America's Automotive Trust

What America's Automotive Trust does

America's Automotive Trust (AAT) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, that serves as the umbrella entity for four automotive heritage preservation brands: LeMay – America's Car Museum (a 150,000+ square foot facility housing 300+ historically significant vehicles), the RPM Foundation (apprenticeships, mentorships, and the Great Race X-Cup youth restoration program), Club Auto (a nationwide driving club for enthusiasts), and Concours Club (a philanthropic membership organization for high-net-worth supporters). The Trust orchestrates an integrated "classroom-to-careers-to-open-road" pipeline, layered with reciprocal museum access through the ROAM (350+ museums) and NARM (1,000+ institutions) networks.

AAT operates through an event- and community-led go-to-market model. Revenue is generated from four primary streams: tiered individual memberships ($60 Individual to $600 Gold), tax-deductible charitable donations, ticket sales for signature events (Wheels & Heels Gala, Cars & Cigars, Wine & Wheels, Soiree Scottsdale, The Drive Home cross-country convoy), and a multi-tier corporate sponsorship program ranging from $1,200 Provider level to $3,000,000+ Presenting Sponsors. Distribution is anchored by the physical museum in Tacoma, supplemented by annual national events, an award-winning OpenRoad magazine, the State Farm-presented Fuel for the Future podcast, and the monthly En Route newsletter.

The organization's customer base spans automotive enthusiasts and collectors, youth and students pursuing restoration careers, and corporate sponsors seeking alignment with automotive heritage. In late 2025, AAT underwent a leadership transition with former General Motors Vice President Joe Jacuzzi succeeding founder David Madeira as CEO effective January 2026, coinciding with the appointment of Bruce Patton as VP of Curation and Education and the launch of Drive Home VII — a Route 66 Centennial partnership with the Detroit Auto Show designated an Official Route 66 Centennial Project by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission.

Name

America's Automotive Trust

Legal name

America's Automotive Trust

Website

https://americasautomotivetrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

America's Automotive Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that operates LeMay – America's Car Museum, the RPM Foundation (restoration education), Club Auto, and Concours Club to preserve America's automotive heritage through museum curation, youth training, enthusiast events, and corporate sponsorship programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Museum & Heritage Preservation

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Automotive heritage preservation
• Car museum operations
• Vehicle restoration education
• Classic car events
• Automotive membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting automotive heritage preservation mission.
2. Membership Programs: Annual membership tiers including Individual ($60), Family ($120), Silver ($300), and Gold ($600) providing museum access, event invitations, discounts, and reciprocal museum benefits.
3. Event Revenue: Ticket sales for signature events including Wheels & Heels Gala, Cars & Cigars, Wine & Wheels, and Soiree Scottsdale. Event sponsorship opportunities at various tiers from Presenting ($3,000,000+) to Provider ($1,200-$9,999).
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship opportunities at multiple levels including Presenting Sponsors ($3,000,000+), Sustaining Partners ($1,000,000+), Official Providers ($100,000+), Preferred Providers ($10,000), and Providers ($1,200-$9,999).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

America's Automotive Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit umbrella organization headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, that preserves America's automotive heritage through four operating entities: LeMay – America's Car Museum (a 150,000+ sq ft facility housing 300+ vehicles), the RPM Foundation (youth-oriented restoration education), Club Auto (a national driving club), and Concours Club (philanthropic membership program). The Trust delivers museum exhibitions, signature events, member driving experiences, educational programming, and a podcast to automotive enthusiasts and collectors.

