How the car donation process works
Start your donation with Drive Forward
Begin by sharing basic information about your car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, or other eligible vehicle. You do not need to know its exact market value, and many donated vehicles are accepted whether they run or not. Drive Forward helps make the process simple for Hartford Metro donors, from Asylum Hill and South End to Manchester, Glastonbury, Windsor, and Farmington. Once your donation is submitted, a pickup coordinator contacts you to arrange the next step. Your donation is made to support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
Schedule free local pickup
After your vehicle is accepted, free towing is scheduled at a time that works for you. Pickup is available throughout Hartford and surrounding communities, including West Hartford, East Hartford, Wethersfield, Newington, Bloomfield, Windsor, and Rocky Hill. In many cases, you can arrange pickup from a home, workplace, repair shop, apartment lot, or storage location, as long as the tow provider can safely access the vehicle. You avoid the hassle of selling, advertising, meeting buyers, or paying for removal, while turning an unwanted vehicle into support for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Your vehicle is sold to create proceeds
Once your vehicle is picked up, it is processed for sale through the appropriate vehicle disposition channel. The goal is to turn the donated car into proceeds that can support the charitable mission. You do not have to handle repairs, pricing, DMV conversations with private buyers, or negotiations. After sale, the gross vehicle sale price determines the tax documentation for donations over $500. For qualifying vehicles sold for more than $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price, which is used for the charitable deduction if you itemize.
100-percent of vehicle proceeds go to Heritage
Drive Forward helps donors give with confidence: 100-percent of vehicle proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446. Those proceeds help fund services for Americans who are blind or visually impaired, including support that helps individuals identify and connect with assistance programs. Heritage for the Blind works to help people navigate resources such as SSI, SSDI, LIHEAP, Section 8, Medicare Extra Help, and Medicaid. If you or someone you know wants to check potential eligibility for assistance programs, visit nhftb.org/finder.
Receive your tax receipt and know your impact
Because Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your vehicle donation may be tax-deductible if you itemize deductions on your federal tax return. For vehicles sold for more than $500, the deduction generally equals the gross vehicle sale price reported on IRS Form 1098-C. You should keep your donation records and consult a tax professional for guidance on your personal situation. Beyond the paperwork, your Hartford Metro car donation helps fund mission services that connect blind and visually impaired individuals with information, resources, and benefits that can improve daily life.
Key facts about car donation
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
Free towing is available for donors across Hartford Metro and nearby suburbs.
100-percent of vehicle proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind mission services.
Vehicle proceeds help connect blind or visually impaired individuals with benefit programs.
Check potential assistance eligibility at nhftb.org/finder for programs like SSI, LIHEAP, and Medicaid.
For $500-plus vehicle sales, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C for tax records.