How the car donation process works
You start the donation with Crescent Wheels
Tell Crescent Wheels about the vehicle you want to donate in Greater New Orleans, including the year, make, model, mileage, title status, and whether it runs. You do not need to clean it up, repair it, or make it auction-ready. Donors call from neighborhoods such as Gentilly, Lakeview, the Garden District, Marrero, Westwego, Slidell, and Mandeville with cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and other vehicles in many conditions. Your donation benefits Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, a qualified 501(c)(3) charity supporting blind and visually impaired Americans.
Free towing is scheduled around your location
After your donation is accepted, Crescent Wheels helps arrange free pickup at a convenient location, whether the vehicle is at your home, workplace, repair shop, storage lot, or family property. In the New Orleans area, towing availability can often cover both the city and surrounding suburbs across Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, and Plaquemines parish communities. You will receive instructions about the title and keys before pickup. The goal is to make the handoff simple, respectful, and low-stress, especially if the car has not moved in a while.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
Once the vehicle is picked up, it is evaluated for condition, mileage, age, market demand, drivability, and potential resale value. This assessment helps determine the most practical sale path. Crescent Wheels does not promise that every donated vehicle will be repaired, donated to a family, or sold the same way. Instead, each vehicle is routed toward the option expected to produce proceeds for Heritage for the Blind. That matters because sale proceeds are the charity revenue that helps fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Resalable vehicles usually go to auction
If your donated car runs or appears to be in resalable condition, it typically goes to a public or dealer auction. Auction buyers may include dealers, wholesalers, mechanics, or private buyers depending on the sale format. The purpose is straightforward: sell the vehicle efficiently and generate the strongest practical gross sale price. For New Orleans donors, this means a car that once sat unused in a driveway in Bywater, Broadmoor, Harahan, or Kenner can be converted into funding for Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446.
Non-running vehicles are often sold for salvage or parts
If the vehicle does not run, has very high mileage, has major damage, or would cost too much to prepare for resale, it typically goes to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That does not mean your donation has no value. Many older vehicles still create proceeds through usable parts, recyclable materials, or salvage demand. This route helps avoid unnecessary repair costs while still turning an unwanted car into revenue for Heritage for the Blind. Even a vehicle that cannot be driven can still support services for blind and visually impaired people.
You receive tax documentation after the sale
After the vehicle is sold, the gross sale price is used for your tax documentation. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, you receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale amount, which is generally the amount used for your charitable deduction. Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, so eligible donors may claim a deduction according to IRS rules. Keep your paperwork with your tax records and speak with a tax professional if you have questions about your specific situation.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available for accepted vehicle donations throughout Greater New Orleans and nearby suburbs.
Running, resalable vehicles typically go to public or dealer auction after pickup and assessment.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles typically sell to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, a 501(c)(3) charity.
For vehicles selling over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Heritage also connects people with benefit resources at nhftb.org/finder, including SSI and Medicare Extra Help.