Bradenton auto dealer's foundation gives nonprofit $1M for community center

The philanthropic arm of Bradenton-based auto dealer Gettel Automotive — the Gettel Foundation — has made a $1 million donation to a local nonprofit. 

Funding will go toward building a career and community center at The Haven, which aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through offerings from residential and educational services to day programs focused on community integration and skill development, according to a statement. When it is built, the new center will sit at the heart of the organization’s 32-acre campus on DeSoto Road.

“The Haven plays an essential role in our community, and we are honored to support a project that will have a lasting impact on so many lives,” James Gettel, president of Gettel Automotive Group and trustee of the Gettel Foundation, says in the statement. “We believe this community center will serve as a place of connection, growth and safety for years to come.”

The Haven Community Center will include a theater, gymnasium, multipurpose activity spaces and specialized training labs designed to support workforce development, life skills instruction and career exploration.

In addition to providing enrichment and engagement opportunities, the center will serve as a hurricane shelter for residents and program participants at The Haven. In the event of an emergency, those with physical and mental disabilities will be able to stay in a familiar environment where they are supported by caregivers and resources, the release states. 

“This extraordinary gift from the Gettel Foundation is an investment in dignity, opportunity and belonging,” The Haven Vice President of Philanthropy Jennifer Groff says in the statement. “Their generosity will help create a space where the people we serve can build friendships, develop new skills, express their creativity and remain safe during times of crisis.”

The community center will span 8,800 square feet and cost about $6 million to build, Groff says in an email responding to questions from the Business Observer. So far, she says, $3 million has been raised for the project.

The Haven serves 700 people each day. It had nearly $8.77 million in revenue in 2024.