Miller Family Automobile Foundation

The Miller Family Automobile Foundation operates as a private operating foundation — meaning it runs its own charitable programs rather than making grants to other organizations. Founded in 2017, the foundation preserves and displays the world-class automobile collection assembled by the late Larry H. Miller, the Utah business magnate who built a $5+ billion empire spanning car dealerships, the Utah Jazz NBA team, and numerous other enterprises. The foundation's strategy centers on automotive heritage education: maintaining a collection of approximately 30 historically significant vehicles (primarily Shelby Cobras, Ford GT40s, and related American performance cars from the 1960s) and making them accessible to the public through museum partnerships. The foundation is led by Miller family members — Karen G. Miller (President), Gregory S. Miller (Vice President), Stephen F. Miller (Secretary/Treasurer), and Brilliant Miller (Director) — all of whom serve without compensation. With $203 million in assets and zero employees, the foundation operates with an extremely lean overhead model, spending only $303,000 in total expenses in 2024 while planning construction of a dedicated permanent museum facility. This is not a grantmaking foundation; organizations seeking funding should look instead to the separate Larry H. Miller and Gail Miller Family Foundation, which is the family's active grantmaking vehicle.

As a private operating foundation, the Miller Family Automobile Foundation does not distribute external grants. Its $203 million asset base consists primarily of the monetary value of the automobile collection itself, plus investment holdings that generate approximately $1.6 million in annual revenue (80% from interest income, 10% from dividends, and small contributions and other income). Annual charitable disbursements totaled $263,389 in 2024 — allocated entirely to operating its own museum programs rather than grants to third parties. The foundation continues to acquire vehicles for the collection, adding two vintage automobiles in 2024. Notable past acquisitions include a $7 million 1964 Ford GT40 chassis P-104 purchased at Mecum Auctions in 2014 and a $2.5 million vehicle purchased by Greg Miller at a 2018 charity auction. The foundation's total assets have been relatively stable, peaking at $211.8 million in 2021 before settling at the current $203.1 million level. For organizations seeking Miller family philanthropy, the Larry H. Miller and Gail Miller Family Foundation (EIN 51-0641922) is the relevant grantmaking entity.

In 2024, the Miller Family Automobile Foundation continued its methodical approach to collection building and museum planning. Two additional vintage automobiles were purchased and added to the collection, expanding the already world-class holdings. The foundation held planning meetings and board meetings focused on developing a permanent public museum to house the collection — a project that has been in development for several years since the closure of the Larry H. Miller Total Performance Museum at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah (the park's lease was not renewed in 2015). Currently, the majority of the rare and vintage auto collection remains on display at the Shelby American Collection Museum in Boulder, Colorado, which serves as the primary public venue for viewing the Miller vehicles. The foundation's most recent 990-PF was filed on November 15, 2024, showing $203.1 million in total assets and $1.6 million in revenue. The foundation received $35,000 in contributions in 2024 and generated $1.45 million in investment income. Total expenses of $303,000 reflect the lean operating model with no paid staff.

1. This is NOT a grantmaking foundation — do not submit funding requests here. The Miller Family Automobile Foundation is a private operating foundation that runs its own museum and collection programs. It does not accept grant applications or make grants to outside organizations. If you submit a funding request, it will not be considered.

2. For Miller family philanthropy, contact the Larry H. Miller and Gail Miller Family Foundation instead. The separate Larry H. Miller and Gail Miller Family Foundation (EIN 51-0641922) is the Miller family's active grantmaking vehicle, focused on community development, education, and social services primarily in Utah. That foundation should be your target if seeking Miller family support.

3. Partnership and collaboration opportunities may exist for automotive museums and heritage organizations. If your organization operates in automotive heritage, historic vehicle preservation, or motorsport education, there may be opportunities for collection loans, joint exhibitions, or educational partnerships. Contact the foundation at 801-563-4100 to explore such arrangements.

4. The Shelby American Collection Museum in Boulder, CO is the current public display venue. Organizations interested in educational programming related to the Miller collection should coordinate with the Shelby American Collection Museum (shelbyamericancollection.org), which currently houses most of the Miller vehicles and operates its own public programs.

5. Watch for the permanent museum opening. The foundation has been planning a dedicated permanent museum facility for several years. When it opens, there may be opportunities for educational partnerships, event hosting, and collaboration with automotive history organizations. Monitor the Larry H. Miller Company website (lhm.com) for announcements.