How the car donation process works
Start your Crescent Wheels donation
Begin by sharing basic details about your car, truck, SUV, van, motorcycle, or other eligible vehicle. You do not need to know the exact resale value, and the vehicle does not have to be perfect. Many donors in Greater New Orleans donate because they want an unused vehicle to do something meaningful. Crescent Wheels helps gather the information needed to start the donation and connect your gift with Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, serving people who are blind or visually impaired.
Schedule free pickup in Greater New Orleans
After your donation is started, free towing is arranged at a convenient time. Pickup is available throughout New Orleans and nearby communities, including Uptown, Mid-City, Lakeview, New Orleans East, the Westbank, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, Harvey, Marrero, Chalmette, Mandeville, and Covington. The goal is to make donating easier than selling the vehicle yourself. In most cases, you can donate from your home, workplace, repair shop, or another accessible location, as long as the tow provider can safely reach the vehicle.
Your vehicle is sold to create charitable proceeds
Once picked up, the vehicle is processed and sold through the appropriate resale channel. The amount generated depends on the vehicle’s condition, market demand, mileage, title status, and other sale factors. Crescent Wheels does not ask donors to guess the sale price up front. Instead, the final gross sale price is documented after the sale. Most importantly, 100-percent of the vehicle proceeds from your donation go to Heritage for the Blind, turning a car you no longer need into funding for a real charitable mission.
Proceeds fund Heritage for the Blind services
Heritage for the Blind uses vehicle donation proceeds to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. This includes helping individuals understand and connect with government assistance programs that may support health, housing, utilities, income, and daily stability. Programs may include SSI/SSDI, LIHEAP, Section 8, Medicare Extra Help, and Medicaid. Donors and community members who want to check benefit eligibility can visit nhftb.org/finder. Your donated vehicle helps Heritage continue providing guidance that can make complicated systems easier to navigate.
Receive the tax documentation you need
Because Heritage for the Blind is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, donations may be tax deductible for donors who itemize. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, the deduction is based on the gross vehicle sale price, and IRS Form 1098-C is provided for your records. Tax situations vary, so donors should speak with a qualified tax advisor about their specific return. Crescent Wheels focuses on making sure you receive the appropriate donation documentation after the vehicle is sold.
Key facts about car donation
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, serving blind and visually impaired Americans.
100-percent of vehicle sale proceeds from your Crescent Wheels donation go to Heritage for the Blind.
Free towing is available across Greater New Orleans, including Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and St. Tammany parishes.
For vehicles selling over $500, Heritage provides IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Itemizing donors can generally claim a charitable deduction for gifts to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits like Heritage.
Visit nhftb.org/finder to check eligibility for assistance programs Heritage helps people understand and access, including SSI, LIHEAP, and Medicaid.