Henry Ford II presenting check to American Red Cross
Ford Motor Company Fund (now Ford Philanthropy) was established during a period of recession and economic decline. When Henry Ford II observed that traditional sources of financial support for nonprofits were beginning to fade after World War II, he created the company’s philanthropic arm in 1949 to help fill the void and bolster funding for organizations that were providing much-needed services and support to communities.
Ford Philanthropy distributes food and supplies in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria
The need to support and uplift communities is particularly urgent during the hours, days and weeks following a natural disaster. Ford Philanthropy has been committed to supporting worldwide disaster relief and recovery since 1999, when a catastrophic earthquake struck Turkey and Ford deployed vehicles, volunteers and other lifesaving aid in the region. Some of the first major projects of the Ford Volunteer Corps supported relief efforts following an earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Ford and Team Rubicon volunteers at a hurricane cleanup deployment in Florida
Building on more than 25 years of support for disaster response organizations across the U.S. and around the world, Ford and Ford Philanthropy expanded their relationship with veteran-led disaster relief organization Team Rubicon in 2023 and launched Team Rubicon Powered by Ford – a multi-year initiative that includes vehicle donations, a philanthropic investment and an employee volunteer program. The investments help expand Team Rubicon’s ability to provide no-cost services to vulnerable communities in the wake of the growing number of disasters and crises.
PPE face mask production
PPE face mask donation shipment
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the company began producing ventilators and personal protective equipment in partnership with the UAW, Ford Philanthropy led an effort to donate over 120 million medical-grade masks to nonprofits, first responders and local organizations in all 50 states. The philanthropy also directed more than $3 million in emergency funding to nonprofits and led an employee donation match program that raised more than $1.1 million to support the COVID relief efforts of 47 community organizations in 20 countries.
