How the car donation process works
You start the donation and schedule free Delaware pickup
The process begins when you contact First State Autos with basic vehicle details, such as the year, make, model, mileage, location, title status, and whether the vehicle runs. Free towing is available across Delaware, including Wilmington, Bear, Pike Creek, Newark, Hockessin, Dover, Smyrna, Milford, Rehoboth Beach, and surrounding communities. You do not need to repair, detail, or advertise the vehicle yourself. Once the pickup is scheduled, a towing provider comes to the vehicle location, collects the car, and gives you the initial pickup paperwork. From there, the vehicle moves into the assessment and sale process.
Your vehicle is assessed after pickup
After pickup, the donated vehicle is reviewed to determine the best resale path. The assessment considers whether it starts and drives, its age, mileage, visible condition, market demand, and whether major parts may have value. This is where many donor questions are answered: not every donated vehicle goes to the same place. A clean, running sedan from Newark may be handled differently than a non-running pickup in rural Sussex County. The goal is simple and practical: choose the sale option that can reasonably turn your vehicle into the strongest proceeds for Heritage for the Blind.
Running vehicles usually go to auction
If your donated car is running and in resalable condition, it typically goes to a public auction or dealer auction. Auctions let buyers compete for the vehicle, which helps establish its real market value at sale. The vehicle is not usually repaired extensively before sale, and First State Autos does not promise that a specific car will be given directly to a family in need. Instead, the charitable benefit comes from converting the vehicle into proceeds. Those proceeds are revenue for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, to support programs serving blind and visually impaired people.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles are still useful
A vehicle does not need to be pretty, low-mileage, or running to help. Cars with mechanical problems, accident damage, missing major components, or very high mileage typically go to licensed salvage or parts buyers. These buyers may resell usable parts, recycle materials, or repair the vehicle for another market, depending on condition and local regulations. For donors in places like Dover, Milford, Seaford, or Georgetown, this means an unwanted car in the driveway can still create value. Even when a vehicle is sold for parts, the proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind.
Proceeds fund Heritage for the Blind services
Once the vehicle sells, the gross sale proceeds are directed to Heritage for the Blind, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446. Those sale proceeds are the charity revenue generated by your donation. Heritage for the Blind uses charitable support to help people who are blind or visually impaired access information, resources, and services. Heritage also helps connect people with benefit resources, and donors or households seeking assistance can visit nhftb.org/finder to check eligibility for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related support options.
You receive tax documentation after the sale
After the vehicle is sold, your tax documentation is prepared based on the sale result. If the donated vehicle sells for over $500, you generally receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price, which is the amount typically used for your charitable vehicle deduction. For vehicles selling for $500 or less, different IRS rules may apply. First State Autos keeps the process organized so you know what to expect, but you should always consult a qualified tax professional for personal tax advice. The key point is that the sale price determines your deduction for vehicles over $500.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available throughout Delaware, including Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Middletown, Milford, and coastal communities.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction after pickup and assessment.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles typically go to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles selling over $500, donors generally receive IRS Form 1098-C with the gross sale price.
Your donated vehicle is not promised to a specific family; the mission benefit comes from sale proceeds.