Welcome to the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation®,
supporting the National Auto Body Council®
The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation®, a 501c3 organization, was founded in 2023 to provide support and assistance to families in need, military members, veterans and first responders. We deliver this through programs such as NABC® Recycled Rides®, NABC® First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) and NABC® Community Impact programs. In 2023, we have, through these programs, presented more than 200 vehicles to families, veterans and military members in need of reliable transportation and provided life-saving education on vehicle rescue techniques to more than 1,500 first responders.
As demand for NABC® programs like NABC® Recycled Rides® and NABC® F.R.E.E.™ grows, so do the needs for resources to manage these important programs. The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® allows us to pursue grants, gifts and donations, which enables us to expand these programs to serve those in need and help communities where we live and work. We hope you will join our cause to serve families in need, military members, veterans and first responders in communities like yours throughout the U.S.
About Us
The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® evolved from the National Auto Body Council, which was founded in 1995 as a trade association to serve the collision repair industry. The National Auto Body Council® will continue to serve the collision repair industry as the premiere organization and will be the parent organization for the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation®. Our fundraising initiatives and our key programs for families in need, veterans, military members and first responders will be housed under the foundation. Our other initiatives will remain under the 501(c)6.
Our Vision
Driving change for veterans, military members, first responders and families in need
Our Mission
Harnessing the power of the collective membership of the collision repair industry to positively impact communities where we live and work
Our Mantra
Changing and Saving Lives Every Day
Donate to Support Future NABC® F.R.E.E.™ Events
The NABC® First Responder Emergency Extrication™ Program helps saves lives by providing firefighters and first responders with rare opportunities to practice and hone their skills specifically on late model vehicles with lighter weight, high strength steels, sophisticated electronics and multiple airbag systems. Since the program was founded, together with our partners we have helped educate 6,000 first responders across the country.
Your direct support will allow fellow first responders to participate in future NABC® F.R.E.E.™ events across the country and help fulfill our mantra of Changing and Saving Lives Every Day.
Our Events
NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraisers
The National Auto Body Council® announced it will host three golf events in 2025 through the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation, making sponsorship and golf donations tax-deductible for companies and participants. It also will continue to offer the popular full-season sponsorship program, making it more affordable and more efficient to be a partner in the NABC® golf and gala events.
The 2025 NABC golf schedule includes:
NABC® Palm Springs Changing and Saving Lives Golf Event — January 21, 2025
Indian Wells Golf Resort, Indian Wells, CA
NABC® Lone Star Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraiser — May 1, 2025
Deer Creek Golf Club, Dallas, TX
NABC® Fall Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraiser — September 2025
Location to Be Announced
Second Annual NABC® Gala and 30th Anniversary Celebration “The Best is Yet to Come” Presented by Crash Champions
The National Auto Body Council announced the SECOND ANNUAL NABC® GALA and 30th Anniversary Celebration, themed “The Best Is Yet to Come”, Presented by Crash Champions. The event, scheduled in conjunction with Collision Industry Week, will be held Monday, January 20, 2025, at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, CA, with a golf opportunity to follow on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at Indian Wells Golf Club.
The second annual NABC® Gala Presented by Crash Champions will celebrate the collective accomplishments of the NABC® members, honor the NABC® President’s Award recipient and raise funds for the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation to continue serving veterans, military members, families in need and first responders in communities across the country.
For registration and sponsorship information, visit www.NABCgala.org
NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraisers
The National Auto Body Council® will host three golf fundraising events in 2024 through the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation®, allowing event sponsors and players to take advantage of the foundation’s 501c3 status. It also will continue to offer the popular full-season sponsorship program, making it more affordable and more efficient to be a partner in the NABC® golf events.
The NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraisers provide an opportunity to join industry colleagues and customers for great golf and support the NABC®! And, of course, there is the opportunity to win bragging rights on the course, great raffle prizes and auction items! Through the foundation, all proceeds will benefit families in need, military members, veterans and first responders, and help fulfill the mission of harnessing the power of the collective membership of the collision repair industry to positively impact communities across the country.
The season kicks off on January 16, 2024 with the return to desert – at a spectacular new course – the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort. The annual NABC® Day will include the NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraiser Presented by Hertz, a NABC® Recycled Rides® presentation prior to the shotgun start and the NABC® Day “Thank You” reception for the collision repair industry. The event helps support hundreds of NABC® Recycled Rides® car presentations to those in need, NABC® F.R.E.E.™ education programs for first responders, and as well as community impact programs
Learn more about upcoming events and sponsorship opportunities here.
Inaugural NABC® Ignite the Night Gala Presented by Caliber
The National Auto Body Council® announced registration is now open for the Inaugural NABC® Gala Presented by Caliber, themed “Ignite the Night”, scheduled for Wednesday, February 28, and Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, FL.
The Inaugural NABC® Gala Presented by Caliber will celebrate the collective accomplishments of the NABC® members, honor the NABC® President’s Award recipient and raise funds to continue serving veterans, military members, families in need and first responders in communities across the country.
The event will feature an opening-night fireworks show and the following evening host the gala reception, featuring a live performance by Jamestown Revival.
For registration and sponsorship information, visit www.NABCgala.org
The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® exists to promote a positive impression of and common interest in the automotive repair industry; to improve the quality of life of families in need, veterans, active-duty military, and first responders through support programs and donations; and to give back to enhance communities across the country. The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® is a public benefit corporation and is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes and other programs and projects as are described in §§ 170(c)(2)(B), 501(c)(3), 2055(a)(2), and 2522(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or corresponding provisions of any subsequent federal tax laws.
You can help the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® accomplish our mission with your donations, sponsorship and participation in our events. As a sponsor of the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation®, companies and individual donors can take pride in their support of providing reliable transportation to those in need and delivering life-saving training for first responders that makes everyone safer in the road, while earning a tax deduction for your support.
Interested in learning more? Please contact Debby Robinson at drobinson@nationalautobodycouncil.org or 312.505.4336.
