The Shift Up Now Foundation is honored to announce that it raised $80,000 as part of a multifaceted fundraising effort during the month of September.
Most of the funds - approximately 80 percent - were raised during the inaugural, “Night with the Shift Up Now Foundation presented by PenFed Credit Union,” an in-person event featuring a silent auction. Held at Tom Wood Porsche during the IMSA race weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, attendees dressed up in their best blue for an unforgettable gathering of support for the Shift Up Now mission.
The remaining 20 percent of funds raised came from an online effort called, “25 for 25,” in which Lucas Oil matched the first $5,000 in donations, advancing the campaign to its first $10,000.
By reaching the total target of $80,000 for just its third year in existence, the Shift Up Now Foundation will be able to double the amount previously distributed to talented female racers during its first two years.
Funds raised from both events will go toward the 2025 Shift Up Now Foundation grants, which are used to award opportunities to 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.
Despite the widespread popularity of motorsport worldwide, female participation is significantly underrepresented. The Shift Up Now Foundation is committed to changing this narrative, and any contribution to this campaign is an investment in the future of female racers who are poised to make history.
"I’m thrilled that our first-ever Night with the Shift Up Now Foundation was a successful event, and that we were able to raise a serious amount of money to write grants for female racers in 2025,” said Shift Up Now Foundation Vice President Pippa Mann. “I’m so thankful to PenFed Credit Union, and James Schenck for backing our first-ever event as the presenting sponsor, and to James personally for making a matching donation that helped us meet our goal.
"We were thrilled to bring together so many businesses and people who support our goal of closing the funding gap for female racers. We also love how many local Indianapolis-owned and female-owned businesses stepped forward in support of our event.
"I also want to thank Lucas Oil for their matching donation in our online '25 for 25’ campaign, and all the race fans who took part - twenty-five dollars at a time - to help us raise more than $80,000 total. Online campaigns always feel like a marathon, but as always, our incredible supporters stepped forward, and collectively carried us across the finish line."
During the upcoming off-season, the Shift Up Now Foundation will be inviting female racers to apply for the grants, which if awarded, will be applied to their 2025 season.
In addition, plans are already in the works for the second-annual “Night with the Shift Up Now Foundation.” Details will be provided when available. In the meantime, event attendees can relive the incredible evening by exploring the photo gallery here.
Fundraising to provide opportunities for Shift Up Now Athletes will continue throughout the year. Anyone who would like to contribute to the mission and support talented female racers can donate at www.shiftupnow.org.
The Shift Up Now Foundation would like to thank all of our partners who helped us make both A Night with the Shift Up Now Foundation presented by PenFed, and our 25 for 25 Campaign a success.
