Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Service's mission, to support initiatives and institutions that enhance and improve opportunities for those who live in the communities where Ford Motor Company operates, showcases the legacy of caring Henry Ford started 105 years ago.
Continuing on this important mission, Ford Motor Company Fund has launched Operation Goodwill, an innovative initiative designed to increase Ford's philanthropic and community-related commitment in select cities across America. Through this program, Ford Fund is partnering with its dealers in providing funding to support a combination of grants, safety and educational programs and volunteer activities that enhance the quality of life in the following cities: Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Nashville, Phoenix, San Antonio and San Diego. Additional communities are being considered.
“Operation Goodwill gives us the opportunity to better target our philanthropy and community outreach activities, and to solidly demonstrate that Ford has been, and will continue to be, a supportive corporate citizen in the community,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.
In addition to increased financial support to these communities, Operation Goodwill also includes a new community campaign with television spots, roadside billboards, and marketing materials such as posters and brochures, along with increased community relations.
The Operation Goodwill cities, in addition to other national programs, contribute to Ford's commitment to the nation's communities. National examples of involvement include working with non-profits such as United Way, America’s Promise, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and many more. Additionally, Ford has created national programs such as Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safe driving initiative, and the Ford Volunteer Corps, which unites Ford employees and retirees in participating in a wide range of volunteering efforts, primarily in their own communities.
In each city, Ford and its local dealers select areas of need and target efforts toward making an impact in that area. For example, teen safe driving is an issue in Phoenix, so we’re specifically focusing on that issue. Following is an overview what we’re doing in each of the select cities:
Chicago: focusing on Education. National programs include the Henry Ford Academy: Power House High, Ford Driving Skills for Life, Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest), Newspapers in Education, Ford Calumet Environmental Center and Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes
Local Chicago Initiatives: After School Matters, Midtown Education Foundation, Friends of the Parks, John G. Shedd Aquarium, and the Youth Enrichment Program at El Valor
Detroit: Currently in process, with Education as main focus.
Miami:. Operation Goodwill Miami launches on Oct. 17.
Nashville: focusing on Education. National programs include: Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest) food bank, United Way, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes, Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS), Ford Driving Skills for Life, American Red Cross, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Local Nashville Initiatives:,Ghouls at Grassmere at the Nashville Zoo, Our Kids Center, Junior Achievement, Country Music Hall of Fame, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Conexion Americas, Homework Hotline, Nashville area Habitat for Humanity
Phoenix: Focusing on Automotive Safety. National programs include: United Way, American Red Cross, Ford Car Care Clinics, Ford Corazon de mi vida Safety program, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes, Ford Driving Skills for Life, Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS)
Local Phoenix initiatives: Autumn House Women's Shelter, Hispanic Women Corporation
San Antonio: program launching before the end of the year.
San Diego: Focusing on Environment. Ford Green Skills for Life, Ford Driving Skills for Life, Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS), Ford Car Care Clinic, Ford Motor Company Salute to Education, American Red Cross, American Lung Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes, Feeding America, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Local Initiatives: San Diego Fire Department, San Diego Coastkepper Beach Cleanup Day, American Women in Radio and TV, Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, Meals on Wheels San Diego, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego, Operation Homefront, Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego, San Diego Combined Health Agencies/United Way, The New Children's Museum, San Diego Environmental Foundation, Special Olympics San Diego, San Diego Salvation Army, Rady Children's Hospital, MWR Camp Pendleton, San Diego Youth Symphony.
