How the car donation process works
Start with the 2-minute donation form or a call
To begin, fill out SacraCar Share’s quick online donation form or call Heritage for the Blind directly. You will be asked for basic contact information, the vehicle’s location in the Sacramento Metro area, and details such as year, make, model, mileage if known, and whether the vehicle runs. You do not need to have every detail perfect to start. A car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, RV, or other accepted vehicle may qualify. There is no obligation just for asking questions, and there is never a pickup fee charged to you.
A coordinator confirms details and schedules free pickup
After your form is submitted, a donation coordinator typically calls back within 1-2 business hours. The coordinator confirms the vehicle information, answers your questions, and helps choose a pickup time that works for you. Sacramento-area donors often schedule from homes, apartments, workplaces, storage lots, repair shops, or family driveways. You can ask what to remove from the car, what title paperwork is needed, and how the handoff will work. The goal is to make sure you feel confident before the tow truck is dispatched.
A licensed tow truck picks up the vehicle at no cost
In most metro areas, including much of Sacramento Metro, a licensed tow truck can arrive the same day or the next business day after scheduling. Availability depends on location, weather, vehicle access, and dispatcher timing, but the pickup is free either way. The driver will come to the address you provided, whether that is in Sacramento, West Sacramento, Arden-Arcade, Folsom, Fair Oaks, or a nearby suburb. At pickup, you sign the title over as instructed. Remove personal belongings, plates if applicable, and any documents you need to keep.
The vehicle is transported for auction or resale evaluation
Once the vehicle is picked up, it is transported to a facility where it can be evaluated for sale. Depending on condition, demand, age, and market value, the vehicle may go to auction or to a parts reseller. You do not need to manage repairs, smog checks, cleaning, advertising, buyer calls, or DMV back-and-forth with private shoppers. SacraCar Share and Heritage for the Blind’s vehicle donation process are designed to turn an unwanted vehicle into charitable support while removing the usual hassle from the donor.
Sale proceeds support Heritage for the Blind’s mission
After the vehicle sells, the proceeds are directed to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446. Heritage for the Blind helps fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. The organization also connects people with public benefit resources, and donors or community members who want to check eligibility for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and other support can visit nhftb.org/finder. Your donated vehicle becomes part of a mission-focused funding stream, not just a disposal solution.
Your tax receipt is mailed after the vehicle sells
After the vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails your tax documentation. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, you will receive IRS Form 1098-C. If it sells for $500 or under, you will receive a written acknowledgment. The full timeline from donation start to mailed tax receipt is typically 2-6 weeks, depending on pickup timing, sale processing, and mail delivery. Keep your receipt with your tax records and consult your tax adviser about claiming any deduction, especially if you itemize on your federal return.
Key facts about car donation
The donation form takes about two minutes, and a coordinator usually calls within 1-2 business hours.
Free towing is available across Sacramento Metro, including many neighborhoods, suburbs, workplaces, and storage locations.
You sign the vehicle title over at pickup, so have the title ready when possible.
There is no cost to the donor for scheduling, towing, sale processing, or receipt mailing.
Tax documentation is mailed after sale: Form 1098-C over $500, written acknowledgment at $500 or under.
The complete donation-to-receipt process typically takes 2-6 weeks from start to mailed documentation.