How the car donation process works
You donate and schedule a free San Francisco Bay Area tow
Start by submitting your vehicle donation through AutoBay Alliance. You provide basic details such as the year, make, model, condition, mileage, title status, and where the vehicle is located. Free towing is available across San Francisco and the wider Bay Area, including neighborhoods and communities such as Noe Valley, Richmond District, Pacific Heights, South San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Mateo, and Marin. A towing partner contacts you to arrange a convenient pickup time, often from a driveway, street parking space, repair shop, or storage location.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
After your car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, or other accepted vehicle is picked up, it is assessed for condition and resale potential. This assessment looks at practical factors: whether it runs, whether it can be driven safely, visible damage, age, mileage, market demand, and the likely cost of preparing it for sale. The goal is not to overcomplicate the process for you. It is to choose the route most likely to generate useful proceeds for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, while handling the vehicle through appropriate licensed channels.
Running vehicles usually go to public or dealer auction
If your donated vehicle is running and in resalable condition, it will typically be sent to a public or dealer auction. Auction buyers may include dealers, wholesalers, exporters, independent buyers, or others looking for used vehicles. This is a common path for cars that still have market value but may not be ideal for you to sell privately. The auction process converts the vehicle into sale proceeds. Those gross sale proceeds become revenue for Heritage for the Blind, a recognized 501(c)(3) charity supporting blind and visually impaired people.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may be sold for salvage or parts
If your vehicle does not start, has very high mileage, has major mechanical issues, or would cost too much to prepare for auction, it will typically be sold to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That does not mean your donation has no value. Older cars, damaged vehicles, and cars that have failed smog or sat unused can still generate proceeds through parts, scrap, or salvage resale. For many San Francisco donors, this is the easiest way to clear an unwanted vehicle without paying for a tow while still helping a charitable mission.
Proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind and you receive tax paperwork
Once the vehicle sells, the proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, to help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, you receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price, which is the amount generally used for your tax deduction if you itemize. Keep your donation receipt and tax form with your records. AutoBay Alliance helps make the process straightforward, but you should always consult a tax professional for personal tax advice.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available for eligible vehicle donations throughout San Francisco and the broader Bay Area.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction after pickup.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles typically go to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Sale proceeds are revenue for Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446.
Vehicles selling for over $500 generate IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Donors who need benefit information can check nhftb.org/finder for programs Heritage may help identify.