How the car donation process works
You request a free Minnesota pickup
Start by submitting your car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, or other eligible vehicle through Nordic AutoGift. Free towing is available across Minnesota, including Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Duluth, Rochester, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Eagan, St. Cloud, Mankato, and many surrounding communities. After your information is confirmed, a towing partner contacts you to arrange a pickup time that works for your schedule. You do not have to clean up the vehicle beyond removing personal belongings, and you do not need to make repairs before donating.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
After pickup, the vehicle is evaluated for condition, mileage, drivability, damage, and local market demand. This assessment helps determine the most practical way to sell the vehicle and generate revenue for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446. A car that starts, runs, and has resale potential is treated differently from a vehicle with a blown engine, severe rust, missing parts, or very high mileage. The goal is not to create extra hassle for you; it is to convert the donated vehicle into the strongest available proceeds for the charity.
Running vehicles typically go to auction
If your donated car is running and in resalable condition, it typically goes to a public or dealer auction. This is often the most efficient way to let market buyers compete for the vehicle and establish its actual sale price. A vehicle may receive basic preparation when appropriate, but the program is designed to avoid unnecessary costs that could reduce the amount ultimately benefiting Heritage for the Blind. Your car is not valued by a guess or a promise; the final sale price is determined when the vehicle sells.
Non-running vehicles usually go to salvage or parts buyers
If the vehicle does not run, has major mechanical issues, is severely damaged, or has mileage that makes resale unlikely, it typically goes to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That does not mean your donation has no value. Many vehicles can still generate proceeds through usable parts, recyclable materials, or salvage channels. This route is especially common for older cars that have served Minnesota families through long winters and tough roads but are no longer practical to repair or resell.
Sale proceeds fund Heritage for the Blind
Whether the vehicle sells at auction or through a parts or salvage channel, the proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind as revenue for its charitable work. Heritage for the Blind is a real 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, serving people who are blind or visually impaired. The vehicle is generally converted into funds rather than handed directly to a family. Heritage also helps connect eligible people with resources and benefit information; donors or community members can visit nhftb.org/finder to check programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, and Section 8.
You receive tax documentation after the sale
After your Minnesota vehicle sells, you receive the appropriate donation receipt and sale documentation. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, your tax deduction is generally equal to the gross sale price, and Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C. Keep that form with your tax records and consult a tax professional if you have questions about your specific situation. Nordic AutoGift keeps the process simple: donate, schedule free towing, let the vehicle be sold, and receive documentation tied to the actual sale.
Key facts about car donation
Your donated vehicle is assessed after pickup, not guessed at before the tow truck arrives.
Running, resalable Minnesota vehicles typically go to public or dealer auction.
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, EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles selling over $500, IRS Form 1098-C reports the gross sale price.
Pickup is free for donors throughout Minnesota and many nearby communities.