DETROIT -

Fifty-seven dealers from across the U.S. have been announced as nominees for the 2013TIME Dealer of the Year award, Ally Financial said Monday.

Considered among the nation’s most successful dealers, these nominees also demonstrate a longstanding commitment to community service.

In fact, a recent survey of U.S. dealers by Ally Financial found that more than 65 percent increased their charitable giving in 2012 compared to 2011, and nearly 64 percent donate more than $10,000 on an annual basis, more than 94 percent of which goes to local causes.

“Auto dealers play such an important role in the strength of local communities across the United States,” said Tim Russi, executive vice president of North American auto operations for Ally Financial. “They are involved in many philanthropic endeavors, contributing their time and money to improving the lives of people in need. Ally is proud to support and honor these extraordinary dealers and the important roles they play in making their communities better places to live and work.”

Recognized among the industry’s most prestigious honors, the TIME Dealer of the Year award is now in its 44th year.

The winner of the award will be announced in February 2013 at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention & Exposition in Orlando, Fla.

Ally Financial, in its second year as exclusive sponsor, said it will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s charity of choice. An additional grant will also be made on behalf of the winner.

Ally noted that last year’s winner Mike Shaw, dealer principal of Mike Shaw Chevrolet Saab in Denver, chose the Boy Scouts of America Denver Area Council as the recipient of his 2012 winner’s grant. The funding provided for 67 boys to go to Scout camp via their Assistance Individuals program.

Ally has launched a website, AllyDealerHeroes.com, to highlight the philanthropic contributions and achievements of auto dealers. On the site, all 57 award nominees will be represented, along with stories of their charitable outreach.

The site also features a social media dashboard displaying a tally of dealer contributions, and the results of a new hashtag campaign, #AllyDealerHeroes, which encourages dealers and consumers to share their own stories of community involvement.

For a list of all TIME Dealer of the Year nominees, click here.