How the car donation process works
Start with a simple Iowa donation request
Begin by telling Heartland Wheels about your vehicle and where it is located in Iowa. You do not need to drive it anywhere, and many donated vehicles can be accepted whether they are running or not. Donors from West Des Moines, Ankeny, Marion, Coralville, Bettendorf, Sioux City, Dubuque, and rural areas can request free pickup. Once your information is submitted, the donation team confirms basic details, answers questions, and helps schedule the next step. The goal is to make the process clear, respectful, and easy for mission-motivated donors.
Schedule free towing at a convenient time
After your vehicle is accepted, a licensed towing provider will contact you to arrange a pickup time that works for your schedule. Pickup is free, whether the vehicle is parked at your home, workplace, repair shop, apartment complex, farm property, or another accessible location. Iowa donors often appreciate not having to spend money on repairs, advertising, or arranging transportation to a buyer. You will receive instructions about the title and keys before pickup, so you know what to have ready and what to expect when the driver arrives.
Your vehicle is sold to generate charity proceeds
Once the vehicle is picked up, it is processed and sold through an appropriate resale channel. The gross sale price determines key tax documentation for vehicles that sell for more than $500. Most importantly for mission-focused donors, 100-percent of vehicle sale proceeds from Heartland Wheels donations go to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446. That means your unwanted vehicle becomes a funding source for services that support people who are blind or visually impaired, instead of sitting unused in a driveway, garage, alley, or storage lot.
Proceeds support services for blind and visually impaired people
Heritage for the Blind uses vehicle proceeds to fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired, including helping individuals connect with government assistance programs. That support may include guidance related to SSI, SSDI, LIHEAP, Section 8, Medicare Extra Help, Medicaid, and other resources that can affect daily stability and independence. Donors who want to check eligibility for assistance programs can visit nhftb.org/finder. Your car donation helps make this kind of navigation possible for people seeking practical help, reliable information, and a clearer path forward.
Receive tax documentation for your records
Because Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donations may be tax deductible for donors who itemize deductions. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, the deductible amount generally equals the gross vehicle sale price, and IRS Form 1098-C is issued for your records. If the vehicle sells for $500 or less, different IRS rules may apply. Heartland Wheels cannot provide personal tax advice, so donors should consult a qualified tax professional, but the documentation process is designed to be straightforward and donor-friendly.
Key facts about car donation
Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving blind and visually impaired Americans.
100-percent of vehicle sale proceeds from Heartland Wheels donations go to Heritage for the Blind.
Free towing is available across Iowa, including cities, suburbs, college towns, and many rural communities.
Vehicle proceeds help fund services connecting people with SSI, SSDI, LIHEAP, Section 8, Medicare Extra Help, and Medicaid.
Donors can check eligibility for assistance programs through Heritage for the Blind at nhftb.org/finder.
For vehicles sold over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.