How the car donation process works
Start Your Donation With a Mission in Mind
Tell Steel Wheels about the vehicle you want to donate in the Columbus Metro, including its year, make, model, general condition, and location. Cars, trucks, vans, and many other vehicles may qualify, whether they are running or not. From there, the donation is connected to Heritage for the Blind, a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 58-2164446. You do not need to understand auctions, towing, or tax forms before you begin. The goal is to make donating straightforward while keeping the mission clear: helping people who are blind or visually impaired.
Schedule Free Pickup Across the Columbus Metro
After your donation is accepted, free towing is arranged at a time that works for you. Pickup is available throughout Columbus and surrounding communities, including neighborhoods and suburbs such as Upper Arlington, Worthington, Bexley, Canal Winchester, New Albany, Pickerington, and Gahanna. You can donate from a driveway, repair shop, apartment lot, business location, or other accessible pickup point. The tow team will guide you on what to have ready, including the title when required. There is no towing charge to you, so more of the vehicle value can support the charity.
Your Vehicle Is Sold to Create Charitable Proceeds
Once the vehicle is picked up, it is processed for sale through the appropriate resale channel. The gross sale price becomes the key figure for your tax documentation when the vehicle sells for more than $500. Steel Wheels does not ask donors to guess what a vehicle might bring or make unsupported promises about value. Instead, the process is based on the actual sale. This helps create a clear, auditable path from your donated vehicle to proceeds that support Heritage for the Blind services for blind and visually impaired Americans.
100-Percent of Vehicle Proceeds Go to Heritage for the Blind
After sale-related processing, 100-percent of the vehicle proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind. Those proceeds help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired, including assistance connecting individuals with government benefits and support programs. These may include SSI, SSDI, LIHEAP, Section 8, Medicare Extra Help, and Medicaid. Heritage also provides a benefits eligibility tool at nhftb.org/finder for people who want to check what programs they may qualify for. Your Columbus Metro donation helps turn an unused vehicle into support for people navigating vision loss and practical needs.
Receive the Tax Documents You Need
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, so 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 IRS Form 1098-C is provided for your records. Keep that form, your acknowledgment, and any related donation documents with your tax files. Tax situations vary, so you may want to speak with a tax professional. Steel Wheels helps make sure you understand the basic paperwork before you donate.
Key facts about car donation
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446, serving blind and visually impaired Americans.
Free vehicle pickup is available throughout Columbus Metro neighborhoods, suburbs, and many accessible parking or repair locations.
100-percent of vehicle sale proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind to help fund mission-based services.
Heritage connects eligible individuals with benefit programs including SSI, SSDI, LIHEAP, Section 8, Medicare Extra Help, and Medicaid.
Donors who itemize may claim a tax deduction, with vehicles over $500 documented by IRS Form 1098-C.
People seeking assistance can check potential benefit eligibility through Heritage for the Blind at nhftb.org/finder.