Start Fundraising for
Cowtown Brush Up

Follow these simple steps to launch your team’s fundraising page and reach your goal by September 1, 2025!

How to fundraise:

  1. Log into your account and click ‘Start Fundraising’.

  2. When asked ‘Are you fundraising for a registered charity?’, select ‘Yes, continue’.

  3. Search for the cause you want to support.

  4. Let us know whether you’re taking part in an event, celebrating an occasion, fundraising in memory or doing your own thing.

  5. If you can’t see your event listed, select ‘Add your own’ at the bottom of the page and tell us a bit more about your activity.

  6. Choose your web address – this is the link you’ll be sharing with friends and family when asking them to donate.

  7. Tick ‘Yes’ if you’re running a bake sale, or selling tickets to an event, raffle or auction. Donations to your Page won’t be eligible for Gift Aid. 

  8. Click ‘Create your page’.

A person holding a handful of coins with a torn piece of paper that says 'MAKE A CHANGE'.

Team Expectations for Cowtown Brush Up Fundraising

1. Fundraising Commitment

  • Set a Team Goal: Each team is encouraged to set a fundraising target that contributes to our overall campaign goal.

  • Deadline: All donations must be submitted by September 1, 2025.

  • Fundraising Page: Teams must create a fundraising page using the provided steps and share it with their networks.

2. Team Participation

  • Team Size: Each team should include 12 to 24 participants, ages 12 and up. Teams can be made up of coworkers, friends, families, or community groups.

  • Fundraising Engagement: Teams are encouraged to actively promote their fundraising efforts through social media, email campaigns, and community outreach to help us reach our collective goal.

  • Event Day Details: Teams will be assigned a home to paint and should plan to arrive at their designated site by 8:00 AM on Saturday, October 4th. All supplies and instructions will be provided on-site.

3. Communication & Check-Ins

  • Stay Connected: Teams will receive periodic updates and reminders leading up to the deadline.

  • Point of Contact: Each team should designate a Team Captain to receive communications and attend the Team Captain meeting on September 30th

4. Support & Resources

  • Want help promoting your Cowtown Brush Up campaign? Check out our CTBU Fundraising Toolkit— it includes ready-to-use templates and messaging to make your fundraising easy and effective.

  • Coaching & Help: Our team is available to answer questions and provide guidance throughout the process.

  • Recognition: Top fundraising teams will be recognized on our website and at the event!

FAQ

  • We accept almost all vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, farm equipment and construction equipment. If you want to donate your car or truck, please go to our donation wizard. If you want to donate any other type of vehicle, please call us at 1-877-277-4344.

  • Our partners at Advanced Remarketing Services return a higher percentage than any other vehicle processing entity. On a monthly basis, more than between 78% and 86% of the gross revenue generated from vehicle sales goes to Habitat for Humanity.

  • Your vehicle will be sold on behalf of Habitat through a national network of auctions and direct buyers. After the vehicle has been sold, you will receive an acknowledgement letter providing your vehicle sale information.

  • All the auctions and direct buyers used by Habitat are licensed, insured and bonded in the states where they operate. By signing the title directly to Advanced Remarketing Services, you are legally transferring ownership of your vehicle to Habitat for Humanity. When your title is received and your vehicle is picked up, you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.

    • About half of our cars are sold to licensed dealers at wholesale auctions and are reused for transportation. The other half are typically transported to auto salvage yards where all reusable car parts, batteries, tires and fluids are removed. Vehicles that can be recycled are crushed, shredded and recycled into steel.


    Recycling cars keeps a huge amount of steel out of landfills – enough to build nearly 45,000 steel-framed homes every year. The energy saved each year is enough to power approximately 18 million homes!


    Habitat receives funds for each donated vehicle, although a car sold at auction generally generates more revenue than one that is recycled. Every donation makes a difference and the families that partner with us are extremely grateful for your help.

    • Advanced Remarketing Services is our authorized agent and attorney-in-fact for the purpose of selling vehicles and transferring titles. They handle the title transfer, towing and reporting of all vehicle donations.


    Vehicle donations may be made online through the donation wizard or by calling 1-877-277-4344.

  • Yes. Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions, including vehicle donations, may be claimed as deductions on your federal tax return, if you itemize.

  • Once your vehicle is sold, the selling price determines the amount of your donation. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, you may deduct the full selling price. If your vehicle sells for $500 or less, you can deduct the “fair market value” of your vehicle, up to $500.

  • The following websites can help you calculate your vehicle’s fair market value.

  • Within 30 days of the sale of your vehicle, Habitat will send you a written acknowledgement/receipt. This receipt will include:

    The gross selling price of the vehicle, if it sold for greater than $500.

    Year, make, model and vehicle identification number information.

    A statement that the vehicle was sold at arms-length between two unrelated parties.

    A statement that no goods or services were received in return for your contribution.

  • You can learn more by reviewing the IRS documents below or by consulting with your tax adviser.