K1 Speed's 19-Year-Old Mascot Inspires $250k SPCA Donation

IRVINE, CA – February 26, 2026 – K1 Speed, the world’s largest indoor go-kart racing operator, has announced a significant philanthropic milestone, donating $235,236.67 to ten independent SPCA organizations across the United States. The massive 2025 fundraising effort was inspired by an unlikely figure in the high-octane world of kart racing: Jolie, the company founders’ beloved 19-year-old Coton de Tulear and official company mascot.

The donation, divided equally among the ten animal welfare groups, represents a deep-seated commitment to animal rescue, personified by a small, white dog who has been a quiet fixture at the company for nearly two decades.

A Legacy of Loyalty and Laps

Jolie’s story is intertwined with the history of K1 Speed itself. She joined the family of co-founders David and Susan Danglard in 2006, back when the company consisted of just two locations in Southern California. Today, with 107 centers spanning the globe, Jolie has become a symbol of loyalty and resilience, a trackside companion who has witnessed the company's meteoric rise.

Her remarkable age is a story in itself. At 19, Jolie is believed to be the oldest living Coton de Tulear in the world. With the breed’s average lifespan typically ranging from 14 to 16 years, her longevity places her in a rare category, making her a living testament to enduring spirit. This quiet resilience became the inspiration for the company's large-scale charitable initiative.

The founders' personal passion for animal welfare has long been a driving force behind the company's community efforts. "As a life-long animal welfare advocate, independent SPCA organizations are a phenomenal way to ensure support goes directly to local reinvestments," said Susan Danglard, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, in the company’s announcement. "We are proud to play a role in improving the lives of animals in communities throughout the United States."

The Winning Formula for Fundraising

The impressive fundraising total was not generated on the racetrack, but through a strategic and effective partnership. At its U.S. locations, K1 Speed hosted a series of silent auctions featuring sought-after sports memorabilia. This initiative was run in collaboration with Charity Benefits Unlimited (CBU), a firm specializing in no-risk fundraising for non-profits and corporate partners.

CBU’s model proved to be a powerful engine for K1 Speed's philanthropy. The firm operates on a consignment basis, providing authenticated memorabilia to its partners at no upfront cost. This allows organizations like K1 Speed to host auctions without financial risk, keeping a significant portion of the final sale price for their chosen charity. CBU manages the entire process, from item procurement and auction setup to payment collection, enabling the racing centers to integrate charitable giving seamlessly into their daily operations.

This model leverages K1 Speed's extensive physical footprint and consistent customer traffic, turning entertainment venues into powerful hubs for community fundraising. The success of this campaign, which raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars, highlights a scalable and sustainable approach to corporate social responsibility that can be replicated across the company's ever-expanding network of locations.

Fueling Frontline Animal Welfare Efforts

The beneficiaries of this campaign are ten independent SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) organizations, each receiving a check for $23,523.67. The donations are targeted to make a direct impact at the local level, supporting the vital and often under-resourced work of animal rescue groups.

The recipients span the country and include spcaLA, SF SPCA, SPCA of Texas, Greater Charlotte SPCA, SPCA Florida, Pennsylvania SPCA, Richmond SPCA, Nevada SPCA, Louisiana SPCA, and the SPCA of Tennessee.

These funds will provide critical support for a wide range of services. For instance, the SF SPCA will use the resources to support its mobile vaccine clinics, which offer no-cost veterinary care in under-resourced neighborhoods, and to expand community veterinary services for pet owners facing financial hardship. In Tennessee, the donation will bolster the SPCA of Tennessee, a 100% volunteer-run organization that relies on a network of foster families to rescue and rehabilitate abused animals, with long-term ambitions to build a "Therapy Ranch" sanctuary.

By focusing on independent organizations, K1 Speed ensures its contributions address the specific needs of diverse communities, from urban centers to more rural areas, reinforcing the company's goal of facilitating direct, local reinvestment.

A Pattern of Corporate Philanthropy

This major donation to SPCAs is not an isolated event but part of a broader, long-standing pattern of community engagement and charitable giving by K1 Speed. The company has consistently leveraged its brand and facilities to support various causes, with a particular focus on animal welfare.

Just last year, in April 2025, the company donated over $100,000 to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to mark Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, a sum also raised through its successful silent auction program with CBU. The same year, motivated by devastating local wildfires, K1 Speed contributed $25,000 to Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW), an emergency response organization.

Beyond these large-scale campaigns, the company runs a standing "Fundraisers" program, allowing non-profit groups like schools, sports teams, and clubs to host events at its centers and receive 20% of the sales. This consistent, grassroots-level support, combined with major annual initiatives, paints a picture of a corporation where philanthropy is deeply integrated into its identity, driven by a personal mission that began with a small, fluffy mascot who has been there from the very start. The company actively encourages the public to continue this spirit of giving by searching "SPCA [Your City]" to help combat animal cruelty in their own communities.