- Ford Motor Company Fund's COVID-19 Donation Match program helps 47 community organizations in 20 countries and 14 U.S. states
- Program surpassed its goal of $1 million, raising more than $633,000 in individual contributions that were matched by $500,000 from the Ford Fund—the philanthropic arm of Ford—and personal contributions from Executive Chairman Bill Ford
- Donation match contributions prioritized hunger relief; Other areas of support included health, basic needs, education and virtual arts and culture initiatives
DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 13, 2020 — Ford Motor Company Fund today announced Ford employees, and others contributed $1,133,447 million to COVID-19 related relief efforts around the world, surpassing its goal.
The COVID-19 Donation Match Program was established in April to provide Ford employees, their families and friends a way to help fight the growing pandemic that kept them at home and unable to volunteer in traditional ways.
"Giving back is one of Ford's key values and that is most exemplified in our employees," said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. "We received so many requests from employees asking how they could help in the early days of the pandemic. The donation match program provided a meaningful way for employees to join the fight against COVID-19—even at a time they could not physically be there to pitch in and help make a difference."
Through the match program, 47 nonprofits and community groups in 20 countries and 14 U.S. states received funds donated by Ford employees and others that were then matched by $500,000 from the Ford Fund and personal contributions from Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford.
The donation match supported community projects in markets with significant coronavirus-related needs and a substantial number of Ford employees. Nearly one-third—29%—of the funds went to hunger relief efforts. The next highest share, 24%, was earmarked for projects that met a blend of basic human needs – food, shelter and clothing. Educational efforts received 19% of the funds. Remaining donations supported health-related projects, along with efforts to keep arts programs alive virtually and preserve jobs at institutions that provide historical and cultural education.
"This pandemic has impacted every aspect of our daily life and put many nonprofit organizations at risk of being unable to serve their communities," said Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. "Thanks to the generosity of our employees and others, we were able to support a wide range of projects around the world and continue the critically important work these nonprofits are doing."
The program was administered by GlobalGiving, Ford's longtime disaster relief and global grant-making partner.
Below is a sample of how nonprofits around the world used donations to make an impact in their own communities.
In Brazil, Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce fed nearly 1,200 families for a month and delivered nearly 20,000 lunches to homeless citizens.
In Ontario, Canada, the David McAntony Gibson Foundation distributed 35,000 hygiene kits; 150,000 kg (330,700 lbs) of dried food; as well as 26,000 thank you gifts to frontline workers who are caring for the most vulnerable in their communities.
In England, St. Mungo's supported the transition of more than 2,700 homeless individuals off the streets or out of emergency shelters into individual hotel rooms. Their trained outreach teams also provided a full assessment of each individual, and delivered food and other essential supplies based on specific needs.
In Tamilnadu, India, the Indian Association for the Blind provided financial support to more than 250 families with visually challenged members to help pay for groceries, medications and rent.
In Italy, Mission Bambini helped more than 600 low-income families transition their young children to online learning during strict quarantine orders. The donations helped provide electronic devices, technological training and emotional support.
In Mexico City, Fondo Unido Mexico collaborated with multiple nonprofits on more than 33 community projects that delivered food, personal hygiene kits, medical supplies and emergency kits to people in need. Additional projects addressed education-related needs, mental health and emergency relief assistance.
In Craiova, Romania, Asociatia Club Rotary Craiova Probitas partnered with Ion Tiriac Foundation to purchase virus testing equipment and increase daily tests by 10-fold at the community hospital.
In Madrid, Spain, Apadrina La Ciencia provided financial support to laboratories making COVID-19 tests specifically for the elderly in nursing homes, resulting in the administration of more than 1,000 additional tests.
In South Africa, the Waqful Waqifin Foundation (Gift of the Givers) distributed food and cleaning supplies to low-income residents while testing people in triage tents erected at key hospitals. In total, more than 180 hospitals and clinics were served, and 120,000 food boxes were delivered to families across the country.
In Taiwan, Teach for Taiwan purchased electronic tablets for school children maintaining their classes online.
