How to Participate in Cartober 2026

Every October, nonprofits across the country participate in Cartober, a month-long campaign that raises awareness of vehicle donations and their impact. No matter how much or how little time your team has to spare, there's a participation level that's right for your organization. We've created three simple options so you can choose the approach that best fits your team's capacity and customize it to complement your existing fundraising efforts.

Choose Your Participation Level

Easy Drive

Perfect for: Organizations with limited staff time that still want to participate.

Your Commitment

• Attend the Cartober Partner Webinar
• Include a Cartober mention in one existing newsletter

Cruise Control

Perfect for: Organizations that can dedicate a little more time to donor outreach.

Your Commitment

• Attend the Cartober Partner Webinar
• Send one dedicated Cartober email
• Share 2–4 social media posts during October

Pedal to the Metal

Perfect for: Organizations that want to maximize awareness and donor engagement.

Your Commitment

• Attend the Cartober Partner Webinar
• Post on social media weekly throughout October
• Include Cartober in an existing newsletter
• Create a blog post, media pitch, donor story, or other awareness activity

Activity	Easy Drive	Cruise Control	Pedal to the Metal
Attend Partner Webinar	✓	✓	✓
Mention Cartober in Existing Newsletter	✓	✓	✓
Send Dedicated Cartober Email	—	✓	✓
Social Media Posts	—	2 posts during October	1 post per week throughout October
Blog Post, PR, or Additional Awareness Efforts	—	—	✓

For more info on specific webinar and campaign dates, check out our Cartober Campaign Timeline.

We've Done the Heavy Lifting

No matter which level you choose, we'll provide:

• Ready-to-use email templates
• Social media graphics and captions
• Newsletter copy
• Campaign messaging
• FAQs and talking points
• Ongoing support throughout the campaign

Many of these resources can be downloaded from the Promotional Materials page on Cartober.com, and the rest are located in the CARS Content Portal.

Your participation in the Cartober campaign helps raise awareness of how vehicle donations can fund your organization. In the past, partners like Canine Companions and Public Radio East found creative ways to let supporters know about how they can donate their vehicle during Cartober.

From a simple newsletter mention to a full-scale promotional effort, every action contributes to the success of Cartober. Select the participation level that works best for your organization, and join us in driving meaningful impact throughout October 2026.[