How the car donation process works
You start the donation and schedule free pickup
Once you donate through Palm Ride Exchange, your vehicle information is collected so pickup can be arranged at a time and location that works for you. Towing is free in West Palm Beach and across nearby South Florida communities, whether the vehicle is at your home, a condo garage, workplace, repair shop, storage lot, or family property. You do not need to make the car look perfect. Basic information such as the year, make, model, mileage, title status, and whether it starts helps determine the next best step after pickup.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
After the vehicle is removed, it is reviewed for condition, drivability, mileage, damage, market demand, and resale potential. This assessment is practical, not mysterious: the question is how to generate the strongest sale result for Heritage for the Blind while keeping the process efficient. A clean, running sedan from West Palm Beach may be handled differently than a high-mileage work truck, a storm-damaged SUV, or a vehicle that has been sitting in a Wellington driveway for months. The path depends on what buyers are likely to pay.
Running, resalable vehicles typically go to auction
If your donated car runs and is in resalable condition, it will typically be sent to a public or dealer auction. Auction buyers may include dealers, wholesalers, mechanics, exporters, or individuals looking for usable vehicles. In some cases, minor repairs or preparation may be considered if doing so is expected to improve the final sale result. The vehicle is not usually assigned directly to a local family; instead, Palm Ride Exchange helps convert it into cash proceeds for Heritage for the Blind, so the nonprofit can fund its mission.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may be sold for parts or salvage
If the vehicle does not run, has very high mileage, major mechanical problems, missing parts, or heavy damage, it will typically be sold to licensed salvage or parts buyers. That can still create meaningful value for Heritage for the Blind, even when the car is not practical to repair or resell on the road. A vehicle in West Palm Beach that seems like a burden to you may still have usable components, scrap value, or buyer demand through the proper licensed channels.
Sale proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind
After the vehicle is sold, the gross sale proceeds become revenue for Heritage for the Blind, a real 501(c)(3) charity, EIN 58-2164446. Those proceeds help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Heritage also provides resources that may help people explore support programs, and donors or community members can visit nhftb.org/finder to check potential eligibility for benefits such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related assistance. Your unwanted car becomes a way to support access, independence, and dignity.
You receive the tax paperwork after the sale
You will receive donation documentation for your records. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, your tax deduction is generally based on the gross sale price, and IRS Form 1098-C is provided as required. This form reports the sale amount so you can use it when preparing your federal tax return. Palm Ride Exchange cannot give tax advice, so it is always wise to speak with a qualified tax professional about your individual situation, especially if you plan to itemize deductions.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available in West Palm Beach, surrounding suburbs, and throughout the South Florida region.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction after pickup and assessment.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles are typically sold to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles selling over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Your car is usually converted into mission funding, not directly placed with a specific local family.