughout Nevada, including major cities, suburbs, and many rural areas.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction after pickup and assessment.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles are typically sold to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Proceeds from the sale go to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
Vehicles selling for more than $500 generally qualify for a deduction equal to the gross sale price.
IRS Form 1098-C is provided when required for vehicles that sell for more than $500.