FLORIDA – The F&I Providers Relief Fund for F&I Managers raised more than $500,000 in only about a month – half of its $1 million fundraising goal – but the board is still looking for donors to meet the overwhelming need for financial assistance grants to F&I managers.

Though the Relief Fund board was committed to fundraising only within the F&I providers community, the group is considering opening fundraising to agents and other professionals simply to keep up with demand.

Only about three weeks after announcing a 7-member board of directors and $1 million fundraising goal, the F&I Providers Relief Fund for F&I Managers has raised $507,220 (as of May 19, 2020) from more than 40 F&I providers and industry leaders, and $444,500 has been awarded in financial assistance grants to F&I managers.

Despite the success in fundraising so far, grant requests keep pouring in, and the board is looking to raise more funds to keep up with demand.

Nearly 600 grant requests have been submitted since the charity launched in late April, and the board reviews requests daily to keep the award process moving quickly. Feedback from those not only receiving grants but simply requesting has been gracious to say the least. Some examples of comments for grant applicants include:

"Words cannot begin to express my gratitude for this grant. This grant will help me to continue to feed and take care of my family. I just can't believe it's true. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

“I can’t tell you enough how appreciative I am for your kindness as a group. We deal with money and sometimes large amounts but what your organization has granted will definitely help during these difficult times.”

“Thank you for considering me for the grant to help out in this tough time we are living in. Thanks for what you all are doing...means a lot!!”

“We are ecstatic over the generosity of our donors so far, and we have made such an impact on F&I managers and their families who have dealt with pay cuts or job loss during this difficult time,” says Tony Wanderon, National Auto Care CEO and F&I Providers Relief Fund founder.

“But we continue to see an overwhelming need for aid from these industry professionals. As of now, we have disabled the grant application portal on our website and have shifted our focus to processing existing grant requests and re-launching our fundraising campaign to make it to our $1 million goal.”

Though the Relief Fund board was committed to fundraising only within the F&I providers community, the group is considering opening fundraising to agents and other professionals simply to keep up with demand.

“Our applicants have faced serious hardships due to the financial impact of COVID-19. Their stories are heartbreaking, and the professionals who have been awarded grants are so grateful to be able to keep up with bills and keep food on the table for their families,” says Kelly Price, CEO of NAE/NWAN. Her existing 501(c)3 charity Changing Lives Foundation has handled the administration of the F&I Providers Relief Fund, ensuring grant applicants can receive funds tax-free.

“In order to continue the good work that we have already done, we have to continue fundraising,” adds Price.

The F&I Providers Relief Fund Board of Directors includes:

National Auto Care CEO Tony Wanderon, NAE/NWAN CEO Kelly Price, StoneEagle CEO Cindy Allen, VAS President Bill Breindel, Assurant Senior Vice President Daniel Lenczner, EasyCare/GWC Warranty President John Lee and Houlihan Lokey Managing Director Craig Tessimond.

F&I providers can visit the site to contribute to the fund and view a list of the companies that have contributed so far: https://www.changinglivesfound.org/fandiprovidersrelieffund.

About F&I Providers Relief Fund: Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by National Auto Care CEO Tony Wanderon, F&I Providers Relief Fund for F&I Managers offers financial assistance to F&I managers and their families during times of crisis and financial hardships. F&I managers are the backbone of our industry. We are pleased to support those professionals in their time of need, just as they have always supported our businesses.