How the car donation process works
You schedule a free Wisconsin vehicle pickup
Start by submitting your donation through Badger Auto Aid. We help arrange free towing at a time that works for you, whether the vehicle is parked in a driveway in Appleton, a garage in Madison, a lot near Milwaukee’s East Side, or outside a home in Racine or Waukesha. Cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and some specialty vehicles may be accepted. You do not need to clean it perfectly or repair it first. The goal is simple: make donating easy while moving the vehicle into the right sales process for Heritage for the Blind.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
After the vehicle is picked up, it is reviewed for condition, mileage, drivability, title status, market demand, and likely resale path. This assessment determines how to create the strongest possible return for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446. A clean, running sedan from Fitchburg may follow a different path than a non-running minivan in West Allis or a high-mileage truck in Superior. Donors do not have to guess or negotiate with buyers. The vehicle is placed where it has the best chance to produce meaningful proceeds for the nonprofit.
Running vehicles usually go to public or dealer auction
If your donated vehicle is running and in resalable condition, it typically goes to a public or dealer auction. Auction sale is often the most efficient way to reach buyers who are actively looking for used vehicles, including dealers and individuals. The car is not randomly handed off or kept by Badger Auto Aid. It is sold so the gross proceeds can support Heritage for the Blind services for people who are blind or visually impaired. This is the most common path for vehicles with resale value.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may be sold for salvage or parts
If a vehicle does not run, has major mechanical issues, accident damage, very high mileage, or limited resale value, it typically goes to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That does not mean the donation failed. A vehicle that is too costly to repair can still produce proceeds through usable parts, scrap value, or salvage resale. This route helps avoid unnecessary repair costs and keeps the donation process practical. In Wisconsin winters, even rusted or aging vehicles may still have value when handled through the right licensed buyer.
Sale proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind
Once the vehicle sells, the sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, a real 501(c)(3) charity, EIN 58-2164446. Those sale proceeds are revenue for Heritage and help fund services for blind and visually impaired Americans. The vehicle itself is generally converted into charitable funding rather than repaired and assigned to a specific family. If you or someone you know wants to check eligibility for benefits such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, or Section 8, Heritage also offers a resource at nhftb.org/finder.
You receive tax documentation after the sale
After the vehicle is sold, you receive the appropriate tax documentation for your donation. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price, which is generally the amount used for your charitable vehicle donation deduction. Keep this form with your tax records and speak with a tax professional if you have questions about your individual filing situation. Badger Auto Aid helps make the paperwork process clear, so you know what to expect after donating.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available for eligible donated vehicles throughout Wisconsin, including major cities, suburbs, and many rural communities.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to a public or dealer auction after assessment.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles are typically sold to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles selling over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Your donated car is usually turned into funding, not promised to a specific person or family.