Ford Philanthropy

“Our family-oriented values are what drives us. When we see our elders pass on, we carry on their vision because we know the amount of work they put into building and sustaining this center and community.” — Angela Lee, President, Douglass Community Center In the heart of southwest Haywood County, Tennessee, the Douglass Community Center serves as a vital hub for the local community. Established by 38 Black farmer families in the 1930s, this historic property has evolved into a vibrant cultural hub, offering a haven of safety that echoes the warmth of a grandparent’s home. Through our capital grants campaign in BlueOval City—Ford’s advanced electric vehicle and battery manufacturing campus in West Tennessee—we’re proud to support the Douglass Community Center’s historical improvements on its 38-acre property. To learn more about our work, check out our annual Impact Report here

It’s that time of year again—Ford’s annual Clark Park Clean-up took place on June 26! For more than 20 years, Roberto Teran, a Ford powertrain engineer, has led this inspiring event in partnership with the Ford Hispanic and Latino Network and the Ford Volunteer Corps. His passion for community service has inspired so many colleagues to volunteer that there is a waitlist that gets longer every year. We are proud to spotlight all the amazing volunteers who make a difference at this event. #ClarkParkCleanup #FordVolunteerCorp

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” This Juneteenth marks our second year partnering with the National Civil Rights Museum to celebrate the holiday. If you’re in Memphis, enjoy free admission to the museum on June 19th and discover the powerful stories of progress that have shaped our nation. Learn more about the incredible work the museum is doing and how you can support its mission by visiting https://lnkd.in/ewnagqBf      #Juneteenth  

🌈 This June, we proudly celebrate LGBTQ+ organizations and leaders during Pride Month! We're spotlighting Affirmations, a key support hub for the LGBTQ+ community in Southeast Michigan since 1989. As Affirmations celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, it continues to provide a safe haven offering mental health therapy, legal assistance, youth programming, educational resources, and more for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. Affirmations' Executive Director, Cheryl Czach, started as a volunteer over a decade ago and eventually becoming Board President and full-time leader. Read more about Cheryl and Affirmations here: https://lnkd.in/eeVAhiDd

As we continue to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we're highlighting the remarkable journey of Art delaCruz, Chief Executive Officer of Team Rubicon, a long-time Ford Philanthropy partner.     With over two decades of experience in the US Navy and as a former TopGun instructor, Art's commitment to service knows no bounds. Growing up as the son of Filipino immigrants, he learned the importance of community and peacekeeping, values that have guided him through his military service and now shape his leadership at Team Rubicon.    Learn more about Art’s impact with Team Rubicon: https://lnkd.in/e_2gUTbZ   #AAPIMonth #FordPhilanthropy  

2024 is predicted to be the worst year for natural disasters around the world. Ford and Ford Philanthropy have been committed to supporting communities hit hard by natural disasters for decades.    Brazil’s recent floods have impacted more than 2 million people and 400 cities in the region.     Ford employees and dealers in Rio Grande do Sul have been on the ground helping with relief operations, lending trucks and transit vans, donating to local relief organizations and volunteering.  Ford Philanthropy has taken swift action by providing a grant to help provide food, water, medical supplies, clothing and ongoing support for storm survivors.    There is still much to be done. You can donate to the Brazil Flood Relief Fund, aiding in delivering immediate relief and long-term support to the communities most affected. 

Join us in celebrating Thanh Tran, Founder of AccelerateKID®, Kids+Entrepreneurship+Tech and Executive Director of Accelerate4KIDS Foundation, this AAPI Heritage Month! Thanh's mission to bring quality computer science education to all children is making an incredible impact in our Southeast Michigan communities.    Learn more about Thanh’s impact in our communities https://lnkd.in/eKsHWrHC   #AAPIHeritageMonth

In celebration of National Volunteer Week last month, Ford team members made an impact in our communities nationwide. Together, 460 employees dedicated 1300 hours of service across 37 projects, supporting organizations like Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Forgotten Harvest, Team Rubicon, Feeding America and more!   Mary Culler, Ford Philanthropy’s President shared, “Giving back has long been at the heart of Ford’s purpose, and it’s always so inspiring to see our employee volunteers out in the community, sharing their time, talents and passion.”   #NationalVolunteerWeek #FordPhilanthropy

We’re proud to spotlight Rashawn Grayson, a senior at Denby High School, who found his passion and community through the Detroit Food Academy Afterschool Leadership Program at a Ford Community Center.     Rashawn says, “It’s more than just the cooking though. I like that, but it’s the connections; I’ve made friends.”    Over the past four years, Rashawn has thrived with the Detroit Food Academy, a valued partner of Ford Philanthropy empowering youth in culinary arts and food entrepreneurship and is now in the Advanced Leadership program.     Join Rashawn and his peers at their upcoming annual fundraising dinner on May 18-19 at FRAME in Hazel Park, where they'll present a creative menu. Purchase tickets here: https://lnkd.in/e_N7HCDD   #DetroitFoodAcademy #CulinaryArts #EducationForTheFutureofWork   

Hello LinkedIn community!  Welcome to the Ford Philanthropy page. We’re excited to connect and build community with all of you. Working shoulder to shoulder with our community partners and Ford employees, we’re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others and supporting our Ford neighbors in the U.S. and around the world...     Here’s what you can look forward to seeing from us:  ✅ Spotlights on our incredible partners   ✅ Sharing our employees’ volunteer stories  ✅ Insights into philanthropy trends and news  ✅ Highlights across our impact areas: increasing access to essential services, supporting education for the future of work, building a diverse pipeline of entrepreneurs and expanding access through mobility solutions    In our recently released annual Impact Report, we’re proud to share the results of our collaborative efforts. Together with our partners, we’ve supported over 730 nonprofits, directly benefiting nearly 3.5 million people worldwide!    Explore our collaborations with inspiring organizations such as Feeding America, Feonix - Mobility Rising, Team Rubicon, TechForce Foundation, and Heartland Forward.   Follow along for the latest updates and join us in driving meaningful impact together. Annual Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/eAiYNAeS #FordPhilanthropy