How the car donation process works
Start with a 2-minute form or a quick call
Begin by completing Nordic AutoGift’s short online donation form or by calling Heritage for the Blind directly. You’ll share basic information: your name, contact details, Minnesota pickup location, vehicle year, make, model, mileage if known, and whether you have the title. You do not need to know the vehicle’s value or repair history to get started. Donors in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, Mankato, and surrounding suburbs can start the same way. Once submitted, your request moves to a donation coordinator who prepares the free pickup.
A coordinator calls within 1-2 business hours
After your form or call, a donation coordinator typically reaches out within 1-2 business hours. This is your chance to ask questions before committing to a pickup time. The coordinator confirms the vehicle location, title status, preferred contact method, and access details such as driveway, garage, apartment lot, alley, or workplace pickup. If the vehicle is in a Twin Cities suburb like Bloomington, Edina, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, or Woodbury, scheduling is usually straightforward. The coordinator then arranges a licensed tow provider at no cost to you.
Free towing is scheduled at your location
A licensed tow truck comes to the Minnesota pickup address you choose, often same-day or the next business day in most metro areas. Availability can vary by weather, vehicle access, and distance, especially in rural or northern Minnesota communities, but towing remains free. You do not have to make the vehicle run, clean it thoroughly, or pay for removal. At pickup, you’ll sign the title over according to Minnesota requirements. Remove personal belongings, plates if instructed, and any toll tags or insurance documents before the truck arrives.
Your vehicle goes to auction or a parts reseller
Once picked up, the vehicle is transported to an auction facility or parts reseller, depending on its condition, age, demand, and marketability. Running vehicles, damaged cars, high-mileage SUVs, trucks, vans, and non-running vehicles may all follow different resale paths. You do not need to handle advertising, repairs, buyer calls, test drives, or negotiation. The resale process is handled after towing, and the final sale amount determines which tax acknowledgment you receive. This step is one reason the full process usually takes longer than the pickup itself.
Sale proceeds support Heritage for the Blind
After the vehicle sells, the net proceeds are directed to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 58-2164446. Your Minnesota car donation helps fund services and outreach for people who are blind or visually impaired. Nordic AutoGift connects donors with a practical way to turn an unused vehicle into charitable support without out-of-pocket towing costs. If you are also exploring assistance resources, Heritage shares benefit-screening information at nhftb.org/finder for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related support options.
Your tax receipt is mailed after the sale
When the vehicle sale is complete, your tax documentation is mailed to you. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. For vehicles that sell for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment. The full timeline from donation start to tax receipt is typically 2-6 weeks, depending on pickup scheduling, auction timing, and sale processing. Keep your receipt with your tax records and consult a qualified tax professional about your specific deduction. There is no donor fee at any point.
Key facts about car donation
Minnesota pickup is free, whether your vehicle runs or not, subject to safe tow access.
A coordinator typically calls back within 1-2 business hours after you submit the form.
Same-day or next-business-day towing is often available in Minneapolis-St. Paul metro areas.
You sign the vehicle title over at pickup; the tow provider confirms final instructions.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
Tax paperwork is mailed after sale: Form 1098-C over $500, acknowledgment at $500 or under.