How the car donation process works
Start with the 2-minute form or call Heritage for the Blind
Start whenever it is convenient: complete the secure Wheels of Change donation form in about two minutes, or call Heritage for the Blind directly. You will share basic details such as your vehicle’s year, make, model, mileage, condition, VIN if available, and where it is parked in Metro Atlanta. Cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, RVs, and some non-running vehicles may be accepted. There is no obligation and no pickup fee. Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) charity, EIN 58-2164446.
A donation coordinator calls to schedule your free pickup
After your form is submitted, a donation coordinator typically calls back within 1 to 2 business hours. This call is short and practical: the coordinator confirms your vehicle information, pickup address, title status, and preferred time window. If your car is at home, work, an apartment lot, a repair shop, or a relative’s driveway in the Atlanta area, the team will help coordinate access. You can ask questions before committing, including what to do with tags, keys, and title paperwork.
A licensed tow truck arrives and you sign the title at pickup
In most Metro Atlanta areas, free towing can be scheduled for the same day or the next business day, depending on availability and vehicle location. A licensed tow truck driver comes to the address you approved, whether that is in Atlanta, Decatur, Smyrna, Roswell, Lawrenceville, or nearby suburbs. Please have the vehicle title, keys, and your photo ID ready. At pickup, you sign the title over as instructed. The tow is free, and you do not pay storage, mileage, or handling fees.
Your vehicle is taken to auction or a parts reseller
Once the vehicle is picked up, it is transported through the donation processing network to the place where it can be sold appropriately. Depending on the condition, age, mileage, and market demand, the vehicle may go to auction or to a parts reseller. You do not need to repair, wash, or advertise the vehicle yourself. Wheels of Change and Heritage for the Blind manage the post-pickup process so the donated asset can be converted into proceeds for the charity.
Sale proceeds support services for people with vision loss
After the vehicle is sold, the proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, to help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Donors often appreciate that a car they no longer need can support a real charitable mission without the hassle of private selling. Heritage also connects people with information about benefit eligibility, including SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related support. If you or someone you know wants to check eligibility, visit nhftb.org/finder.
Your tax receipt is mailed after the vehicle sells
Your tax documentation is mailed after the vehicle sells. 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 process, from donation start to mailed tax receipt, typically takes about 2 to 6 weeks, depending on pickup timing, sale processing, and mail delivery. Keep your receipt with your tax records and consult a tax professional about how the deduction may apply to your return.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available for eligible donations throughout Metro Atlanta, including many neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs.
A coordinator usually calls within 1 to 2 business hours after your donation form is submitted.
Same-day or next-business-day pickup is available in most metro areas, depending on tow schedule and location.
You sign the vehicle title over at pickup; have keys, title, and photo ID ready.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, EIN 58-2164446.
There is no cost to the donor at any step of the Wheels of Change process.