The Shift Up Now Foundation is thrilled to announce that its third-annual, in-person fundraising event - A Night with the Shift Up Now Foundation presented by PenFed Credit Union and Tom Wood Porsche - raised just over $150,000.
More than 150 guests showed up to the “blue tie” event Tom Wood Porsche Aviation Hangar in Fishers, IN, for an unforgettable evening. Surrounded by race cars and airplanes, guests were treated to amazing food, craft cocktails, and live dueling pianos.
As the featured guest, Loni Unser was in attendance with her Kellymoss teammate Ashley Freiberg and team owner Victoria Thomas. The No. 24 “Be Your Own Hero” Porsche Cayman GT4 RS was on display, and an autographed, wrapped hood from it was one of the most sought-after items of the night’s silent auction.
Other Shift Up Now Athletes in attendance included Sarah Montgomery, Hannah Grisham, Taylor Ferns (who also helped plan and execute the event), Charlotte Traynor, Emy Kissick, Madelyn Tabor, and Ella Martin. Other notable attendees included Michelle Squirek, one of the Mazda Motorsport shoot-out finalists, and German open wheel racer Sophia Florsch.
As the Shift Up Now Foundation celebrates its fourth anniversary, and the distinction of having written more than $750,000 in grants for talented female racers so far, it was only fitting for “A Night with the Shift Up Now Foundation” to kick off its Race to a Million campaign, with a goal of writing more than one million dollars in grants by November 2027.
On Saturday evening, more than 300 bids were placed across the silent auction lots, raising approximately $21,000. Key items, in addition to the autographed race car hood, included an NHRA VIP Experience donated by Melanie Johnson, diamond and blue topaz earrings donated by Master Jewelers, a bourbon tasting experience, and a signed 1:18 die cast IndyCar from Pippa Mann’s 2019 Indianapolis 500 campaign.
The silent auction, combined with ticket sals, event sponsorship, and the online Race to a Million campaign, raised more than $150,000 to fuel talented female racers in 2027. This total eclipsed the 2025 event, which raised $100,000, and the inaugural event in 2024, which raised just over $80,000.
The best part about the evening was its focused on the Shift Up Now mission: Providing opportunities to female racers believed to have the talent and aptitude to succeed in motorsports, giving them access to more competitive equipment, seat time for testing and practice, and resources to help grow their careers. To date, Shift Up Now Athletes have made full use of the help they’re being given, winning races, podiums, pole positions and championships.
Despite the 2026 event being over, the Race to a Million continues. Allies and supporters are encouraged to donate to the campaign online to help the Shift Up Now Foundation reach its goal. Donations can be made HERE.