In Istanbul, Turkey, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Foundation provided masks, ventilators and lifesaving medical supplies for its COVID-19 intensive care units. They also provided essential supplies to healthcare workers in one of the country's oldest and largest teaching hospitals supporting 3,500 medical students.
In Vietnam, Centre of Live and Learn for Environment and Community provided meals and face masks to 80 classrooms of visually impaired students in Ha Noi. In Hoan Kiem, 120 families in were given food baskets, face masks and supermarket gift cards. In addition, four tons of rice were donated to Ho Chi Minh residents, and 150 students of Ho Chi Minh University of Technology were given 2,250 meals and SIM cards.
Fourteen nonprofits across the United States also received donations. Among them:
• The Detroit-based United Way for Southeastern Michigan awarded 580 grants to local nonprofit agencies, childcare facilities and community centers
• The Pope Francis Center, a Detroit homeless shelter, used its donations to continue providing meals, showers and clothing to homeless people.
• In Ann Arbor, Mich., The Ark folk music club created The Ark Family Room Series—livestream programming that features four to five performances a week, provides income for musicians and a way for international audiences to participate in the experience. The Ark is also pursuing virtual youth and educational programs and expanded social media outreach, keeping people connected to music and each other.
• The Greater Cleveland (Ohio) Food Bank delivered more than 20 million pounds of food to 800 community organizations that distribute meals to families.
• In Olympia, Wash., the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington received a grant to remain open under state COVID-19 restriction guidelines and provide essential childcare services. In San Clemente, Calif., the Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area delivered nearly 25,000 meals and home activity kits to low-income families during stay-at-home restrictions.
• In Northern California, Volunteers for Interamerican Development Assistance (VIDA) provided hospitals in California with medical equipment such as hospitals beds, gurneys, IV supplies and surgical gowns. They also provided assistance in Latin American countries and sent 74 pallets of personal protection equipment and medical supplies to countries throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, as well as 20 pallets to China. In addition, its U.S. arm outfitted 200 U.S. medical professionals traveling to the Philippines to address respiratory issues.
The COVID-19 Donation Match program is one example of how Ford Fund is providing critical assistance to local communities coping with pandemic-related issues. To date, Ford Fund has invested nearly $3 million to support nonprofits in their efforts to address hunger, shelter, mobility and other urgent needs throughout Southeast Michigan, across the United States and around the world. To learn more about Ford Fund's response to COVID-19 and ways you can help, visit www.fordfund.org/covid19.
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In Madrid, Spain, Apadrina La Ciencia received match funds for laboratories making COVID-19 tests specifically for the elderly in nursing homes, resulting in the administration of some 1,500 additional tests. Additionally, the lab used some funds to study the SARS-CoV-2 virus to better understand pandemic science. Photo provided by Apadrina La Ciencia.
Four people in white coats in laboratory, paired and looking at large machines. l
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In Italy, helped 525 low-income families transition to online learning for their young children during strict quarantine orders. The agencies received donations to provide electronic devices, technological training and emotional support. Photo provided by Mission Bambini.
Female child wearing earphones, sitting at a small desk with a bed in background. A stack of papers and books to her right and a laptop in front of her.
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In Craiova, Romania, match funds were donated to Asociatia Club Rotary Craiova Probitas to partner with a large dealer network, Ion Tiriac Foundation, to purchase virus testing equipment and increase daily tests by 10-fold at the community hospital. Photo provided by Asociatia Club Rotary Craiova Probitas.
Two people in laboratory appearing to work together.
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In Tamilnadu, India, the Indian Association for the Blind used its donations to provide financial support to more than 250 families with visually challenged members to help pay for groceries, medications and rent. Photo provided by Indian Association for the Blind.
Two adults and two children standing in alternating alignment.
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Teach for Taiwan, which works to provide education equality, used its donations to purchase electronic tablets for school children maintaining their classes online. Photo provided by GlobalGiving, Teach for Taiwan.
Five children walking toward camera, two walking away with others in the background of a building breezeway. White lettering on red banner in lower left corner: ONE DAY, ALL CHILDREN. Also Teach for Taiwan logo in lower right corner.
