RICHMOND, Va. -

The CarMax Foundation has now given $10 million to nonprofits since its inception in 2003. In celebration of this milestone, the foundation announced it will now include wellness as one of its focuses.  

To kick off the celebration, the CarMax Foundation revealed it intends to double all volunteer team-builder grants from $500 to $1,000 for any associate groups participating in charity walks or runs during the next 12 months.

Officials recapped the volunteer team-builder program is geared to allow associate groups of five or more to volunteer with local nonprofits of their choice.

“Reaching the $10 million milestone is a great achievement as we continue to support wonderful organizations that are important to our associates and make positive impacts in our communities,” explained Lynn Mussatt, president of the CarMax Foundation and vice president of business operations.

“CarMax teams are regularly participating in charity walks and run events across the country,” Mussatt insisted. “We expect the doubled team-builder grant will be an opportunity for the CarMax Foundation to give back in a big way to organizations important to our associates.”

The company went on to mention this new wellness initiative goes hand in hand with CarMax’s culture of supporting associates as they make healthy lifestyle choices.

The CarMax Foundation is a supporter of nonprofit programs focused on education and youth leadership and now plans to provide grants to charities focused on wellness, nutrition and health awareness.

“We care about the health of our associates and are focused on offering a variety of wellness programs that support associate choices and lifestyle changes that lead to better health,” explained Tom Folliard, CarMax president and chief executive officer.

“We are excited that our foundation is now supporting the health of both our associates and our communities with its mission and grant programs,” Folliard added.

The CarMax Foundation was started in 2003 and has created numerous grant programs that support nonprofits in communities throughout the country.

In addition to several charity grant programs that serve the company’s 51 markets, officials noted there are personal contribution options that allow associates to have donations taken directly from their paychecks and have their donations and volunteer hours matched by the CarMax Foundation.

Officials stressed the volunteer team-builder program has grown dramatically since 2003 with more than 250 volunteer projects completed already this year.