Each September, Ford celebrates Global Caring Month, a month-long community service initiative that encourages employees to design their own volunteer projects. This annual event mobilizes thousands of Ford employees across the globe to engage in volunteer projects that address the pressing needs of the communities where they live and work. This September, we have 189 projects in 30 countries, including building homes, renovating schools, cleaning up parks, installing clean water systems, distributing fresh food and more in Ford communities worldwide.
This year Ford Philanthropy and GlobalGiving, Ford Philanthropy’s international grant-making partner, provided grants of up to USD $10,000 to selected nonprofit organizations for tools and supplies to complete the project. Since Global Caring Month began in 2006, Ford has engaged nearly 100,000 Ford employees who have used their skills, creativity, and energy on more than 2,000 community impact projects in 45+ countries.
For years, communications manager Meredith Libbey and her team in Nashville have partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank during Global Caring Month. This year, Meredith shared, “We’ll fill about 2,000 backpacks with food for children who will take them home from school on Friday afternoons. Thanks to a grant from Ford Philanthropy, we help keep children from going hungry over the weekend, so we know Ford’s making a difference for thousands of kids.”
This spirit of caring also extends across the globe, taking different forms to meet local needs. In Germany for instance, Senior Project Engineer Fahrettin Isikdemir and the MENA Turkish Chapter are mentoring students in partnership with Stiftung Bildung & Egitim, encouraging them to aim higher. "Education plays an important role in the progress of a community...acting as a mentor contributes to my personal and professional growth,” Fahrettin says. These stories aren't unique – they're at the heart of what Global Caring Month is all about.
Want to work for a company that supports your commitment to making the world a better place? U.S. salaried employees are entitled to 16 hours of paid community service annually. Learn more at https://spr.ly/6042WFg3I . #WeAreFord #FordPhilanthropy