For more than 122 years, Ford has stood with communities through good times and bad. As a family company, Ford is driven by strong values and a deep commitment to service and philanthropy – values shared by our employees and dealers – since day one. We know we accomplish so much more when we all rally around a common purpose, and that’s at the heart of Ford Building Together.
“Global Caring Month is where we really see Ford Building Together in action.” says Mary Culler, President of Ford Philanthropy. “It’s inspiring to see our employee volunteers step up every year with such commitment, working side-by-side with our non-profit partners to help neighbours right in our own backyards. Giving back is at our core at Ford, and it’s how we help build stronger, more resilient communities for generations to come.”
Recognising that the needs of local communities are rapidly evolving around the world, Ford is proud to announce Ford Building Together in South Africa. This global initiative brings the full power of Ford’s resources, expertise, and passionate employees together to support nonprofit organisations, and programming centered around community development, education, food security and disaster relief and recovery.
In South Africa, Ford has a long history of supporting local communities for many decades. As part of this global expansion, Ford Building Together will intensify efforts here in South Africa to improve the lives of the nation’s most vulnerable who face the scourges of poverty, inequality and unemployment daily.
It’s well known that the country has massive inequities in areas like access to primary and neonatal healthcare, opportunities for education, and food-, water-, and energy-security. These inequities are increasingly compounded by the impacts of climate change, which drive extreme weather and hit the most vulnerable first and hardest, threatening millions’ access to health, dignity, longevity, and their human rights to a better life.
NPOs face considerable challenges in terms of resources, so the support of the private sector is absolutely crucial to their operations, and by extension, to the welfare of the communities they support.
“Bringing the ‘full power of Ford’ means more than just financial contributions,” said Neale Hill, President, Ford Motor Company, Africa.” It’s about leveraging our philanthropic giving, employee passion, company expertise, and our dealer network to show up for communities in good times and bad. By bringing all these strengths together, we can make a tangible, lasting difference.”
This September, the Ford Building Together initiatives in South Africa include:
- Global Ford Dealers Hosting Food Drives: Ford dealers around the world are working side by side to address food security including in South Africa. This effort demonstrates the power to address a critical need on a global scale. In partnership with trusted non-profits, food banks, local food pantries, customers and the community are invited to join us by bringing non-perishable goods to participating Ford dealers. In South Africa, members of the public can visit https://www.ford.co.za/locate-a-dealer/ to find the nearest Ford dealer and help make a difference by participating in the food drive.
- Leading Over 180 Volunteer Projects Worldwide: As part of Ford’s annual support of Global Caring Month, Ford employees and their families worldwide are expected to engage in over 180 of volunteer projects in 30 countries worldwide. In South Africa, we support 31 projects across our Silverton and Struandale plants, as well as through our nationwide dealer network.
- Spotlighting the Impact of Non-profit Partners: We will bring visibility to the important work these partners do and what communities need through our outreach and communications channels.
“Nearly every community faces hunger to some degree, and the Ford dealer food drive is our chance to support the organisations that help so many on a daily basis, collecting nonperishable items based on local need,” said Elena Ford, Chief Dealer Engagement Officer, Ford Motor Company “With more than 9,000 dealers globally, our collective impact, alongside our dealers that already do so much locally, can make a real difference around the world building communities.”
This work builds on Ford’s long and proud history partnering with non-profits in South Africa. We have decades of legacy of supporting: Education, Community Development, Mobility, Entrepreneurship and Disaster Relief. Now, with the support of our partners, we have a shared objective of strengthening communities for the future and rebuilding them to be more resilient for generations to come.
