How the car donation process works
You donate and choose a free San Antonio pickup
Start by telling Ride Again about your vehicle and where it’s located in the San Antonio Metro. Pickup is available across local areas such as Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, Leon Valley, Converse, Live Oak, Helotes, Schertz, and New Braunfels. You do not need to drive the car anywhere. A towing provider schedules a convenient pickup time, and the tow is free. Whether the vehicle is parked at a home, apartment, repair shop, office, or storage location, the goal is to make the handoff simple and low-stress.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
After pickup, the donated vehicle is reviewed for practical resale options. The assessment looks at factors such as whether it starts and runs, mileage, age, visible damage, title status, market demand, and repair feasibility. This is not about judging your donation; it is about choosing the sale path that can generate value for Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). A clean, running vehicle may have value at auction, while an older or non-running vehicle may be worth more to a licensed salvage or parts buyer.
Running vehicles usually go to auction
If your donated car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, or RV is running and in resalable condition, it typically goes to a public or dealer auction. Auction buyers may include dealers, wholesalers, exporters, mechanics, or local buyers looking for a vehicle they can use or resell. Ride Again does not need you to repair the vehicle before donating. The auction process simply helps turn your vehicle into cash proceeds, which become revenue for Heritage for the Blind to support services for blind and visually impaired Americans.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may be sold for parts
If the vehicle does not run, has very high mileage, needs major repairs, or is not practical to resell, it typically goes to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That may mean usable components are recovered, or the vehicle is processed for scrap and recycling. This path still creates value. A car sitting unused in a driveway in San Antonio, Balcones Heights, Universal City, or Kirby can become proceeds that support Heritage for the Blind instead of continuing to lose value.
Proceeds fund Heritage for the Blind services
Once the vehicle sells, the gross sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446), a recognized 501(c)(3) charity. Those proceeds are the charity’s revenue from your donation and help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Donors sometimes ask whether their specific car will be given to a family in need. In most cases, the vehicle is sold rather than assigned to an individual, because selling it creates flexible funding the charity can use for mission-related services.
You receive the tax documents you need
After your vehicle is sold, you receive documentation for your records. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, the IRS generally requires Form 1098-C, which reports the gross sale price. In that situation, your potential tax deduction is typically based on the gross sale price, not an estimate you choose yourself. Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446. Always consult a tax professional for advice about your personal return and how to claim your deduction.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available throughout the San Antonio Metro for eligible donated vehicles.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically move to public or dealer auction.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles usually go to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Sale proceeds become revenue for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, a 501(c)(3) charity.
Vehicles selling for over $500 generally receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Heritage’s benefit finder is available at nhftb.org/finder for SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, and Section 8 resources.