How the car donation process works
You start with a simple Kansas donation request
You provide basic information about your car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, or other accepted vehicle, including the year, make, model, mileage, condition, title status, and location. Sunflower Autos helps donors across Kansas, including Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Topeka, Olathe, Lawrence, Manhattan, Lenexa, and surrounding communities. You do not need to guess whether your vehicle is “good enough.” Running, non-running, older, high-mileage, and damaged vehicles can often be considered. Once your donation is started, pickup is arranged at no cost to you.
Your vehicle is picked up with free towing
After your donation is accepted, a licensed towing provider contacts you to schedule a convenient pickup time. The vehicle can often be picked up from your home, workplace, repair shop, storage lot, or another accessible location in Kansas. You will receive pickup instructions, including what to do with the keys and title. The tow is free, so you do not pay to move a car that no longer fits your life. This step gets the vehicle out of your driveway and into the evaluation process.
The vehicle is assessed after pickup
Once the vehicle is collected, it is reviewed for condition, mileage, drivability, age, market demand, and repair or resale potential. This assessment helps determine the best sales path. A clean, running vehicle in resalable condition is handled differently than a non-running car with major mechanical problems or body damage. The goal is not to create extra work for you. It is to place the vehicle where it can generate the strongest practical sale proceeds for Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446.
Most resalable vehicles go to auction
Running vehicles, newer vehicles, and cars that are likely to attract buyers are typically sent to a public or dealer auction. At auction, buyers compete based on the vehicle’s condition and market value. In some cases, a buyer may repair it, resell it, or use it personally or commercially. Sunflower Autos cannot promise that a donated car will go to a specific person or family, but auction placement is often the best way to convert a resalable Kansas vehicle into funding for Heritage for the Blind services.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may be sold for parts
If a vehicle is not practical to resell as transportation, it is typically directed to licensed salvage or parts buyers. This may include cars with severe mechanical failure, collision damage, missing components, very high mileage, or age-related issues. That does not mean the donation has no value. Parts, scrap, and salvage buyers can still purchase the vehicle, and those proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind. Even a car that will never run again can help support programs for blind and visually impaired Americans.
Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind services
After the vehicle is sold, the sale proceeds are directed to Heritage for the Blind, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446. These proceeds are revenue that helps fund services and resources for people who are blind or visually impaired. Heritage also helps people explore benefit programs and support options, including SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and related assistance. Donors who want to check benefit eligibility for themselves or someone they know can visit nhftb.org/finder.
Key facts about car donation
Kansas vehicle pickup is free, whether your car is running, non-running, old, or high-mileage.
Vehicles are assessed after pickup to choose the most practical resale, auction, salvage, or parts path.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction.
Non-running or severely worn vehicles typically go to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Sale proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles sold over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.