Product overview

America's Automotive Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as an umbrella organization bringing together multiple automotive preservation entities under one structure. The Trust operates as a platform-plus-affiliates model with four founding member organizations: LeMay – America's Car Museum (the flagship 150,000+ sq ft museum housing 300+ vehicles in Tacoma, WA), RPM Foundation (providing automotive restoration apprenticeships and the Great Race X-Cup youth education program), Club Auto (nationwide driving club with exclusive events), and Concours Club (philanthropic membership organization). These core entities are supported by membership programs at four tiers ($60–$600 annually) offering museum access, reciprocal benefits through ROAM and NARM networks, and discounts. The Trust also produces signature events including The Drive Home annual cross-country drive, Wheels & Heels Gala, Cars & Cigars, Wine & Wheels, and Soiree Scottsdale. Media offerings include the Fuel for the Future podcast and OpenRoad magazine. Corporate sponsorship programs range from $1,200 Provider level to $3,000,000+ Presenting Sponsors. The organization was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Tacoma, Washington.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LeMay – America's Car Museum A 150,000+ sq ft museum in Tacoma, Washington housing 300+ vehicles spanning more than a century of automotive design, with rotating exhibitions open to the general public.
• RPM Foundation A foundation dedicated to raising public awareness of the collector vehicle hobby and developing the next generation of automotive restoration craftsmen through hands-on student education programs.
• Club Auto A nationwide driving club providing members with curated automotive experiences, events, and trips tied to the broader museum and heritage mission.
• Concours Club A philanthropic membership program supporting the Trust's mission and offering members exclusive engagement with the automotive heritage community.
• ACM Membership Program Annual membership tiers (Individual, Family, Silver and Gold) that provide free museum admission for a year, subscription to OpenRoad magazine, discounts at the museum store and Wheels Café, guest passes, invitations to members-only events, and reciprocal admission to more than 350 ROAM museums and 1,000+ NARM museums.
• Wheels & Heels Gala Signature annual fundraising gala hosted by the Trust featuring automotive-themed entertainment and proceeds benefiting the Trust's mission.
• Cars & Cigars Signature automotive-themed social event hosted by the Trust for enthusiasts and supporters.
• Wine & Wheels Signature event combining premium wine tasting with automotive heritage experiences for members and supporters.
• Soiree Scottsdale Signature event held in Scottsdale, Arizona in conjunction with Arizona Auction Week, extending the Trust's reach into the national collector-car market.
• Fuel for the Future Podcast Podcast produced by the Trust covering automotive heritage, preservation, and the stories behind notable vehicles and collectors.
• The Drive Home Curated driving experience program offered by the Trust, providing participants with memorable road journeys tied to automotive heritage.
• OpenRoad Magazine Quarterly publication of America's Automotive Trust distributed to members, covering automotive heritage, museum events, and collector stories.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Structured sponsorship program offering businesses brand exposure through Trust events, publications, and on-site recognition at the museum.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $50,000 raised and $60,000+ in grants/scholarships awarded through RPM Foundation's 2025 Great Race X-Cup
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting, flagship, presenting and affiliate.

