Ford Fund Invests $5M to Bridge Transportation Gaps in U.S.

Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of the automotive giant, has announced a groundbreaking $5 million investment aimed at addressing transportation challenges in its hometown communities and beyond. The initiative focuses on tackling the stark reality that one in four Americans lacks access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options, which significantly hampers their ability to access crucial services and economic opportunities.

Ford’s commitment to nurturing resilient communities aligns with its ethos of supporting the locales where its employees live and work. As the employer of a substantial number of UAW-represented autoworkers, with 24 active U.S. plant communities engaged in local causes, Ford’s philanthropic spirit drives these investments in cities with a significant manufacturing presence.

Partnering with over a dozen nonprofit organizations, Ford Fund endeavors to bridge the gap between transportation-limited communities and crucial resources and services, including healthcare and fresh food. Among its key collaborators are the United Way of Southeastern Michigan’s “Ride United” program and Feonix – Mobility Rising, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating transportation barriers in under-resourced communities.

Valerie Lefler, Executive Director, and Founder of Feonix – Mobility Rising expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Ford Motor Company Fund. She highlighted how this investment would not only create life-changing impacts for local residents but also generate valuable data and mobility service insights that can be scaled across the nation.

Ford Fund’s commitment of $600,000 to Feonix – Mobility Rising will fuel the launch of three innovative mobility programs in two Ford communities. In Detroit, the “Grocery Express” program will facilitate transportation to and from local grocery stores, ensuring access to food for 200 Detroiters weekly. Additionally, the “Access to Care” pilot will offer rides to and from medical appointments for maternal health patients in Detroit. In West Tennessee, a new Transportation Assistance Hub by Feonix – Mobility Rising will connect individuals to existing transportation resources and establish tailored mobility operations to address rural community needs in Stanton and the surrounding region.

Alex Buznego, Senior Manager of Mobility Programs at the Ford Fund, emphasized the critical role of safe and reliable transportation in breaking the cycle of poverty. He highlighted that these investments are designed to foster grassroots collaborations, specifically aiming to bridge access gaps for underserved communities, leading to opportunities in healthcare, fresh food access, employment, and education.

In Michigan, where 38 percent of households struggle to afford basic needs like transportation, Ford Fund’s commitment of $250,000 will bolster the Ride United program. This support aims to assist Detroiters in reinstating suspended driver’s licenses, covering essential car repairs, acquiring vehicles, accessing on-demand rides, and integrating with broader United Way support services. Megan Thibos, Director of Community Impact Innovation, emphasized the program’s impact in overcoming deep-rooted transportation barriers, citing instances where clients regained their driver’s licenses after long suspensions, enabled by this initiative.

Apart from its collaboration with Feonix – Mobility Rising and the United Way’s Ride United program, Ford Fund’s commitment extends to several other impactful organizations and initiatives:

Disabled American Veterans: Continuing a century-long partnership, providing transportation to and from medical appointments for veterans nationwide.

Wayne Mobile Health Unit: Expanding healthcare access by delivering wellness checks and prescription management programs to Detroit neighborhoods.

Vision to Learn: Offering free mobile eye care services, including exams and glasses, to students in Northeast Ohio, near Ford’s Ohio Assembly Plant and Ford’s Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1.

DoorDash: Delivering groceries and meals from food banks in Detroit, Louisville, and West Tennessee to individuals and communities with limited transportation.

Ford Fund’s commitment doesn’t stop there. Additional grants will support various organizations such as the Detroit Bus Company, EVHybridnoire, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Governors Highway Safety Association, League of American Cyclists, Strive 4 A Safer Drive, and Teen Street Skills.

This monumental investment by Ford Motor Company Fund isn’t just a financial contribution but a testament to the company’s dedication to fostering inclusive, empowered communities across the nation, ensuring that transportation barriers no longer impede access to fundamental resources and opportunities. It signifies a visionary step towards creating a more equitable and accessible future for all.

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