How the car donation process works
Start with the 2-minute form or a quick call
Your Massachusetts car donation begins when you complete the short online donation form through Velocity Vehicle or call Heritage for the Blind directly. You will share basic details such as the vehicle year, make, model, location, condition, and whether you have the title. The form is designed to take about two minutes, and you do not need to know your car’s exact value before starting. This first step simply gives the donation team enough information to open your file and prepare a free pickup plan.
A coordinator calls within 1-2 business hours
After your form is submitted, a donation coordinator typically calls back within 1-2 business hours during normal business times. The coordinator confirms your vehicle details, answers questions, and helps schedule your free tow. You can usually choose pickup at your home, apartment lot, workplace, repair shop, storage facility, or another accessible location in Massachusetts. This call is also a good time to ask about title signing, keys, vehicle access, or timing if you are donating from a busy neighborhood in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, or Worcester.
Your free tow is scheduled at your location
In most Massachusetts metro areas, a licensed tow truck can arrive the same day or the next business day, depending on availability and your schedule. Pickup is free whether the vehicle runs or not, as long as it can be safely accessed by the tow provider. When the driver arrives, you will sign the title over at pickup and hand over the keys if you have them. The driver may provide pickup paperwork, but your official tax receipt comes later by mail after the vehicle is processed and sold.
The vehicle is transported for resale or parts
Once the tow is complete, the vehicle is transported to an auction or a parts reseller. The goal is to turn the donated vehicle into support for Heritage for the Blind while keeping the process simple for you. Cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and some specialty vehicles may be accepted, including vehicles that need repairs. You do not have to clean the vehicle perfectly, but you should remove personal belongings, license plates if required, insurance cards, toll transponders, and any documents you want to keep.
Sale proceeds support Heritage for the Blind
After resale or parts processing, the proceeds from your Massachusetts vehicle donation go to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, to help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Heritage also helps connect individuals with benefit resources, and donors who want to check eligibility for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, or Section 8 can visit nhftb.org/finder. Your old car becomes a practical way to support a mission that reaches people facing vision loss and related challenges.
Your tax receipt is mailed after the vehicle sells
After the vehicle is sold, your tax documentation is mailed to you. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, you will receive IRS Form 1098-C. If it sells for $500 or less, you will receive a written acknowledgment. The entire process, from your first contact to the mailed receipt, typically takes about 2-6 weeks. Keep your receipt with your tax records and speak with a qualified tax professional if you have questions about claiming a charitable deduction for your Massachusetts car donation.
Key facts about car donation
Pickup is free throughout Massachusetts, with no towing, processing, or hidden donation fees charged to you.
A coordinator typically calls within 1-2 business hours after you submit the donation form.
Same-day or next-business-day towing is available in many Boston, Worcester, and Springfield metro areas.
You sign the vehicle title over at pickup and receive tax documentation after the vehicle sells.
Form 1098-C is mailed for vehicles over $500; written acknowledgments are mailed for $500 or under.
Most donations take about 2-6 weeks from first contact to mailed tax receipt.