How the car donation process works
Start with the title you have
The easiest donation is a vehicle with a clean title in the donor’s name, but do not stop there if your paperwork is complicated. Indy Car Connect can help you review the situation before pickup. Indiana titles, out-of-state titles, older titles, and replacement-title scenarios may all be workable. Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, can guide you on what your state typically requires if the title is missing or needs correction. The key is to call first so the team can confirm what is needed before scheduling your free tow.
If the title is lost, ask before you replace it
A lost title does not automatically mean you cannot donate. In many cases, the donor may need to request a duplicate title from the state that issued it, but requirements vary. If your car was titled in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, or another state, Heritage for the Blind can help you understand the right path. Some vehicles without titles can still be accepted depending on age, state rules, and available ownership documents. Before making a DMV or BMV trip, call Indy Car Connect and explain what paperwork you still have.
Clear any lien before donation
If a lender, bank, credit union, or finance company is listed on the title, the lien must be satisfied before the vehicle can be donated. That usually means paying off the loan or contacting the lender to release the title. A lien release may be a separate document or reflected on a corrected title, depending on the state. The donation cannot be completed if the lender still has a legal interest in the vehicle. If you are unsure whether a lien is active, Indy Car Connect can help you identify what to ask your lender before pickup.
Handle family-name or estate situations carefully
If the title is in a deceased spouse’s, parent’s, or relative’s name, extra paperwork may be needed before donation. Depending on the state and the estate situation, you may need probate documents, small-estate paperwork, a death certificate, an affidavit of heirship, or other proof that you have authority to sign. These rules vary, so it is best to call before scheduling pickup. Heritage for the Blind can help you understand the general title-transfer path, while you confirm any legal estate requirements that apply to your specific family situation.
Sign the title over at pickup
When your free tow is scheduled in the Indianapolis area, the tow driver will bring the pickup paperwork. At pickup, the title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind, not to the driver personally. The team will tell you where to sign, and you should avoid filling in fields you are unsure about until you receive instructions. After the handoff, a DMV or BMV visit is typically not required for the donor, though you should follow any state-specific license plate or insurance cancellation rules that apply to you.
Receive your donation documentation
After the vehicle is picked up and processed, you receive documentation for your records. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C, as required. Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446, and your donation may be tax-deductible as allowed by law. Keep your title paperwork, pickup receipt, and any 1098-C with your tax records. If you also need help finding benefit programs, visit nhftb.org/finder to check connections to SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and more.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available throughout Indianapolis and the broader Indy Metro area.
A clean title is preferred, but some lost-title situations can be guided.
Any lien must be released before the vehicle can be donated.
Out-of-state titles are accepted when ownership can be properly transferred.
At pickup, the title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind.
IRS Form 1098-C is provided for vehicles that sell for more than $500.