How the car donation process works
You Start With a Simple San Diego Donation Request
When you choose Wheel Forward, you provide basic information about the vehicle, including its location, condition, title status and whether it runs. You do not need to know the market value or decide what should happen to the car. Donors across San Diego Metro can request free pickup from driveways, apartment lots, repair shops or storage locations, as long as the tow company can safely access the vehicle. The goal is to make the first step easy, respectful and low-pressure.
Free Towing Is Scheduled Around Your Location
After your donation is accepted, a licensed towing partner coordinates a pickup time that works for you. Free towing is available throughout the San Diego area, including communities such as Mission Valley, Clairemont, National City, Santee, Poway and Carlsbad. At pickup, you hand over the keys and required title documents, then receive a towing receipt for your records. The vehicle is not usually sold or valued at your curb; the detailed assessment happens after it is safely removed.
The Vehicle Is Assessed After Pickup
Once the car is picked up, it is evaluated for the best practical sale path. The assessment looks at factors such as running condition, mileage, age, body condition, mechanical issues, parts value and local market demand. If a minor repair could reasonably improve resale, that may be considered, but donated vehicles are generally not restored for personal use. Most are converted into cash proceeds as efficiently as possible so Heritage for the Blind can use the revenue to support its mission.
Running Cars Usually Go to Public or Dealer Auction
If your donated vehicle runs and is in resalable condition, it will typically be offered through a public or dealer auction channel. This gives buyers a competitive opportunity to purchase it and helps create the gross sale price used for your tax reporting. The car may be bought by a dealer, individual buyer or other qualified purchaser. It is usually not directly given to a family in need; instead, the sale proceeds become mission revenue for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446.
Non-Running Vehicles Usually Go to Salvage or Parts Buyers
If your vehicle does not run, has very high mileage, major mechanical problems, severe damage or limited resale demand, it will typically be sold to a licensed salvage, recycler or parts buyer. That can still create meaningful proceeds. Older cars, broken-down vans, damaged trucks and vehicles that have sat for months in a San Diego driveway may still be accepted. The point is to responsibly turn the vehicle’s remaining value into funding for services that benefit blind and visually impaired people.
Proceeds Support Heritage for the Blind Services
After the vehicle is sold, the proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind as nonprofit revenue. Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 58-2164446, serving people who are blind or visually impaired. Your donated car becomes funding that helps the organization continue its work, rather than sitting unused, costing you registration, insurance or repair money. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, you receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price for your tax deduction.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available throughout San Diego Metro, including Chula Vista, La Mesa, El Cajon and Oceanside.
Vehicles are evaluated after pickup, not at your curb, so you do not have to judge the car’s value.
Running, resalable vehicles usually move to public or dealer auction to create the strongest mission proceeds.
Non-running, older or high-mileage vehicles typically sell through licensed salvage, recycler or parts-buyer channels when resale is impractical.
For sales over $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, and vehicle sale proceeds are program revenue.