“The purpose of Ford Motor Company Fund will be the alleviation of want and human suffering, and the betterment and improvement of mankind…” - Henry Ford II.
There is no larger purpose than the one set down more than 60 years ago by Henry Ford II when he announced formation of Ford Motor Company Fund.
Corporate citizenship has been a top priority at Ford Motor Company since its beginning in 1903. Henry Ford II expanded the legacy of his father and grandfather in 1949 when he established Ford Motor Company Fund. Today, Ford Motor Company Fund remains true to its original purpose and continues to help build communities through partnerships that address community needs.
In the aftermath of World War II and in the shadow of a growing Cold War, the world faced no shortage of challenges. At home, Henry Ford II also observed a troubling trend; he could see traditional sources of financial support for private institutions starting to fade away. The Ford Motor Company Fund was created to help fill the void.
In the beginning, the Ford Fund helped build hospitals, supported human services through the United Foundation and worked to fill Community Chests across the country. The Fund provided scholarships, laid the financial foundation for the University of Michigan-Dearborn and played an important role in developing Downtown Detroit’s Civic Center.
Today the global economy remains in distress and Ford Motor Company is a smaller company on the rebound, after weathering a hostile business environment.
Despite these challenges, Ford Motor Company Fund has remained committed and involved in helping to build communities throughout this period. Innovative initiatives include Driving Skills for Life for teenage drivers, Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies for communities involved in high school redesign and Ford College Community Challenge for teams of university students working to build sustainable communities. In addition, some 500 students annually receive scholarships with funding from Ford's Blue Oval Scholars program and the Ford Volunteer Corps each year enrolls some 20,000 caring Ford employees and retirees, who repair shelters, feed the hungry and otherwise dedicate time and energy to community projects.
In 1949, Ford Motor Company Fund contributed nearly $1.5 million to support charities and community improvement efforts. During the six decades since, Ford Motor Company Fund has invested more than $1.3 billion to continue Ford’s legacy of caring, corporate responsibility and volunteerism into the future.
Ford Motor Company Fund is a charitable, non-profit corporation financed by contributions from Ford Motor Company.
Ford Motor Company Fund is not affiliated with the Ford Foundation, which is a totally separate entity from Ford Motor Company.
