How the car donation process works
Start with the 2-minute form or a quick call
Begin by filling out the short online donation form for Ride for Good or calling Heritage for the Blind directly. You will share basic details such as your name, Kentucky pickup address, vehicle year, make, model, mileage if known, and general condition. You do not need to know the vehicle’s value, and it does not have to be running. Donors across Louisville, Lexington, Frankfort, Elizabethtown, Richmond, and surrounding communities can start the same way: submit the form, ask any questions, and let the team confirm the next steps.
A coordinator calls back to schedule your free pickup
After your form or call is received, a donation coordinator typically calls back within 1-2 business hours. This call is designed to be helpful, not high pressure. The coordinator confirms the vehicle location, answers title questions, checks access for the tow truck, and helps schedule a free pickup window that works for you. In many Kentucky metro areas, including Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky, Bowling Green, and Owensboro, same-day or next-business-day pickup may be available depending on local tow capacity and timing.
The licensed tow truck arrives and you sign the title
At pickup, a licensed tow provider comes to your home, workplace, repair shop, storage lot, or other approved location. There is no towing charge, no hidden fee, and no cost to donate at any step. You or the authorized title holder should have the signed Kentucky title ready, along with keys if available. The tow driver will guide you through the handoff, and you sign the title over at pickup. If your vehicle is in a driveway, apartment lot, farm property, or mechanic’s shop, mention access details during scheduling.
Your vehicle is moved to auction or a parts reseller
Once the vehicle is picked up, it is transported for processing. Depending on condition, mileage, age, location, and market demand, it may be sent to an auction or to a parts reseller. You do not need to manage repairs, advertising, buyer calls, price negotiation, or DMV-style paperwork beyond the required title transfer. This is often the biggest relief for Kentucky donors with older cars, non-running vehicles, inherited vehicles, or cars that are not worth the time and expense of selling privately.
Sale proceeds help fund Heritage for the Blind
After the vehicle is sold, proceeds from your donation go to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446. Heritage for the Blind supports services for people who are blind or visually impaired and also helps connect individuals with benefit information. If you or someone you know wants to check eligibility for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, or related assistance, visit nhftb.org/finder. Your Kentucky car donation becomes a practical way to clear space while supporting a mission-focused charity.
Your tax receipt is mailed after the vehicle sells
After the sale is complete, your tax documentation is mailed to you. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, you receive IRS Form 1098-C. For vehicles that sell for $500 or under, you receive a written acknowledgment. The full process, from initial contact through mailed receipt, typically takes about 2-6 weeks, depending on pickup timing, sale processing, and mail delivery. Keep your receipt with your tax records and speak with a tax professional if you have questions about claiming a charitable deduction.
Key facts about car donation
Pickup is free anywhere service is available in Kentucky, with no towing bill sent to the donor.
A coordinator usually calls within 1-2 business hours after you submit the donation form.
Same-day or next-business-day pickup is often possible in Kentucky metro areas when tow capacity allows.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446.
IRS Form 1098-C is mailed for donated vehicles that sell for more than $500.
The end-to-end donation process typically takes 2-6 weeks from contact to mailed receipt.