Ford Motor Company Expands Local Support; Tops $1 Million to Atlanta Community Over 2 Years

DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Ford Motor Company Fund is contributing more than $1 million in the Atlanta area over two years to support non-profits and various educational initiatives with the addition of $600,000 of new contributions this year as part of its Operation Goodwill.
• Since 2000, Ford has contributed more than $23 million to Atlanta area charitable organizations benefiting the broader community at large.
• Ford has contributed more money in more communities over its 107-year history than any other automaker. 

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and its community relations arm, Ford Motor Company Fund (Ford Fund), announced today that with the addition of $600,000 of new contributions this year, the Ford Fund will exceed $1 million in donations during the two year period of 2011-2012 to support community initiatives.  Through its Operation Goodwill Atlanta project, Ford Fund and local Ford and Lincoln dealers are expanding their engagement with non-profit partners in areas of community need.

Ford Fund already has contributed more than $23 million to Atlanta-area charitable organizations since 2000. Ford has contributed more money in more communities in its 107-year history than any other automaker.  

"My customers, employees, family and friends are very proud to say they are connected to Ford Motor Company in ways they never imagined. It is so nice to see a company give back to the community and actually get involved on a local level," said Mike Vigil dealer, Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln.

A portion of this contribution will go to support the Atlanta Community Food Bank which provides more than 25 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to more than 700 partner nonprofit agencies throughout metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Ford Fund's contribution will provide transportation and operation assistance to bring food to more families in need.

"We are committed to helping meet the growing needs in this community during these challenging times," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "Ford Motor Company has been investing in Atlanta for decades, and we are committed to continuing our role as an important corporate citizen in the community."

Other organizations receiving support include Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Tech, Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and more.

Bill Bolling, Executive Director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, notes: "Ford Motor Company Fund understands the needs of our community and has been here to support the Atlanta region for many years. The contributions made by the Ford Fund will greatly benefit citizens of our community, and we are very grateful for Ford to continue this support despite tough economic conditions. Ford is a company that truly cares about the communities where it does business."  

In addition Ford Fund has brought the award-winning teen safe driving program "Ford Driving Skills for Life" to Atlanta, which provides hands-on skills training for new teen drivers; and the "Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies" (Ford PAS), a high school curriculum that provides students with the academic and 21st–century workplace skills needed to be successful in college and high-wage, high-skills jobs in a global economy.  

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in dozens of countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company