How the car donation process works
Start with the vehicle details and pickup location
Begin by sharing the basics: the year, make, model, VIN if available, running condition, and where the vehicle is located in Louisville Metro. Free towing is available across the area, whether the vehicle is near downtown Louisville, Iroquois Park, Pleasure Ridge Park, Lyndon, Okolona, or a nearby suburb. You will also be asked about the title status so the team can prepare you before scheduling pickup. If the title is in hand and matches the donor, the process is usually straightforward. If not, Bluegrass Auto Gift will help identify the next step.
Check whether the title is clean, lost, or unavailable
A clean, signed title is preferred because it allows Heritage for the Blind to accept the vehicle and process the transfer quickly. If you lost the title, do not give up on donating. Heritage for the Blind can guide you through the lost-title process for your state and explain what may be needed before pickup. In some cases, vehicles without titles can still be considered, depending on the vehicle, state rules, and available paperwork. The best move is to call and describe your situation before assuming the donation cannot happen.
Resolve liens or ownership questions before pickup
If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lien generally must be satisfied before donation, or you will need to contact the lender and request a proper lien release or title release. Heritage for the Blind cannot accept a vehicle that another party still legally controls. If the title is in someone else’s name, that person usually must sign. If the titled owner has passed away, such as a spouse or parent, you may need probate documents, an affidavit of heirship, or similar paperwork depending on state law. The team can help you understand what to ask for.
Sign the title over to Heritage for the Blind at pickup
When your Louisville Metro pickup is scheduled, the tow driver will bring the donation paperwork and confirm the vehicle being collected. At pickup, the title should be signed over to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, unless you have been instructed otherwise based on your state’s paperwork. Foreign-state titles are commonly accepted, so a car titled in Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, or another state may still be eligible. The driver handles the tow at no cost to you, and you do not need the vehicle to be running in most donation situations.
Keep your receipt and tax documents
After the vehicle is picked up, keep the donation receipt and any follow-up tax paperwork for your records. Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and vehicles that sell for more than $500 are reported with IRS Form 1098-C. Most donors do not need a DMV visit after the signed title is handed off at pickup, though you should follow any state-specific instructions provided and handle license plates or insurance according to local rules. If you want to check whether you may qualify for other benefit connections, visit nhftb.org/finder.
Key facts about car donation
A clean title is preferred, but lost-title situations may still be workable with proper state guidance.
Any active lien must be paid off or released by the lender before the vehicle can be donated.
At pickup, the title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446.
Out-of-state titles are accepted when properly signed and matched to the vehicle being donated.
Vehicles without titles can sometimes be accepted; call first so the paperwork can be reviewed.
Free towing is available throughout Louisville Metro, with the driver bringing the needed pickup paperwork.