How the car donation process works
You donate and schedule a free Grand Rapids Metro pickup
Start by telling River City Rides about your vehicle and where it is located. Free towing is available across Grand Rapids Metro, including Heritage Hill, Alger Heights, Creston, Eastown, Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, Grandville, and surrounding areas. You do not need to know whether the car is auction-ready, repairable, or better suited for parts. The pickup team collects basic information, helps arrange a convenient tow time, and provides pickup documentation. Your donation supports Heritage for the Blind, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
After the vehicle is picked up, it is evaluated for condition, mileage, drivability, market demand, and likely resale path. This assessment helps determine whether the donation should be sent to auction or sold through a salvage or parts channel. Donors often ask if vehicles are repaired first. In most cases, the practical question is whether repairs would reasonably increase the final sale return. The objective is not to keep the vehicle in storage; it is to convert it efficiently into revenue for Heritage for the Blind services.
Running, resalable vehicles typically go to auction
If your donated car runs, has a clear resale path, and is in a condition that buyers may compete for, it typically goes to a public or dealer auction. This can include older commuter cars, family SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and other vehicles with market value in the Grand Rapids area or broader resale market. Auction buyers set the final price through bidding. Once the sale is complete, the gross sale proceeds become revenue for Heritage for the Blind, helping fund programs for blind and visually impaired Americans.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may be sold for parts
Not every donated vehicle is a good auction candidate, and that is okay. Cars with major mechanical issues, accident damage, very high mileage, missing parts, or long periods of nonuse are typically sold to licensed salvage or parts buyers. This helps avoid unnecessary repair costs while still capturing value from usable components, metal, or recyclable materials. A vehicle that will not start in a driveway near Standale, Breton Village, or downtown Grand Rapids can still generate proceeds for Heritage for the Blind and support its mission.
Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind and you receive tax paperwork
After the vehicle is sold, the sale proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, as revenue to fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, your tax deduction is generally equal to the gross sale price, and you receive IRS Form 1098-C for your records. For vehicles sold for $500 or less, standard IRS vehicle-donation rules apply. Always keep your receipt and consult a tax professional if you have questions about your personal deduction.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available for donated vehicles throughout Grand Rapids Metro and nearby West Michigan communities.
Vehicles are assessed after pickup, not guessed at during your first donation call.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles typically go to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles selling over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.