Ford Philanthropy: Showing Up in Times of Need

• 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. 

• 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. 

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.