BREAKING NEWS: NASCAR Team Owner Gene Haas Donates Entire $1.8 Million Bonus and Endorsement Contract to Charities and Homelessness Support Organizations
April 20, 2025 – Charlotte, NC — In a remarkable act of generosity, NASCAR team owner and industrialist Gene Haas has announced that he is donating the entirety of his recent $1.8 million bonus and endorsement contract earnings to various charities, with a focus on organizations that support homelessness relief, youth empowerment, and veteran care across the United States.
The unexpected announcement came late Saturday evening through an official press release from Haas Automation and was later confirmed by a joint statement from Stewart-Haas Racing. According to the statement, Haas has already begun distributing the funds to select non-profits, including The National Alliance to End Homelessness, Covenant House, and the Gary Sinise Foundation, among others.
“I’ve been fortunate in business and in racing, and it’s time to give back in a meaningful way,” Haas said. “There are millions of people in this country who are struggling—people who’ve served our country, kids who never had a fair shot, and families trying to survive without a roof over their heads. If I can make even a small dent in those challenges, then this is money well spent.”
A Deepening Philanthropic Legacy
While Haas is best known in the public eye as the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing and founder of Haas Automation—the largest machine tool builder in the U.S.—his philanthropic legacy has been quietly growing behind the scenes for years. In addition to funding the Gene Haas Foundation, which primarily supports education in CNC machinist training and STEM programs, this latest donation marks a significant pivot toward direct social welfare and crisis response.
Industry insiders say the move comes at a time when the motorsports world is beginning to reflect more deeply on its social impact.
“Gene’s donation is a wake-up call to all of us,” said Tony Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing. “This isn’t about PR. He didn’t have to do this. He wanted to. That says a lot about who he is and what he stands for.”
Breakdown of the $1.8 Million Donation
According to representatives from Haas Automation, the donation is being split among several key initiatives:
- $500,000 to The National Alliance to End Homelessness, aimed at supporting housing-first programs and transitional shelters.
- $400,000 to Covenant House, which provides emergency shelter and long-term support to homeless youth across North America.
- $300,000 to the Gary Sinise Foundation, helping veterans who are homeless or in crisis find secure housing and job placement.
- $200,000 to local food banks and shelters in North Carolina and California—two key areas for the NASCAR and Haas business footprint.
- $400,000 to be distributed as micro-grants to grassroots community organizations that tackle housing insecurity and poverty.
The funds originate from Haas’s share of a recent NASCAR bonus pool, coupled with a personal endorsement contract signed earlier this year with an industrial automation consortium. Haas reportedly declined to renew the endorsement for personal profit, instead negotiating a one-time payout earmarked entirely for charitable causes.
Reactions Pour In from the Racing Community
News of Haas’s donation has been met with widespread praise from both inside and outside the racing world. Drivers, fans, and fellow team owners took to social media and press interviews to express admiration for the bold philanthropic move.
NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, who raced with Stewart-Haas Racing for over a decade, called the announcement “a testament to what racing should be all about—community, integrity, and heart.”
“I’ve worked with Gene for years,” said Harvick. “He’s a tough competitor and a brilliant businessman, but above all, he’s got a huge heart. This just proves it.”
A Challenge to Others?
Some are wondering if Haas’s move could spark a wider trend of high-profile figures in NASCAR and other professional sports stepping up their charitable commitments. Haas himself hopes so.
“If this motivates others to act—whether they’re donating money, time, or resources—then that’s a win,” he said. “The problems we’re facing won’t be solved overnight, but every bit of help counts.”
As the racing season continues, Haas’s decision sends a strong message about the power of sports figures using their platforms for good. With homelessness and housing insecurity reaching crisis levels in many parts of the country, his $1.8 million gesture might just inspire a broader shift in how success is measured—not just by checkered flags, but by the lives touched off the track.
