Carroll Shelby Foundation Continues Charitable Efforts

The Carroll Shelby Foundation (CSF) kept their foot firmly to the floor in 2020 by completing a number of donations and fundraising programs this year. The non-profit organization made several gifts and increased its annual commitments to charities such as Children’s Organ Transplant Association, Carroll Shelby Automotive Program, American Nurses Association and The Eli Home.

CSF was created in 1992 while retired racing driver and automaker Carroll Shelby was waiting for a heart transplant. The charity provides medical assistance for those in need, including children, as well as educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs.

“My grandfather, Carroll Shelby, refused to let tribulations sidetrack his efforts to help kids win the race for life,” said Aaron Shelby, co-President of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “While 2020 was filled with daunting obstacles, those societal hardships made our efforts even more critical. So just like Carroll, we never considered slowing our pace and hit the gas even harder.”

CSF has partnered with Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) since 2009. Over the past decade, the two organizations have continued to collaborate on programs that benefit the families of transplant patients. In 2020, the charity announced that it will donate a total of $150,000 to COTA’s Hope Fund over the next three years, which is a significant increase. The donation will help provide a safety net for families facing the financial and emotional challenges of raising a child who needs a life-saving transplant.

For the first time, the Carroll Shelby Foundation launched an initiative through Carroll Shelby’s Store to raise money for nurses on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic. A portion of the proceeds from the Shelby “We are Strong Together” t-shirt and decal benefitting the Coronavirus Response Fund for Nurses. The Foundation sent $9,600 to the American Nurses Association, which created this program to provide direct financial assistance to nurses who contract the virus.

Another key partner, The Eli Home, also received funds from the charity. The Eli Home operates two shelter facilities, two successful social enterprises, a walk-in counseling center, community youth job training initiative, corporate headquarters and a dedicated professional counseling and therapy staff.

“The Carroll Shelby Foundation has been a longtime supporter of The Eli Home,” said Neil Cummings, a founding Director with Carroll Shelby and co-President of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “We’ve provided support for their annual golf tournament, donated gifts to the kids during the holidays and participated in the Christmas tree program. We felt it was important to continue backing the charity given they traditionally raise most of their funds through events. This money will give kids and families the support they need in order to lead healthy, productive and prosperous lives.”

In addition, CSF continued its financial support of the Carroll Shelby Automotive Program in East Texas. The charity helps fund student scholarships and pay for educator salaries. The program includes a state-of-the-art facility and instruction in automotive and body repair.

The charity has supported non-profits with donations of items and promotional activities; those organizations include JDRF and Cruise for a Cure. The Shelby community has also rallied to support the Foundation’s mission by donating money and purchasing special items offered by Shelby American and CSF.

“Carroll always said that those in the car community are the most generous people in the world,” said Aaron Shelby. “For instance, fans have jumped on the new Shelby American ‘Carroll Shelby Signature Edition’ model Ford Shelby GT500 and GT350 cars, which includes a donation to the charity for each one purchased. We are almost sold out of our limited-edition holiday ornament from the Foundation and even sold a handful of items that were signed by Carroll years ago. Team Shelby members continue to donate money from their local fundraisers and enthusiasts worldwide have sent us donations throughout the year.”