How the car donation process works
You start your donation and choose free Chicagoland pickup
Tell Gear Up Giving about your car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, or other accepted vehicle, and we help arrange free towing at a convenient time. Pickup is available across Chicago neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park, Rogers Park, Pilsen, Hyde Park, Bronzeville, and Logan Square, as well as suburbs including Evanston, Oak Park, Cicero, Schaumburg, Naperville, and throughout Chicagoland. You do not need to drive the vehicle to a lot. If it starts, great. If it has been sitting, has a dead battery, or needs repairs, it may still be accepted.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
After the tow, the vehicle is reviewed to determine the best sale path. The assessment looks at whether it runs, overall condition, mileage, age, visible damage, local market demand, title paperwork, and whether repair would make financial sense. This is not a complicated inspection for you, and you do not need to decide whether it should be auctioned or salvaged. The goal is to choose the route most likely to produce charitable revenue for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, while keeping the donation process easy for Chicago-area donors.
Running, resalable vehicles typically go to auction
If your donated vehicle is running and in resalable condition, it will typically be sent to a public or dealer auction. Auction buyers may include dealers, wholesalers, exporters, or individual buyers, depending on the auction and local market. The vehicle is not usually kept by the charity or assigned directly to a family. Instead, the sale generates revenue. Those gross sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may be sold for salvage or parts
If your vehicle is not running, has major damage, carries very high mileage, or would cost too much to repair for resale, it typically goes to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That does not mean your donation has no value. Salvage buyers may purchase vehicles for usable components, scrap value, or parts recovery. This route helps turn vehicles that might otherwise sit in an alley, garage, or driveway into cash proceeds for Heritage for the Blind. Even a car that cannot safely drive on the Kennedy, Dan Ryan, or I-290 may still support the mission.
Proceeds support blind and visually impaired people
Once the vehicle sells, the proceeds become charitable revenue for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446. Heritage uses donated-vehicle revenue to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Heritage also helps connect people with benefit resources; donors or community members who want to check eligibility for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related support can visit nhftb.org/finder. Your donated vehicle becomes funding that helps Heritage continue serving blind and visually impaired Americans.
You receive tax documentation after the sale
After your vehicle is sold, you receive documentation for your records. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, your charitable deduction is generally equal to the gross sale price, and Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C. This form reports the sale information you need when preparing your taxes. Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, so eligible donations may be tax deductible. Tax rules can vary by situation, so keep your paperwork and speak with a qualified tax professional if you have questions.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available for vehicle donations throughout Chicago and the wider Chicagoland region.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction after pickup.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles typically go to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles selling over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Most donated vehicles are sold to fund services, not repaired and given directly to families.