How the car donation process works
Start With the 2-Minute Form or a Call
Begin by completing RevUp Richmond's quick online donation form or calling Heritage for the Blind directly. You will share basic details: your name, contact information, vehicle year, make, model, condition, title status, and where the vehicle is located in the Richmond Metro. You do not need to know its market value or make repairs before donating. This first step is designed for people who are still deciding, so it is fine to ask questions about pickup, timing, title signing, or tax receipt paperwork before you commit.
A Coordinator Calls Back and Schedules Free Pickup
After your form is received, a donation coordinator typically calls back within 1-2 business hours during normal business times. The coordinator confirms the vehicle details, reviews the title and key situation, and helps schedule a free pickup time that works for you. Pickup is available across Richmond and nearby communities including Carytown, Northside, Southside, Ashland, Bon Air, Lakeside, and surrounding suburbs. There is no towing charge, processing fee, or out-of-pocket cost at this stage, and the coordinator will tell you exactly what to have ready.
The Tow Truck Arrives and You Sign the Title
In most metro areas, a licensed tow truck can arrive the same day or the next business day, depending on schedule and location. The driver comes to the address you choose, such as your home, office, apartment lot, repair shop, or storage location. Before pickup, remove personal items and have the title and keys ready if available. At pickup, you sign the title over as instructed, receive pickup documentation, and the vehicle is loaded at no cost. You do not need to drive it or be near a dealership.
Your Vehicle Is Sent to Auction or a Parts Reseller
Once the donated car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, or other accepted vehicle leaves your Richmond-area location, it is transported to the appropriate sale channel. Depending on condition, age, mileage, and market demand, the vehicle may be offered through auction or handled by a parts reseller. This step is what determines the final sale amount used for tax documentation. You do not have to negotiate with buyers, arrange advertising, meet strangers, or manage DMV-style paperwork beyond the required title signing at pickup.
Sale Proceeds Support Heritage for the Blind
After the vehicle sells, net proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446. Your Richmond car donation helps fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Heritage also connects eligible individuals with benefit resources, and donors who want to check benefit eligibility for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related support can visit nhftb.org/finder. RevUp Richmond's role is to make giving simple, while Heritage puts the resulting support toward its charitable mission.
Your Tax Receipt Is Mailed After the Sale
The full donation process typically takes 2-6 weeks from start to final tax paperwork, because the vehicle must be picked up, processed, sold, and documented. After the sale, your tax receipt is mailed. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C. For vehicles that sell for $500 or under, you receive a written acknowledgment. Keep these documents with your tax records, and speak with a tax professional if you have questions about how a charitable vehicle donation may apply to your return.
Key facts about car donation
Pickup is free across the Richmond Metro, with no towing fee or processing cost to the donor.
A coordinator typically calls within 1-2 business hours after you submit the donation form.
Same-day or next-business-day pickup is available in most metro areas when scheduling allows.
You sign the vehicle title over at pickup, then Heritage handles the remaining sale steps.
Tax paperwork is mailed after sale: Form 1098-C over $500, acknowledgment at $500 or under.
Most donations move from first contact to final receipt within about 2-6 weeks.