How the car donation process works
Start with the 2-minute form or a quick call
Begin by completing the short Big Sky Rides online donation form, which usually takes about two minutes, or call Heritage for the Blind directly. You will be asked for basic contact information, the vehicle’s year, make, model, general condition, mileage if known, and where the vehicle is located in Montana. It is okay if the car does not run or has been sitting for a while. The goal at this stage is simply to confirm the vehicle details and make it easy for a coordinator to arrange your free pickup.
A coordinator calls back to schedule free pickup
After you submit the form or call, a donation coordinator typically calls back within 1 to 2 business hours. They will review your vehicle information, answer questions, and help choose a pickup window that works for you. Pickup is free, whether the vehicle is at your home, an apartment lot, a repair shop, a storage area, or another accessible location. Donors in larger Montana areas such as Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, and Kalispell can often schedule quickly, while remote routes may need a little extra coordination.
Prepare your title and remove personal items
Before the tow truck arrives, take a few simple steps. Remove personal belongings from the glove box, trunk, center console, and under the seats. If you have license plates, follow Montana Motor Vehicle Division guidance on whether to remove or retain them for your situation. Most importantly, have the vehicle title ready, because you will sign the title over at pickup. If you have questions about where to sign, ask the coordinator or driver before writing on the title so the transfer is completed correctly.
A licensed tow truck picks up the vehicle
In most Montana metro areas, a licensed tow truck can arrive the same day or the next business day, depending on availability and your schedule. The driver will come to the location you provided, verify the vehicle, collect the signed title, and tow it away at no cost to you. You do not need to get the car running, wash it, repair it, or move it far as long as it is reasonably accessible. Big Sky Rides is designed to remove the hassle from donating a vehicle.
The vehicle is sold through auction or parts resale
After pickup, the vehicle is transported to an auction or, when appropriate, to a parts reseller. The sales path depends on the vehicle’s condition, age, demand, and local market factors. You do not need to negotiate with buyers, meet strangers, place online ads, or handle salvage questions. Once the vehicle sells, the proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Your tax receipt is mailed after the sale
After the donated vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails your tax documentation. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, you receive IRS Form 1098-C. For vehicles that sell for $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment. The full donation timeline is typically 2 to 6 weeks from first contact to mailed tax receipt, depending on pickup timing, sale timing, and mail delivery. Keep the receipt with your tax records, and speak with a tax professional if you have deduction questions.
Key facts about car donation
There is no cost to donate your car through Big Sky Rides, including towing and pickup.
Coordinators usually call back within 1 to 2 business hours after your form or phone request.
Same-day or next-business-day pickup is often available in Montana metro areas when schedules allow.
You sign the vehicle title over at pickup, so have the title ready before the driver arrives.
Heritage for the Blind mails Form 1098-C for vehicles sold for more than $500.
The full process usually takes 2 to 6 weeks from donation request to mailed tax receipt.