How the car donation process works
You Start the Donation and Schedule Free Las Vegas Pickup
After you submit your donation through Desert Drive, pickup is arranged at no cost to you. Towing is available across the Las Vegas Valley, including Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Paradise, Spring Valley, Enterprise, Sunrise Manor, and nearby areas. You do not need to drive the vehicle anywhere, and many cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and motorcycles can be accepted whether they run or not. At pickup, you hand over the vehicle and the required ownership documents, then the vehicle is taken for assessment.
The Vehicle Is Assessed After Pickup
Once the vehicle is picked up, it is reviewed for condition, mileage, drivability, age, title status, market demand, and likely resale value. This assessment determines the most practical way to sell it. A clean, running vehicle in resalable condition may be handled very differently from a non-running, heavily damaged, or extremely high-mileage vehicle. The goal is simple: choose the sale path that can responsibly generate proceeds for Heritage for the Blind while keeping the process efficient for the donor.
Running, Resalable Vehicles Usually Go to Auction
If your donated car runs and appears to be in resalable condition, it typically goes to a public or dealer auction. This lets buyers compete for the vehicle based on its real market value. Desert Drive does not need you to repair, detail, or advertise the car yourself. The auction sale creates the gross sale price used for donation reporting. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C so you can claim a deduction based on the gross sale price.
Non-Running or High-Mileage Vehicles May Be Sold for Parts or Salvage
If the vehicle does not run, has major mechanical problems, is badly damaged, or has very high mileage, it typically goes to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That does not mean the donation has no value. Even cars that are not practical to repair may still generate proceeds through parts, scrap, or salvage channels. This is often the best outcome for vehicles that would be expensive to tow, fix, register, or resell in the Las Vegas market.
Proceeds Go Directly to Heritage for the Blind
Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the vehicle’s sale proceeds are revenue for the organization. In most cases, donated vehicles are not repaired and handed to a local family; they are sold so the proceeds can help fund Heritage for the Blind services for people who are blind or visually impaired. This sale-based model helps turn an unused vehicle in your driveway, apartment parking space, or garage into mission support.
You Receive Tax Documentation After the Sale
After the donated vehicle is sold, the sale information is used for your tax records. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, you receive IRS Form 1098-C, which reports the gross sale price. In that situation, your charitable deduction is generally equal to the gross sale price listed on the form, subject to IRS rules and your personal tax situation. Keep your donation receipt and tax documents, and consult a tax professional if you have questions about claiming the deduction.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available for qualifying vehicle donations throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
Vehicles are assessed after pickup to determine the best resale, auction, salvage, or parts channel.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles are typically sold to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Vehicles selling for over $500 receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.