The Cars N Kids Foundation: GLVADA’s Philanthropic Impact
The Auto Dealers “Cars N Kids Foundation” – Because We CARe is the philanthropic arm of GLVADA, the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth in the communities where our dealer members live and work.
Since GLVADA’s inception in 1996, we’ve been committed to giving back. Over the past nine years alone, we’ve donated more than $1.9 million to local charities, organizations, and educational institutions — averaging over $150,000 per year.
Our initiatives range from hosting Children’s Christmas Luncheons filled with music, food, gifts, and festive characters like Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, and Frosty — bringing joy to hundreds of children and families — to supporting students through our Scholarship Program and Automotive Technician Competition, helping shape the future of the automotive industry.
Our dealers are not only invested in their businesses — they’re deeply invested in their communities, consistently demonstrating a shared commitment to making a positive impact.
GLVADA Community Impact Grant Program
Overview
The Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association (GLVADA) represents 63 franchised new auto dealerships across 92 franchises and is proud to fuel meaningful change throughout the region. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Automotive Association Foundation, and through proceeds from our Auto Show and Gala, we fund impactful nonprofit work that serves children, youth, and automotive education.
We’re excited to launch a unified grant process that brings together our traditional annual charitable contributions and our Gala beneficiary program into one streamlined initiative. Multiple grant recipients will be selected and honored at our annual GLVADA Community Gala in March.
As part of the grant award process, all organizations selected to receive funding from GLVADA are required to participate in the annual GLVADA Gala, where grant checks will be presented.
Each grantee organization must purchase one table with six (6) seats at the event for a fee of $500.00. These seats may be used by members of your organization or resold at your discretion to recoup the cost.
Attendance at the Gala is an important part of our effort to publicly recognize and celebrate the work of our grant recipients, while also supporting the fundraising goals of the evening.
How It Works
Each selected nonprofit is guaranteed a grant. The amount awarded is influenced by the number of Gala tickets sold by that organization:
- $10,000 – Top-selling organization
- $5,000 – Second place
- $2,500 – Third place
- Additional grant amounts will be awarded based on committee review and funding availability.
Organizations will be notified of their selection in November, giving them ample time to participate in Gala promotion and ticket sales, which begin at the time of notification.
What We Fund
GLVADA supports programs and services that:
- Are provided by IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Serve children and youth
- Promote automotive education and training
We do not fund:
- Individuals
- Political, religious, labor, fraternal, or discriminatory organizations
- Capital campaigns or maintenance
- Travel, endowments, or memorials
How to Apply
Submit your complete application by August 31 to:
Dan Moyer
Executive Director
Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association
1655 Victoria Circle
Allentown, PA 18103
📞 610-972-5496
📧 dmoyer2@ptd.net
Include the following:
- Organization and contact info (address, website, phone, email)
- IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
- Mission, background, and current initiatives
- Board list with professional affiliations
- Grant request amount and description of use
- Population served and community need
- Timeline, goals, and measurable outcomes
- Plan for promoting Gala ticket sales
- Audience reach and engagement strategy
- Availability to provide volunteers at the Gala
- Vehicle fleet info and any dealer/manufacturer affiliations
- Recognition opportunities for GLVADA
Recipient Expectations
Selected organizations will:
- Actively promote and sell tickets to the GLVADA Gala
- Attend and provide volunteers at the Gala
- Submit a follow-up report on the grant’s impact
- Provide content for GLVADA communications (newsletter, social media)
- Attend a future GLVADA board or membership meeting to share outcomes
Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Application Deadline | August 31 |
| Recipients Selected & Notified | November |
| Ticket Sales Begin | November |
| Gala Event & Check Presentation | March (Date TBD) |
Past Beneficiaries Include
- Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley
- Camelot for Children
- Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley
- Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton
- Love Ran Red Foundation / Duke’s Delights
- Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital
- Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network
- Da Vinci Science Center
- Andre Reed Foundation
- Children’s Home of Easton
- And more!