Written by: Heather Hunter, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Synergize
Between car payments, gas, insurance, and repairs, the costs of owning a car quickly add up. For those who can’t afford the price, going somewhere as simple as work or the grocery store can be a struggle – not to mention longer drives to visit family or access a wider range of resources.
Victor Figlin, general manager at Indy Auto Man (IAM), and his team serve this need in Indianapolis through the IAM 4 Indy program. For the program, IAM repairs and improves donated cars before gifting them to a person or family in need. “As immigrants, this community helped us, so we want to help them back,” says Victor, who manages IAM alongside his cousin, Eugene. Both are originally from Russia.
In the two years since IAM has started IAM 4 Indy, they’ve donated refurbished cars to eleven recipients. Now, as long as they have enough cars and applicants, IAM plans to up the number by donating one car per month.
To make eligibility easy, the IAM 4 Indy application is only four questions long. There are a few technical requirements, too, which are clearly displayed on IAM’s website. Their past beneficiaries include people of all ages and all walks of life, but who share IAM’s values: initiative, honesty, hard work, continued education, self-motivation, and a passion for paying it forward.
To find more applicants, IAM is partnering with Synergize for the latter’s 2021 ROI (Ripple of Impact) initiative. As a professional group that emphasizes two pillars – lifelong relationships and lasting community impact – Synergize is a perfect partner for IAM 4 Indy, says Victor. “People will impact their community upon getting a car from us – that’s the whole goal of this program. It aligns so well with Ripple of Impact because the person we help, helps multiple people.”
The Ripple of Impact initiative is Synergize’s commitment to redefine ROI. “We’d rather invest in our friends and our community than invest in our own gain, and that ties us all together,” says Heather Hunter, Marketing and Communications Coordinator. “We’re thrilled that Indy Auto Man partnered with us, and we’re already working to help find and nominate candidates for cars.”
Victor, a member of Synergize himself, hopes that Synergize will provide IAM 4 Indy with car donations and invite applicants. They’ve also partnered with Circle City Success Podcast, co-hosted by two more Synergize members, to spread awareness of the program. They’ll interview people who get the cars. He thinks their listeners are a group that will reach aspiring professionals who need cars, plus those who can appreciate providing an impact in the life of someone they know.
To get involved, you can donate a used car for the program, nominate a member, or help someone fill out the application questions. You can also shop and point your friends towards Indy Auto man. “Every sale makes it easier to continue this program because the vehicles are not the cheapest thing to give away. We’re supporting the community, but if the community supports us back, it’s easier to make those ripples.”
Victor also urges people to shop locally, whenever they can. Businesses like IAM and other members of Synergize, he says, are investors in our community where most global companies are not. Plus, Synergize’s ROI partners each directly impact the community through either funds or services. “We [IAM] have a built-in donation to support the community,” he says. “If I spend $100 at Bespoke Initiative [another Synergize member], $5 goes to charity. And if I spend $100 at Amazon, nothing goes to charity. Try to think about how to stretch your dollar within our community.”
With help from Synergize and the Carmel community, IAM is ready to make a difference. “It’s not the cars that we’re giving away. We’re giving away opportunities for people to get a job, to achieve what they set their mind on,” says Victor. “The most exciting thing to me is to imagine those moments for people, ones they would never get to experience without a car.”
To apply or nominate an applicant, visit: https://mailchi.mp/35ce019553b7/indy-auto-man-roi
About Indy Auto Man
Established in 2008, Indy Auto Man is an Indianapolis car dealership that is focused on removing the stigma associated with used car sales by providing an efficient, transparent, and customer-focused car buying experience that is backed with a 30-day price match and a 7-day exchange guarantee.
With 300+ used cars, trucks, and SUVs in stock, Indy Auto Man is proud to offer a wide, reasonably-priced car inventory in Indianapolis. When you shop with us, part of the profits is invested back into the community to support local families via the IAM 4 INDY vehicle donation program. Visit Indy Auto Man: https://www.indyautoman.com