How the car donation process works
You Start With a Simple Alabama Donation Request
Begin by telling Alabamotion about your vehicle, where it is located, and whether it runs. We accept many cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, and other vehicles across Alabama, including metro areas like Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Decatur, Madison, Prattville, and Bessemer. You do not need to decide whether the vehicle should go to auction, repair, or salvage. After your donation is submitted, the pickup and vehicle-handling process is arranged so the car can be evaluated and sold in the way that best supports Heritage for the Blind.
Your Vehicle Is Picked Up at No Cost
Alabamotion helps coordinate free towing from your home, workplace, repair shop, storage lot, apartment complex, or another accessible location. Whether your vehicle is parked near Gulf Shores, in a Huntsville driveway, at a Montgomery mechanic, or behind a Birmingham garage, the goal is to make donation easy and low-stress. You will receive pickup instructions and basic paperwork guidance before the tow. If the car does not start, has a dead battery, or has been sitting for months, that is usually okay. The vehicle can still be assessed after pickup.
The Vehicle Is Assessed After Pickup
Once the donated vehicle is in the program’s handling process, it is reviewed for condition, mileage, drivability, title status, location, and likely resale value. This assessment helps determine the best next step. A running car in solid, resalable condition may be directed to a public or dealer auction. A damaged, non-running, very high-mileage, or incomplete vehicle may be better suited for a licensed salvage or parts buyer. This decision is made after pickup, not based on guesswork, so your donation has the best chance to generate useful proceeds.
Running Vehicles Typically Go to Auction
If your Alabama vehicle runs and appears to be in resalable condition, it will typically be sold through a public or dealer auction. Auctions help expose the vehicle to buyers who understand used-car value, including dealers, resellers, and other qualified purchasers. Heritage for the Blind does not need to keep or personally use every donated car for the donation to matter. The sale proceeds are the revenue that supports the nonprofit’s work. That means a sedan from Hoover, a pickup from Mobile, or an SUV from Auburn can become funding for mission-related services.
Non-Running Vehicles May Be Sold for Salvage or Parts
Not every donated vehicle is road-ready, and that is okay. Cars with major mechanical problems, severe damage, missing components, very high mileage, or long storage histories are often sold to licensed salvage or parts buyers. This may be the most responsible and valuable path for a vehicle that would cost too much to repair for resale. Instead of paying to keep an unwanted car in your driveway or yard, you can donate it, get a free tow, and help create proceeds for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446.
Proceeds Support Blind and Visually Impaired People
After the vehicle is sold, the gross sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind as revenue for its charitable work serving people who are blind or visually impaired. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, donors generally receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price, which is used to determine the tax deduction. If you or someone you know needs help finding possible benefits, Heritage also provides a benefit finder at nhftb.org/finder for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related support resources.
Key facts about car donation
Alabamotion helps arrange free vehicle pickup throughout Alabama, including cities, suburbs, and many rural communities.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction after pickup and assessment.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles are typically sold to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles sold for over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Heritage for the Blind also connects people with benefit resources at nhftb.org/finder.