The CarMax Foundation

Disaster Relief

CarMax has established a Company-wide Disaster Relief Program to assist Associates and communities that are impacted by disasters.

The program is designed to:

  • Look for opportunities where CarMax and its Associates can assist local community organizations that are carrying out disaster relief in the areas impacted
  • Help Associates recover from personal hardships they face from a disaster

To date, more than $22,000 has been distributed to approximately 40 Associates in need through the Fund.

Following the devastating hurricane season of 2005, the CarMax Foundation reached out to those communities most affected by these storms through our grant programs.

American Red Cross

After Hurricane Katrina, the CarMax Foundation donated $10 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund in honor of each CarMax Associate, for a total of $115,300.

Matching Gifts

Through the Matching Gifts Program, Associates were able to make additional donations to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, as well as to other charitable organizations offering relief. A total of $250,000 in grants was awarded to hurricane relief-related causes through matching gifts.

Additionally, during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the CarMax Foundation doubled the match to organizations serving those hurricane victims.

Associate Disaster Relief Fund

When an emergency strikes, CarMax is there to take care of its own. It is clear that in times of natural disasters, our Associates have demonstrated their caring natures by generously donating to national organizations for disaster relief. This past year, in response to requests from Associates, the CarMax Associate Disaster Relief Fund was established with the Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia.

The fund provides assistance to CarMax Associates who have been directly impacted by a natural disaster or who have been seriously affected by an unexpected hardship. The fund may also provide disaster relief, recovery, and rebuilding grants to charitable organizations providing aid and assistance to communities where CarMax Associates live and work.

Donations

CarMax Associates may donate to the CarMax Associate Disaster Relief Fund through a direct payroll deduction or by making a charitable contribution. These donations continue to support those left devastated by similar disasters.

Associate Relief

All CarMax Associates are eligible to apply for assistance from the Associate Disaster Relief Fund.

Frequently asked questions

For questions concerning CarMax Disaster Relief, please refer to our FAQs.

Need quick access?

Contact us

The CarMax Foundation
12800 Tuckahoe Creek Parkway
Richmond, VA 23238

Email kmxfoundation@carmax.com

Phone (804) 747-0422

Stories of strength

Hurricane Rita community response

When Hurricane Rita hit Texas, CarMax had pre-deployed two semi trucks to the area with supplies, including water, baby formula, diapers, and snack foods. Since CarMax and its Associates were not affected by this storm, we called the Red Cross in Galveston and asked where we were needed. One truck and a team of CarMax volunteers headed to Galveston while the other truck and volunteer team went to the small town of Winnie, Texas.

Winnie had been hosting Hurricane Katrina evacuees for several weeks and supplies were needed at the shelter. Jack Hightower, Vice President of Sales, was there and said: "It was hard to tell who was more touched: the shelter residents who were grateful for our generosity, or the CarMax team members who were so affected by what they saw. You can see from their faces that it was a rewarding day."

Meanwhile in Galveston, our CarMax team arrived at the island via barge. The team reported that the Galveston residents just couldn't understand what CarMax was doing there. Not only did we not have a store in Galveston, but our truck beat the Red Cross to the island.