Ford says it’s decided to leverage “everything we have” to work with four charitable partners to give its philanthropic efforts maximum impact. They are launching a new initiative called “Building Together.”
“Ford Building Together is a new initiative that brings the full power of the company in support of four non profits,” says Ford Philanthropy President Mary Culler. “So, we’re very excited to be supporting the American Red Cross, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity and Team Rubicon.”
Ford has supported these partners and many other efforts over the years. But this coordinates those efforts and allows Ford to use its people and products in many different ways.
“We will be bringing not only our philanthropic dollars, but the dealers will be involved all across the country,” says Culler. “Our employees will be volunteering. We’ll be providing vehicles where relevant, and, of course, our expertise.”
Ford is also putting an extra 7 million dollars into the efforts. That’s on top of $2.4 billion donated by Ford Philanthropy over the years.
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford launching the program with a mid day ceremony in front of Michigan Central Station.
"You know I’ve often said a company can only be as strong as the committees in which they operate. This effort will build and rebuild our communities."
More than 600 Ford employees showed up at the station, wearing blue Ford Volunteer t-shirts, beginning a number of efforts, from framing a new house, to putting together packages for food banks.
"It kind of gives me a foundation," says Ford employee Damian Bumpis. "The fact that I don't have to think about just myself, that I'm out there trying to help others."
Worker Rene Palileo is what Ford calls a "super volunteer." He says workers get a lot out of the volunteering experience.
"When we get a chance to actually go do volunteering like this. It makes me feel like this is who I am, who I want to be."
Culler says “Building Together” will leverage Ford’s charitable efforts in new ways, and allow them to better coordinate with dealers, who are a part of most communities around the country.
“The dealers do so much in the community right now, they are hugely philanthropic. But, if we can focus our efforts on something together–which is exactly what this program is about–we can have a bigger impact.”
Ford is launching the effort at Michigan Central Station, where nearly 900 employees will be doing volunteer projects, including packing food boxes for Feeding America.
The four organizations that are a part of this new program are ones that Ford has been working with for years.
“These organizations are well known,” says Culler. “They’ve been on the ground helping communities for years. We just know that in our particular instance, as far as coming together around disaster relief and community resiliency, these organizations are some of the best.”
Culler says the goal is to turn dealerships into community hubs, and to get more workers to do volunteer work. The plan is to double the number of total volunteer hours.
“Volunteering really builds community, brings people together and gives people purpose.”