• Hagerty Drivers FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2026Supported The Drive Home VII Route 66 centennial journey, contributing to the mission of celebrating and preserving America's automotive heritage through historic vehicle drives.
• Booking.comsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2026Travel partner supporting The Drive Home VII participants with accommodation arrangements along the Route 66 journey.
• Plycar TransportationsupportingOthers · 3 January 2026Vehicle transportation partner supporting logistics for The Drive Home Route 66 centennial drive events.
• Ambassador Wines of WashingtonsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2026Wine partner providing support for AAT events and programs, with Chairman Michael Towers serving on AAT's Board of Directors.
• Only In Your StatesupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2026Media partner covering Route 66 centennial events and The Drive Home journey, providing editorial coverage and visibility for AAT activities.
• Lucky Kraken Production CompanysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2026Production company filming Endangered Skills docu-series at LaVine Restorations, showcasing automotive restoration techniques for educational purposes through RPM Foundation.
• Detroit Auto ShowflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2025AAT partnered with the Detroit Auto Show to host the Route 66 Centennial Exhibition featuring vehicles from The Drive Home VII at Huntington Place (January 14-25, 2026), showcasing nine classic and modern vehicles representing distinct eras of automotive design.
• Route 66 Road Ahead PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2025Collaborative partnership for The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure, celebrating the centennial of Route 66 with cross-country driving events and community engagement along the historic highway.
• State FarmpresentingGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 December 2025Presenting sponsor for the Fuel for the Future podcast and major supporter of The Drive Home Route 66 centennial activities, providing brand visibility across AAT's media platforms and events.
• Steve Saleen/Saleen AutomotivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 October 2025Automotive legend Steve Saleen guest-curated The Birth of the American Supercar display at LeMay – America's Car Museum and appeared on Fuel for the Future podcast. Steve Saleen serves on AAT's Board of Directors.
• America On Wheels MuseumaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization of America's Automotive Trust, providing reciprocal programming and community connection for automotive heritage enthusiasts.
• DirtFishaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization of America's Automotive Trust, providing rally driving experiences and automotive education with founder Steve Rimmer on AAT's Board.
• Great RaceaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization supporting AAT's educational mission through the RPM Foundation's X-Cup division and cross-country driving events.
• Gilmore Car MuseumaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate museum in Hickory Corners, MI offering reciprocal benefits to AAT family-level members, part of the automotive heritage preservation network.
• Hilton Head Island Concours d'EleganceaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization supporting automotive excellence and preservation, with mutual event participation and programming connections.
• The NB Center for American Automotive HeritageaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization founded by Keith Flickinger, with Keith serving on AAT's Board of Directors and recipient of the 2025 Nicola Bulgari Award.
• Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization with Chairman Sandra Button serving on AAT's Board, representing premier automotive excellence in Monterey, California.
• ROAM (Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal membership network providing AAT family-level members access to over 350 museums nationwide, expanding the value of membership beyond LeMay – America's Car Museum.
• NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal museum network providing AAT members access to over 1,000 museums and cultural institutions across North America.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Automobile Museum: The National Automobile Museum (The Harrah Collection) in Reno, NV is a directly comparable nonprofit automotive museum housing more than 200 historic vehicles, operating rotating exhibits, membership programs, and educational outreach with a similar structure to LeMay – America's Car Museum.
• Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum: The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Indiana is a nonprofit automotive heritage museum preserving classic American cars in a historic facility, with a comparable donation/membership revenue mix, educational programming, and concours-style event calendar to AAT entities.
• America On Wheels Museum: America On Wheels Museum in Allentown, PA is a directly comparable nonprofit automotive heritage museum (and AAT affiliate) preserving transportation history through vehicle collections, exhibits, and educational programming with a similar membership and event-driven revenue model.
• NB Center for American Automotive Heritage: The NB Center is a directly comparable nonprofit automotive heritage organization (AAT affiliate) whose founder/curator Keith Flickinger sits on AAT's Board; it operates a vehicle collection, restoration facility, and exhibition programming with similar mission focus to AAT.
• Gilmore Car Museum: Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, MI is a directly comparable nonprofit automotive museum operating as an AAT affiliate with reciprocal membership benefits, offering a multi-building campus of vintage vehicle collections and educational programming for enthusiast visitors.
• Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum: The Simeone Foundation in Philadelphia operates as a nonprofit automotive museum focused on racing and sports cars, with a comparable mission of preserving, restoring, and demonstrating historically significant vehicles, similar donor/membership model, and educational exhibition programming to AAT.
• Petersen Automotive Museum: The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is one of the largest automotive museums in the U.S., operating a comparable membership-driven model, rotating exhibitions of historic and collector vehicles, educational programming, and a high-end gala/fundraiser event business directly comparable to AAT's LeMay – America's Car Museum entity.
• Lane Motor Museum: Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN is a nonprofit automotive museum featuring one of the largest European collections in the U.S., comparable to AAT in operating model—membership dues, special exhibitions, school programs, and private event rentals from a single facility.
• AACA Museum: The AACA Museum in Hershey, PA is operated by the Antique Automobile Club of America as a nonprofit automotive heritage museum featuring vintage vehicles, membership-based community programs, and educational events directly parallel to AAT's mission and operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Hagerty: Hagerty is a broad incumbent in the collector-car ecosystem—operating media, insurance, valuation, events (Concours, Cars & Coffee), and the Hagerty Drivers Foundation—overlapping with AAT's enthusiast-media, event, and sponsorship dimensions while serving the same collector demographic at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/americasautomotivetrust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about America's Automotive Trust