In light of the financial fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford Motor Company Fund has announced both a donation match and a virtual “Read and Record” project aimed at providing support to nonprofits and community groups in more than 20 countries as they struggle with coronavirus-related matters. Both projects invite Ford employees from around the globe to play their part while also complying with their region’s respective stay-at-home recommendations.
“During trying times, Ford employees are used to being the boots on the ground – getting out, signing up and pitching in to help make a difference,” shared Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Company Fund in a press release sent out on Wednesday. “Even now, while many are sheltering in place at home, our employees are looking for ways to help. These two new programs offer meaningful ways for employees to give back and join in the fight against COVID-19.”
FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND DONATION MATCH
THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND DIRECT MATCH.
The first of the initiatives, the Donation Match program, is a combined effort between the Ford Fund and Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford. The Fund stated that it would match $500,000 in donations to designated community organizations in the fight against COVID-19, raising in total a potential $1 million for groups battling the pandemic across the globe.
The project will be managed by GlobalGiving, Ford’s longtime disaster relief and global grant-making partner, and it aims to support community projects in locations that have both a substantial level of emergency need and a significant Ford employee presence. Some of the projects will focus on addressing hunger, shelter and mobility needs, while also providing educational resources, or delivering critical medical supplies and services to communities impacted by COVID-19.
Employees and others who are interested in donating can view a full list here of participating countries as well as cities across the United States that are taking part. Those interested may also learn more about community projects they can support, and GlobalGiving will add new projects and additional details over the coming weeks.
The Ford Motor Company Fund encouraged all who are interested to check back often for updates as the project goes on.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND “READ AND RECORD”
FORD FUND READ AND RECORD
The second initiative announced by the Ford Motor Company Fund is the “Read and Record” virtual volunteering project, which invites Ford employees from around the world to record and submit videos of themselves reading a children’s book in their own language. The project is designed to allow Ford employees to give back while self-isolating and maintaining social distancing in their own homes and builds on Ford Fund’s existing efforts to increase literacy and promote reading around the globe.
Once completed, the recordings will be held in an online library and will be cataloged by language, and multilingual employees are encouraged to read in languages other than English. The Fund plans to share the library with various philanthropic groups that serve children and families in need.
To further assist employees, their families, or anyone looking for things to do while at home during quarantine measures, the Ford Motor Company Fund is also compiling a library of COVID-19 related volunteer opportunities and free online resources offered by some of its community partners. Available at www.fordfund.org/covid19, the activities include virtual tours, downloadable worksheets, online tutorials, videos. According to the Fund’s press release, all projects are aimed at helping to entertain, educate, or inspire people of all ages.
The site’s “How You Can Help” page also outlines ways employees can contribute to specific nonprofit needs for volunteers or donations of critical medical supplies.
Previously, the Fund worked with Ford of China to provide face masks and other protective gear needed during the initial breakout of the virus in the country. As the crisis spread in the United States, the Ford Fund began to concentrate on taking immediate action at the local level, and Ford engineers, researchers, and suppliers are designing and manufacturing masks, respirators, ventilators and other crucial medical equipment needed for healthcare workers, first responders, and patients battling COVID-19.
To learn more about the automaker’s recent moves and efforts related to COVID-19, click here.
