Our Community’s Commitment to Giving

When Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce scored a touchdown on his way to a Super Bowl victory recently, the Gateway Bronco team went wild. No, we didn’t have money on the game. The Gateway team celebrated the success of a community charity partner literally at the top of his game.

“In 2019, online fundraising platform Omaze and Gateway Bronco conducted a fundraising initiative to support Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce’s organization Eighty-Seven & Running,” said Gateway Bronco CEO Seth Burgett. “The campaign prize was a restored, one-of-a-kind 1969 Ford Fuelie™ Bronco, with a full frame-off restoration and modern performance technology. Together, we raised $183,000 for Kelce’s charity.”

Travis Kelce founded Eighty-Seven & Running to create real and lasting change in the communities he calls home by providing resources and opportunities for children and teens. Eighty-Seven & Running helps underserved youth strive to become productive citizens by mentoring and motivating them to explore and develop their abilities while learning critical life skills. The charity empowers disadvantaged youth to achieve success by providing resources and support to their communities and cultivating their talent in the areas of education, business, athletics, STEM and the arts.

Travis was among the first to join the roster of celebrities leveraging the spectacular builds from Gateway Bronco to help fund critical non-profits around the country. And though he was the latest to make big news, the roster of all-stars supporting the community has been amazing.

“Our first major campaign began with The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation in 2019, in partnership with NASCAR star Ryan Blaney,” noted Burgett. “He commissioned Gateway Bronco to build a one-of-a-kind 1974 Ford Bronco that sold at Barrett-Jackson’s 2020 Scottsdale Auction to support the Alzheimer’s Association. That truck brought $650,000 for the charity.”

Based on an entirely new body, the reimagined classic Bronco included a contemporary Ford drivetrain, updated suspension, custom interior and heritage styling.

“We commissioned Gateway Bronco for this project because it is the only company licensed by Ford Motor Company to create 1966-77 Broncos,” Blaney said. “We love how the Gateway Broncos combine vintage styling with modern tech.”

For Blaney, raising awareness around and generating research funding for Alzheimer’s is very personal. His grandfather, Lou Blaney, passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2009. A Hall of Fame dirt track racing legend, Lou Blaney had 400 wins and founded the family racing legacy.

In 2021, Omaze and Gateway Bronco once more collaborated on a sweepstakes, this time for a resto-mod 1969 Ford F-100 that raised $328,628 for SixDegrees.org. The stunning truck underwent a full frame-off restoration including modern upgrades by Gateway Bronco, making it a one-of-a-kind vehicle.

SixDegrees.org is led by actor, musician and philanthropist Kevin Bacon. The organization builds on the popularity of the “small world phenomenon” by enabling people to become celebrities for their own causes by donating to or raising money for local and grassroots charities in the United States.

In 2022, some of the biggest names in entertainment joined retired US Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, Gateway Bronco and The Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF) to launch a sweepstakes for a Resto-Mod 1968 Ford Bronco that raised money for the charity, which helps Special Operations Forces veterans transition into their next career. The SOTF transition program is a 12–18-month process focused on executive coaching, mentoring, career targeting, networking, interview preparation, and hiring connection support for these elite veterans.

“Special Operators risk their lives in service of their country every day,” said SOTF founder Rob O’Neill. “We’re obligated to help them successfully transition to their next career outside the military. I’m excited about all the horsepower supporting that mission from this sweepstakes for a heritage SUV by Gateway Bronco. This amazing prize will benefit an amazing group of people.”

Gateway Bronco reimagined the classic SUV with a complete frame-off restoration including modern upgrades. From the 700-horsepower engine to the Italian leather interior and advanced suspension, the SOTF ‘68 Ford Bronco was prepared for almost any operation, on or off the road.

According to Burgett, “It was an honor to help American Special Operators transform their lives once they complete their duty. Our reimagined classic Ford Bronco was the right vehicle for this fundraiser as we transformed and retooled the American-built SUV for its new mission.”

The Gateway Bronco sweepstakes was introduced during a SOTF Workshop, Golf Tournament and Concert in Nashville on September 26, 2022. The group was joined by host Robert J. O’Neill, celebrities, and Special Operators. Music stars Meghan Patrick and the War Hippies helped launch the campaign.

“More than 11,000 donations totaling over $580,000 were made to SOTF,” Burgett reports. “It was an incredible show of support for our veterans.”

The Gateway Bronco community has a tradition of great charitable giving and these were just a few of the higher profile fundraising initiatives that involved Gateway Bronco. Other partnerships benefited St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, Adam Wainwright’s charity Big League Impact and the Kevin Love Fund founded by the NBA player.

“The bottom line is that through our platform and the generosity of donors, over $2.4 million has been raised for charity in a very short time period,” said Burgett. “The Gateway Bronco community is committed to improving the lives of others.”