How the car donation process works
Start your Delaware vehicle donation with First State Autos
Begin by telling First State Autos about the vehicle you want to donate and where it is located in Delaware. You do not need to be an automotive expert; basic details such as the year, make, model, condition, and title status help us arrange the next steps. Donors from Wilmington rowhome neighborhoods, Newark college-area streets, Dover communities, Middletown subdivisions, and coastal towns like Lewes or Rehoboth Beach can request free towing. The goal is simple: make donating convenient while directing the vehicle proceeds to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446.
Schedule free pickup at a time that works for you
After your donation is accepted, a towing partner will contact you to schedule free pickup. The vehicle can often be collected from a home, workplace, repair shop, apartment complex, or storage location, depending on access and title requirements. You will receive instructions about removing personal items and preparing any needed documents. There is no towing charge to you. For Delaware donors who are busy, out of town, or helping a family member donate a vehicle, this pickup process keeps the transaction straightforward and respectful from start to finish.
Your vehicle is sold and proceeds go to Heritage
Once the vehicle is picked up, it is moved through the appropriate sale process based on condition, location, and marketability. Some vehicles are sold through auction or wholesale channels, while others may be handled differently if they are not roadworthy. First State Autos does not ask donors to manage pricing, repairs, advertising, or buyer negotiations. After the vehicle is sold, 100-percent of the vehicle proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446, that receives and uses the charitable value of the donation.
Proceeds help fund services for blind Americans
Heritage for the Blind uses vehicle donation proceeds to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. That includes helping individuals understand and connect with government benefit programs that may improve financial stability, housing, utilities, healthcare, and daily living. Examples include SSI, SSDI, LIHEAP, Section 8, Medicare Extra Help, and Medicaid. Donors, family members, or individuals seeking assistance can also check potential eligibility for benefit programs at nhftb.org/finder. Your donation helps fund the kind of guidance many people need when systems feel confusing or hard to navigate alone.
Receive the tax documentation you may need
Because Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, your donation may be tax deductible if you itemize deductions on your federal return. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, the deductible amount is generally the gross vehicle sale price reported to you on IRS Form 1098-C. Donors should keep their acknowledgment and consult a qualified tax professional for personal guidance. First State Autos helps make the receipt process clear, so you can donate with confidence and maintain the records needed for tax time.
Key facts about car donation
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446.
Free vehicle pickup is available across Delaware, including Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Middletown, and coastal communities.
100-percent of vehicle sale proceeds through First State Autos go to Heritage for the Blind.
Proceeds support services for people who are blind or visually impaired, including benefit-program navigation.
Donors and families can check benefit eligibility for assistance programs at nhftb.org/finder.
For vehicles selling over $500, IRS Form 1098-C reports the gross sale price.