How the car donation process works
Start With the 2-Minute Form or a Call
Begin by completing Palm Ride Exchange's short online donation form or by calling Heritage for the Blind directly. You will share basic details such as the vehicle year, make, model, condition, location, and whether you have the title. Cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and some other vehicles may be accepted, even if they are not currently running. You do not need to know the vehicle's value before starting. The purpose of this first step is simply to confirm the information needed to move your West Palm Beach donation forward.
A Donation Coordinator Calls You Back
After your form or call is received, a donation coordinator typically calls back within 1-2 business hours. The coordinator answers questions, confirms the pickup address, reviews title instructions, and helps choose a convenient pickup window. Donors in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, and nearby South Florida communities can often arrange pickup quickly. This is also the time to mention gate codes, apartment access, parking limitations, a mechanic's lot, or any details that will help the tow driver find the vehicle.
Your Free Pickup Is Scheduled
A licensed tow truck is scheduled at no cost to you. In most metro areas, pickup can happen the same day or the next business day, depending on availability and vehicle location. The tow can usually take place at your house, condo, workplace, dealership, storage lot, or repair shop. Whether your vehicle is in downtown West Palm Beach, Northwood, Flamingo Park, El Cid, Century Village, or along the I-95 corridor, the goal is to make pickup simple, safe, and convenient.
Sign the Title at Pickup
When the licensed tow truck arrives, you will provide the keys and sign the vehicle title over at pickup. The coordinator can explain what to have ready beforehand, but most donors should prepare the signed title, a set of keys if available, and remove personal items from the vehicle. You do not pay the tow driver, and there are no hidden towing, processing, or pickup fees. If you have questions about a Florida title, lien release, or a missing title, ask before pickup so the team can guide you.
The Vehicle Goes to Auction or Resale
After pickup, the vehicle is transported to an auction, recycler, or parts reseller based on its condition and marketability. Running vehicles may be sold through auction channels, while older, damaged, or non-running vehicles may be directed to a parts or resale buyer. You do not need to handle advertising, repairs, buyer calls, DMV logistics, or negotiations. The sale process happens after the vehicle leaves your West Palm Beach location, and the goal is to convert the donated vehicle into support for the nonprofit mission.
Proceeds Support Heritage and Your Receipt Is Mailed
Once the vehicle sells, the net proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) charity, EIN 58-2164446, to help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Your tax receipt is mailed after the sale. 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 donation process, from intake through receipt, typically takes about 2-6 weeks.
Key facts about car donation
There is no cost to donate, schedule pickup, tow the vehicle, or process the donation.
Coordinators usually call back within 1-2 business hours after your form or phone request.
Same-day or next-business-day pickup is often available in major South Florida metro areas.
You sign the title over at pickup when the licensed tow truck arrives.
Tax paperwork is mailed after the vehicle sells, not at the moment of pickup.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, EIN 58-2164446.