• Last year, 82 percent of Ford and Lincoln dealers contributed financially and 95 percent volunteered time to local causes, according to annual Ford Survey on Dealer Giving

• Ford and Lincoln dealers donated nearly $100 million and volunteered nearly 1 million hours in 2014

• Six dealers honored with this year’s Salute to Dealers awards, as well as provided $10,000 each from Ford Motor Company Fund for charity use

Ford and Lincoln dealers gave nearly $100 million to local causes and nonprofits in communities across the United States in 2014, according to Ford Motor Company’s annual Survey on Dealer Giving.

The survey was administered by Ford to coincide with the 15th annual Salute to Dealers awards at the 2015 National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in San Francisco.

Ford and Lincoln dealers participating in the survey donated approximately $97 million. This generosity reflects Ford Motor Company’s global brand promise to Go Further in delivering great products, a strong business and a better world.

Ford’s Salute to Dealers awards recognize dealers who go above and beyond when it comes to giving back to the communities in which they live and work. Six dealers were selected from among more than 8,500 Ford Motor Company dealers worldwide. They are being recognized for exhibiting unparalleled giving, dedication and leadership to their communities. As part of the award, the Ford Motor Company Fund is providing $60,000 – $10,000 for each recipient – to a charity the dealers support that is also aligned with Ford goals. 

In the survey, 82 percent of participating dealers said they give money to local causes, 95 percent volunteer time to local causes, while 85 percent want to make a difference in their communities and 57 percent support local causes as a dealership tradition.

Ford and Lincoln dealer employees volunteer a combined total of 809,160 hours annually, the survey shows. This donation of time and support is a boon for local charities, with many reporting budget and staff shortages.

“These amazing results exemplify the pattern of caring and compassion we have come to recognize among Ford dealers across the globe,” said Edsel B. Ford II, who chairs the Salute to Dealers awards program and is a member of the Ford board of directors. “We know that regardless of the challenges our dealers face, contributing at this level is done not just out of a sense of duty, but out of a passion they share with their employees and customers.”

Dealers give to causes that address a broad range of community needs – from children’s charities to the environment, from education and healthcare to parks, municipal services and disaster relief.

Children’s causes top the list, with 80 percent of dealers donating, followed by education and scholarships, with 59 percent of dealers contributing. Religious-driven charities attract 46 percent of Ford and Lincoln dealer contributions, veterans’ causes account for 44 percent and hunger relief makes up 41 percent.

The Salute to Dealers awards were launched in 2001 to demonstrate Ford’s commitment to its thousands of dealer owners who step beyond their showroom doors to make a difference.

This year, Edsel B. Ford II and three other judges selected winners from a total global field of 80 nominees located in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, Africa and the Middle East regions.

A painted portrait of each honoree features a montage of philanthropic and volunteer activities that led to the award. Duplicates of the portraits will join a Salute to Dealers display in the lobby of Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.

This year’s winners include:

Andre Rafael R. Borromeo, Ford Tacloban; Tacloban City, Philippines
Through the years, Andre Rafael Borromeo has positively affected countless lives through his humanitarian and charitable efforts and his participation in community development projects. When a major typhoon hit Tacloban in 2013 and destroyed his dealership, Borromeo and his staff provided transportation, food, clothing and shelter to those who had lost their homes. He secured vehicles to transport victims to safe locations and supported a group of foreign volunteers by sending additional manpower to assist their medical mission. He also established a new local water system, a vocational school for the deaf, and annually provides university scholarships to local students.

Robert Elder, Elder Ford of Tampa; Tampa, Florida, United States
Robert Elder has a deep-rooted commitment to his community as witnessed by his leadership roles in numerous charitable organizations and causes. In an effort to fight childhood obesity through physical activities, Elder cofounded the Replay Tampa Bay charity with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission to provide children with sporting goods in lieu of toys at Christmas. As a result, thousands of bicycles and other items have been donated annually. Elder also raises funds for wounded military personnel and veterans, benefiting Green Beret Foundation, Foundation for Exceptional Warriors and local veteran charities.

Nas Khan, Jennings Ford Middlesbrough; Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
Nas Khan has devoted much of his career to spearheading projects, and supporting charities and nonprofits that improve the lives of others. When a major earthquake hit the Kashmir area and subsequent floods devastated Pakistan, where Nas is originally from, he began raising funds for improvement, which evolved into an initiative for building a new village for flood victims. The village includes 60 completed homes, wells that provide clean drinking water, and livestock to help rebuild and sustain the community.

Ronald F. Kody, Richmond Ford Lincoln; Richmond, Virginia, United States
Ronald Kody is actively involved with a wide variety of causes in the greater Richmond area representing health, safety and education. In addition to being the annual title sponsor for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, his dealership hosts the annual St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Radiothon. Kody and his staff open their store six weeks prior to the event each year, with fundraising, test drives and other promotional activities offered.

Gary L. Uftring, Uftring Ford; East Peoria, Illinois, United States
Gary Uftring’s commitment to giving back to his community is exemplified by The Uftring Ambassadors, an initiative that empowers dealership employees to donate and become personally involved with helping many different organizations across their community. In addition to the many walks, food drives and charitable donations, last fall Uftring and his ambassadors addressed the devastation caused by a major tornado that ravaged the area. They repaired flat tires for local families and loaned vehicles at no charge for several weeks after the storm. Team members also volunteered countless hours helping families affected by the tornado to clean and repair their homes.

Miguel Zapata, Ford Zapata; Tlalnepantla, Mexico
Miguel Zapata and his entire family have a deep and ongoing commitment to improving the health and welfare of those in need in their community. In addition to funding a 5,000-patient rural clinic each summer, they are devoted to Proyecto Niño – a far-reaching charity begun by Zapata’s father and the Rotarian organization. Over the years, the program has expanded to meet a wide spectrum of needs in impoverished communities, providing help to infants, children, adults, seniors and even pets.