How the car donation process works
Start your Cleveland car donation
Begin by telling Cleveland Car Connect about your vehicle, whether it is a car, truck, van, SUV, or other accepted vehicle. You do not need to know the vehicle value before donating, and many vehicles can be accepted even if they are not running. The goal is to make giving simple for mission-motivated donors across Greater Cleveland. Once your basic vehicle and contact details are received, the donation team can guide you through the next steps, answer title questions, and help schedule a convenient free tow.
Schedule free pickup anywhere in Greater Cleveland
Your vehicle pickup is free, so you do not have to arrange a tow or pay out of pocket to donate. Pickup may be scheduled at a home, workplace, repair shop, or another accessible location in Cleveland and nearby suburbs such as Westlake, Shaker Heights, Garfield Heights, Mentor, Rocky River, and Beachwood. The towing provider will coordinate a pickup time, collect the vehicle, and provide the initial paperwork. This step is designed to be straightforward, respectful of your time, and accessible even if the vehicle no longer drives.
The vehicle is sold to create charitable proceeds
After pickup, the vehicle is processed and sold through an appropriate resale or auction channel. The sale price becomes the basis for the charitable proceeds and, for vehicles that sell for more than $500, the amount reported for tax documentation. Cleveland Car Connect does not invent or estimate an impact value before sale. Instead, the process uses the actual gross selling price, keeping the donation transparent for donors who want to understand exactly how their car turns into support for Heritage for the Blind.
100-percent of proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind
Once the vehicle is sold, 100-percent of the vehicle proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving people who are blind or visually impaired. These proceeds help fund mission services that support independence, access, and connection to vital resources. For donors in Cleveland, this means an unused or unwanted vehicle can become practical support for people facing vision loss and navigating complex systems for assistance, benefits, and everyday needs.
Proceeds help connect people with needed benefits
Heritage for the Blind uses vehicle donation proceeds to help serve blind and visually impaired Americans, including connecting individuals with public assistance programs that may improve financial stability and access to care. These programs can include SSI, SSDI, LIHEAP, Section 8 housing support, Medicare Extra Help, and Medicaid. Donors, family members, or anyone who wants to explore possible eligibility can visit nhftb.org/finder. Your car donation helps fund the kind of guidance that makes these resources easier to understand and pursue.
Receive tax documentation after the sale
Because Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, eligible donations may be tax deductible for donors who itemize deductions. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, your deduction is generally based on the gross vehicle sale price, and you receive IRS Form 1098-C for your tax records. Keep your receipt and consult a qualified tax professional for advice about your specific return. The process is built to give donors clear documentation while supporting a real charitable mission.
Key facts about car donation
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446.
Free vehicle pickup is available for donors throughout Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland region.
100-percent of vehicle proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind after your donated vehicle is sold.
For vehicles selling over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Heritage helps connect people with benefit programs including SSI, SSDI, LIHEAP, Medicaid, and Section 8.
Anyone checking assistance-program eligibility can visit nhftb.org/finder for benefit navigation support.