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Istanbul, Turkey, houses one of the country’s oldest and largest teaching hospitals. With nearly 1,500 beds and 3,500 medical students, personal protection equipment was at a premium. Donations went to Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty to supply masks and other supplies to healthcare workers. Photo provided by Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty.
Three masked persons in background with persons on right and left having their right hand over their heart. Person in foreground wearing mask, glasses, smock and hair net.
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In South Africa, the Waqful Waqifin Foundation, Gift of the Givers, used its donations to fortify its work of distributing food and cleaning supplies to low-income residents while testing people in triage tents erected at key hospitals, serving more than 120 hospitals and clinics across the country and delivering some 30,000 food boxes to families. Photo provided by Waqful Waqifin Foundation.
Adult in uniform shirt holding plastic box of food with child, with others in the background.
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Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce is a philanthropic institution that houses one of the largest free healthcare complexes in Brazil. It used its donations to feed nearly 1,200 families for a month and deliver almost 20,000 lunches to homeless citizens. Photo provided by Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce.
Five people sit on mattresses on carpet interacting with two (third set of feet visible) masked, gloved people wearing scrub tops, one balancing a large box on his hips.
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In Mexico City, Mexico, Proyecto Mexico received funds to operate a temporary food pantry and delivery services. Families of up to eight people received food boxes packed with high nutritional items. Groceries were collected, packaged and delivered to family who couldn’t leave their homes. Photo provided by Proyecto Mexico.
Masked male wearing sunglasses leans on the tailgate of a Ford pickup with packages in the bed.
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Based in Ontario, Canada, the David McAntony Gibson Foundation, used its donations to distribute 35,000 hygiene kits; 150,000 kg (330,700 lbs) of dried food; as well as 26,000 “thank you” gifts to frontline workers who are caring for the most vulnerable in their communities. Photo provided by David McAntony Gibson Foundation.
Four masked persons, two wearing gloves, hold various cleaning supplies.
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The Detroit-based United Way for Southeastern Michigan awarded 580 grants to local nonprofit agencies, childcare facilities and community centers. Photo provided by United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
Male with white Afro receives two filled plastic bags from female.
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The Pope Francis Center, a Detroit homeless shelter, used its donations to continue providing meals, showers and clothing to homeless people. Photo provided by Pope Francis Center.
Person in personal protective attire stoops before a seated person in heavy thermal coat while masked person in hoodie looks on.
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The Greater Cleveland (Ohio) Food Bank has delivered more than 20 million pounds of food to some 800 community organizations that distribute meals to families. Photo provided by GlobalGiving, Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
COVID-19 Response poster
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In Olympia, Wash., the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington received a grant to remain open under state COVID-19 restriction guidelines and provide essential childcare services. The grant was used to replace fund-raising opportunities lost due the pandemic. Photo provided by Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington.
Six children on a floor marked in grid with Xs separating the students. Adult sits in chair in the background.
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In San Clemente, Calif., the Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area used its donation to deliver nearly 25,000 meals and home activity kits to low-income families during stay-at-home restrictions. Photo provided by Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area.
Two males, one holding a banana box the other holding a plastic bag with food container outside logoed van.
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In Vietnam, Centre of Live and Learn for Environment and Community, is using its donations to provide meals and face masks to 80 classroom of visually impaired students in Ha Noi. Some 120 families in Hoan Kiem were given food baskets, face masks and supermarket gift cards. And four tons of rice were donated to Ho Chi Minh residents, and some 150 students of Ho Chi Minh University of Technology were given 2,250 meals and SIM cards. Photo provided by GlobalGiving, Centre of Live and Learn for Environment and Community.
Person in camouflage hoodie unloads truck bed on rainy Vietnamese street.
In Madrid, Spain, Apadrina La Ciencia received match funds for laboratories making COVID-19 tests specifically for the elderly in nursing homes, resulting in the administration of some 1,500 additional tests. Additionally, the lab used some funds to study the SARS-CoV-2 virus to better understand pandemic science. Photo provided by Apadrina La Ciencia.
In Italy, helped 525 low-income families transition to online learning for their young children during strict quarantine orders. The agencies received donations to provide electronic devices, technological training and emotional support. Photo provided by Mission Bambini.
