Foundations Launch Cartober and Giving Tuesday Campaigns
The RCI-IIBEC Foundation and RCI Foundation Canada are once again working to advance research, education, and the future of the building enclosure industry. This fall, the foundations are asking individuals and companies to take part in two powerful giving opportunities: Cartober, a vehicle donation program specifically for members in the US, and Giving Tuesday on December 2, 2025.
Cartober: Turn Your Vehicle into a Gift That Lasts
Do you have a car, truck, or boat just taking up space? Cartober is the perfect time to put it to good use. Donating your vehicle is quick and free, and your donation directly supports the foundation’s mission.
Last year, Robby Cleere, RRC, RRO, donated his 2010 Ford Escape SUV to the foundation. “Donating my car was such an easy process. I knew with 220,000 miles it was time to say goodbye, but through the foundation it could drive real change. I’m glad to know my gift helps advance education and research for the benefit our entire industry.”
But donating does more than just clear a driveway. It fuels innovation by funding critical projects that help advance the building enclosure industry and the profession.
Giving Tuesday: One Day, Endless Impact
This year’s Giving Tuesday campaign focuses on strengthening the foundations’ general funds for research and education. These funds support publications such as Wind Uplift Pressures on Low-Slope Roofs (5th Edition), unit-price procurement research, and collaborative work with the Charles Pankow Foundation on spandrel glazing.
The goal for 2025 is ambitious, double the number of multiyear pledges and monthly recurring donations while raising $100,000 to sustain the foundations’ work. Currently, 27 companies, individuals, and organizations support the foundations with a multiyear pledge and gift. (One company makes a monthly reoccurring donation.)
Supporters across IIBEC are already setting an example. Tim Barrett, RRC, CDT, shared, “I value the work of the RCI-IIBEC Foundation…the many contributions it makes to education, the advancement of our industry, and the fellowship it fosters among IIBEC members. I also give to honor my friend Joe Hale, a past president and one of the foundation’s founders.”
Foundation leaders echo this commitment. Elizabeth Grant, PhD, noted, “I believe strongly in exposing students to the convention through the Joe Hale Student Sponsorship Fund, whether they end up becoming building enclosure consultants or not. All future practitioners in the built environment need to understand the fundamental importance of the building enclosure to their discipline. I also want to support unbiased research in the field, and ‘pay it forward’ from the multiple times the foundation has helped my colleagues and me execute our research projects.
“I do multiyear pledges because unlike reminders from my dentist’s office, it is handy to have a yearly reminder to make my donation to the foundation. It also reinforces my commitment to this organization and allows the board to plan for the future.
Julie Palmer shared, “Everything the foundation does, from research to publications and especially the student scholarships, is so important to raising the bar in our profession now and in the future. I am excited to engage in a multiyear pledge to demonstrate my unwavering support of that goal.”
How You Can Help
cartober.com/donate-now/rci-iibec-foundation-inc (US only)
RCI-IIBEC Foundation
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/2025-giving-tuesday-driving-change-fuel-the-future
RCI Foundation Canada
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/b3915e72-6ed7-49d3-bf68-4504ec8190ff
For more information or to make a pledge, contact Rick Gardner, RCI-IIBEC Foundation development officer, RGardner@ibec.org, phone 919-551-6227.
