Ford Supports Communities Devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Ford and its dealers have a long history of supporting people during times of need. For 75 years, the company, along with its philanthropic arm, Ford Philanthropy, has prioritized supporting our communities and our country.

With the increase in weather-related disasters, these efforts are more critical than ever. The company is providing disaster relief in the Southeast through grants, vehicles, mobility expertise and volunteer efforts. Ford is also mobilizing and training employee volunteers.

Ford Philanthropy has awarded grants to national and local disaster relief partners over the years and is currently matching donations to three partners — Team Rubicon, the American Red Cross and Feeding America — providing an additional $600,000 in support.

Numerous efforts are underway in support of communities impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, including those outlined below.

Team Rubicon

In response to Hurricane Helene, Team Rubicon -- a veteran-led humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief before, during and after crises -- deployed operations in Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Route clearance teams are also currently responding to Hurricane Milton.

Ford Philanthropy contributed to Team Rubicon and is matching donations up to $100,000. This is in addition to Ford’s ongoing $5.8 million, five-year commitment to Team Rubicon, which includes a fleet of F-150 trucks, Super Duty trucks and Broncos, employee volunteer support and philanthropic investment.

Donate to Team Rubicon

Ford Dealers Take Action

Ford and its dealers are stepping up to support communities in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Local dealers are creating dedicated fleets of loaner vehicles to ensure Team Rubicon has the resources necessary to assist local communities, still reeling from Hurricane Helene. Most of these vehicles will have Pro Power Onboard to support in power outages, to power equipment, and to keep perishable food safe.

Ford Employees

Ford’s employees are devoted to volunteerism. That’s why Bill Ford started the Volunteer Corps in 2005. To most effectively support communities and our partners, Ford has extended the company-Volunteer Paid Time Off policy from 16 hours to 56 hours (an additional 40 hours) to allow for more flexibility for employees to deploy with Team Rubicon and other select longer-term opportunities.

Employees can learn more about this policy here, and can volunteer with Team Rubicon (known as “Greyshirts”) through the Ford Volunteer Corps.

Last week, Ford hosted training for Texas-based employees and dealers to expand Team Rubicon’s volunteer pool. Executive Chair Bill Ford attended to encourage participation. Many employees have signed up, and more have expressed interest.

Red Cross

Ford has supported the American Red Cross for 75 years and continues to do so during this storm season. The Red Cross has nearly 500 disaster workers on the ground, with hundreds more en route to respond to Hurricane Helene.

The Red Cross has also deployed numerous emergency response vehicles. When conditions allow, Red Cross responders will assess damage and distribute meals and supplies.

Donate to the American Red Cross

Feeding America

Ford’s support for Feeding America includes both grant funding and volunteer engagement, including for direct response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

This year alone more than 700 Ford employees volunteered over 4,000 hours at their local food banks and agencies. We are also supplying Feeding America with 150 pallets of bottled water for use in areas where drinking water is in short supply.

Donate to Feeding America

World Central Kitchen

As we seek to provide holistic support to communities impacted by disasters, Ford Philanthropy is also enhancing our relationship with World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides fresh meals to people in need during times of crisis.

Ford Philanthropy also supported World Central Kitchen in the aftermath of Hurricanes Ian and Maria in 2022.

Ford Philanthropy's Hyperlocal Donations

Ford Philanthropy also provided grants to Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, United Way of Citrus County Florida, United Way of East Tennessee Highlands, and Habitat for Humanity International to help address immediate local needs in severely impacted areas.

Building on a collaboration that started with Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, we've also partnered with the Hispanic Federation to provide care to those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with a focus on the most vulnerable – those often unserved such as farmworkers, meat and poultry workers, and Spanish and indigenous language speakers.

Additional Efforts

Dublin Ford distributed 1,200 barbecue meals to residents without water or power.

Ford at BlueOval City is partnering with community leaders to send bottled water and other much-needed supplies to our neighbors in East Tennessee.

Additionally, the Ford Lima Engine Plant and UAW Local 1219 are organizing donation drives for Hurricane Helene victims.

We've observed that the use of Pro Power Onboard -- standard on F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid and F-150 Lightning -- has increased more than sixfold in order to get power where it's needed.

Ford Credit and Lincoln AFS are also offering payment extensions of up to 60 days to eligible customers in counties eligible for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Interest may accrue on deferred payments.

The fastest way for customers buying their vehicles to request an extension is by visiting www.ford.com/finance or through the Ford Credit app. They may also call, and lease customers must call, 1-800-723-4016 to request disaster relief.