Key Highlights
- Employees at Service Plus Automotive choose local nonprofits to support, fostering a sense of ownership and community engagement.
- The shop contributes monetary donations and plans to expand support through activities like bike assembly for youth programs.
- Community involvement has improved employee morale and received positive feedback from customers, strengthening local relationships.
- Hulbert advocates for businesses to start community conversations organically, aligning support with both values and profitability.
- The shop’s ongoing partnerships include organizations like the North Country Adventure Team and Encompassing Recreation, reflecting employee passions.
The employees at Service Plus Automotive know that the causes that matter to them matter to the entire team. Throughout the year, the shop partners with local nonprofit organizations as a way to give back to the community they are so proud to be a part of, and the choice of those nonprofits is in the hands of the employees.
Two employees in particular have been able to bring attention to organizations that are especially important to them. Owner Jennifer Hulbert shared that one of her technicians had a nephew who tragically passed away in a bike accident in which he wasn’t wearing a helmet and is now a major advocate for the North Country Adventure Team, which helps encourage kids to explore and stay active outdoors. The shop currently contributes a monetary donation and hopes to buy and assemble bikes next year. Another employee has a child with special needs and brought Encompassing Recreation to Hulbert’s attention. The small group, which Hulbert had never heard of before, helps bring inclusive sports and recreation to kids and families.
Thanks to a supportive employer dedicated to giving back to the community, staff members are able to share and give back to causes that are important to them, which has left a lasting impact.
Backstory
Hulbert’s father started Service Plus Automotive in Calcium, New York, in 1992. Hulbert joined the shop in 2001 when her father decided to expand the business and build a new location. In 2009, Hulbert took over day-to-day operations from her father when he retired, and since then, they’ve expanded the number of techs and started utilizing the building differently while continuing to be a pillar in the community. In addition to owning the shop, Hulbert is the director of programs for The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence.
Problem
Although they’ve always supported their community, Hulbert says their involvement reached a new level after they did a deep dive about three years ago into who Service Plus Automotive was from a cultural standpoint. She explains that the team felt it important to serve not only their customers, but also the local community, and in order to truly do that, they needed to step up and contribute to local organizations.
Solution
The Service Plus Automotive team decided to find nonprofit organizations that the employees were passionate about and partner with them. Throughout the year, the team offers support through fundraising, awareness campaigns, and involvement with the goal of making a positive impact in the community. The 2025 partners included Lewis County Humane Society, Caring4Cats Rescue, Encompass Recreation, the Wounded Warrior Project, Stuff-A-Bus, Volunteer Transportation Center, and Children’s Miracle Network.
The staff has a big impact on which organizations are selected, and they are discussed at staff meetings. Anyone can bring up an organization that they are passionate about. Once the nonprofit is selected, funds are raised during the month of the partnership—which typically range from $500 to $750. A flyer with the organization is displayed in the waiting room, and the shop’s goals are communicated on social media channels as well as in the monthly email.
Aftermath
A bulletin board in the shop is covered with thank you notes from various people involved in the organizations that Service Plus Automotive has assisted.
Hulbert says the involvement has increased employee morale and that customers have had positive feedback and shown appreciation that they are looking out for their community.
Takeaway
If you’re looking to get more involved in the community, Hulbert’s advice is simple.
“Start the conversation with your staff.”
She says the idea came to them organically when they were talking about new marketing ideas and that the team seemed really passionate about it.
“We as shop owners can’t do what we do without vehicles and customers and if we’re not supporting the communities that support us, we’re missing out.”
She adds it’s important to make sure that supporting nonprofits makes sense for your shop and that it’s profitable because at the end of the day, you’re still a business.
“If it does (make sense), we should be supporting people in our community,” she points out.
Building a Strong Non-Profit Partnership
A 2025 article by Forbes shared 19 strategies for success for businesses interested in partnering with a local organization. Here’s a look at the highlights:
- Establish a shared vision
- Practice trust, transparency, and listening
- Operate with co-creation in mind
- Approach collaboration with authenticity
- Build trust over time
- Bring a genuine attitude of partnership
- Understand the “why”
- Develop trust to foster mutual vulnerability
- Be flexible and responsive to change
- Be reliable
- Focus on relationships beyond transactions
- Demonstrate tenacity, flexibility, and transparency
- Seek out feedback
- Align with your core values and mission
- Ensure the partnership has complementary propositions
- Prioritize strategic alignment
- Focus on common viewpoints
- Prioritize good, consistent communication
Read the full article here.
The Partnership Impact
The founder of a nonprofit shares how far the support goes
Kylie Schell, founder and executive director of Encompass Recreation, one of the nonprofits that Service Plus Automotive partners with, spoke with Ratchet+Wrench about just how impactful the support has been.
How did you first get introduced to the Service Plus Automotive Team?
We first were connected with the Service Plus Automotive team through one of their employees, who is a big supporter of our mission—supporting youth with higher support needs.
From the very beginning, it was clear that they genuinely cared about programs and the impact we’re having on the community.
What do partnerships like this mean to your organization?
Partnerships like this are truly invaluable. Encompass Recreation exists because of the support of businesses and community members who believe that every child deserves access to sports, recreation, and meaningful experiences. These relationships allow us to provide all our programs at no cost to families while creating a community where belonging and inclusion are more than just words … they’re put into action.
Is there anything that stands out to you with your partnership with Service Plus Automotive?
What stands out most about Service Plus Automotive is that they have been invested in our mission and consistently demonstrate a genuine desire to make a difference. Their financial support goes beyond sponsorship; they have become partners in helping us create opportunities for youth with higher support needs and their families.
Is there any advice you’d give to a business that’s looking to partner with a non-profit?
My advice would be to look for a partnership rather than simply a sponsorship. The most meaningful relationships are built when businesses and nonprofits share a vision and work together to strengthen their communities. Beyond the positive community impact, these partnerships allow businesses to demonstrate their values, connect with families, build trust, and show employees and customers that they are invested in something bigger than themselves. People want to support businesses that support their communities, and partnerships like these create benefits that extend far beyond a single event or donation.
About the Author
Tess Owings