In Craiova, Romania, match funds were donated to Asociatia Club Rotary Craiova Probitas to partner with a large dealer network, Ion Tiriac Foundation, to purchase virus testing equipment and increase daily tests by 10-fold at the community hospital. Photo provided by Asociatia Club Rotary Craiova Probitas.
In Tamilnadu, India, the Indian Association for the Blind used its donations to provide financial support to more than 250 families with visually challenged members to help pay for groceries, medications and rent. Photo provided by Indian Association for the Blind.
Teach for Taiwan, which works to provide education equality, used its donations to purchase electronic tablets for school children maintaining their classes online. Photo provided by GlobalGiving, Teach for Taiwan.
Istanbul, Turkey, houses one of the country’s oldest and largest teaching hospitals. With nearly 1,500 beds and 3,500 medical students, personal protection equipment was at a premium. Donations went to Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty to supply masks and other supplies to healthcare workers. Photo provided by Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty.
In South Africa, the Waqful Waqifin Foundation, Gift of the Givers, used its donations to fortify its work of distributing food and cleaning supplies to low-income residents while testing people in triage tents erected at key hospitals, serving more than 120 hospitals and clinics across the country and delivering some 30,000 food boxes to families. Photo provided by Waqful Waqifin Foundation.
Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce is a philanthropic institution that houses one of the largest free healthcare complexes in Brazil. It used its donations to feed nearly 1,200 families for a month and deliver almost 20,000 lunches to homeless citizens. Photo provided by Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce.
In Mexico City, Mexico, Proyecto Mexico received funds to operate a temporary food pantry and delivery services. Families of up to eight people received food boxes packed with high nutritional items. Groceries were collected, packaged and delivered to family who couldn’t leave their homes. Photo provided by Proyecto Mexico.
Based in Ontario, Canada, the David McAntony Gibson Foundation, used its donations to distribute 35,000 hygiene kits; 150,000 kg (330,700 lbs) of dried food; as well as 26,000 “thank you” gifts to frontline workers who are caring for the most vulnerable in their communities. Photo provided by David McAntony Gibson Foundation.
The Detroit-based United Way for Southeastern Michigan awarded 580 grants to local nonprofit agencies, childcare facilities and community centers. Photo provided by United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
The Pope Francis Center, a Detroit homeless shelter, used its donations to continue providing meals, showers and clothing to homeless people. Photo provided by Pope Francis Center.
The Greater Cleveland (Ohio) Food Bank has delivered more than 20 million pounds of food to some 800 community organizations that distribute meals to families. Photo provided by GlobalGiving, Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
In Olympia, Wash., the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington received a grant to remain open under state COVID-19 restriction guidelines and provide essential childcare services. The grant was used to replace fund-raising opportunities lost due the pandemic. Photo provided by Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington.
In San Clemente, Calif., the Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area used its donation to deliver nearly 25,000 meals and home activity kits to low-income families during stay-at-home restrictions. Photo provided by Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area.
In Vietnam, Centre of Live and Learn for Environment and Community, is using its donations to provide meals and face masks to 80 classroom of visually impaired students in Ha Noi. Some 120 families in Hoan Kiem were given food baskets, face masks and supermarket gift cards. And four tons of rice were donated to Ho Chi Minh residents, and some 150 students of Ho Chi Minh University of Technology were given 2,250 meals and SIM cards. Photo provided by GlobalGiving, Centre of Live and Learn for Environment and Community.
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About Ford Motor Company Fund
As the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund's mission is to strengthen communities and help make people's lives better. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in more than 60 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services. Ford employs approximately 190,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
About GlobalGiving
GlobalGiving makes it safe and easy for individuals and companies to give to local projects anywhere in the world, providing nonprofits with the training and support they need to become more effective. Since 2002, GlobalGiving has helped raise more than $450 million from more than one million donors and has worked with more than 350 corporate partners. GlobalGiving vets and supports organizations in 170 countries, so when disasters like COVID-19 occur, GlobalGiving can quickly deliver funds to community-driven organizations that are best-suited to provide relief in their communities. GlobalGiving is a top-rated (4-star) charity on Charity Navigator and accredited by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. For more information on our corporate giving programs, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..