Ford Motor Company Fund announced two new and unique opportunities for Ford employees around the globe to give back and join in the fight against COVID-19 while observing the stay-at-home protocol.

In a combined effort between Ford Fund and Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford, the COVID-19 Donation Match was set to match $500,000 in donations to designated community organizations in more than 20 countries, raising a potential $1 million for groups battling the pandemic across the globe.

“During trying times, Ford employees are used to being the boots on the ground – getting out, signing up and pitching in to help make a difference,” said Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Company Fund.

Make a donation to make a difference

Ford Fund is giving Ford employees, as well as their families and friends, an opportunity to make a donation to support nonprofits and other community organizations in their efforts as they cope with coronavirus-related issues.

The COVID-19 Donation Match is managed by GlobalGiving, Ford’s longtime disaster relief and global grant-making partner, that supports community projects in locations that have both a significant level of emergency need and a substantial Ford employee presence.

In the Philippines, Ford is aiming to raise $25,000 to support Gawad Kalinga for its relief and rehabilitation operation “Walang Iwanan, Walang Hawaan” program directed towards vulnerable communities economically affected by the enhanced community quarantine. The proceeds of the donation will be allocated for relief efforts, particularly the provision of food packs to 1,200 vulnerable and less-privileged families in Gawad Kalinga communities in Visayas.

The donation will also help fund the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), tools and supplies needed by volunteers who will facilitate the relief efforts on-ground to ensure their own safety and protection.

Virtual volunteering

Ford Fund is also releasing a new “Read and Record” virtual volunteering project, an online library of Ford employees reading children’s books for the 1.3 billion children and youth affected by school closings around the world.

The “Read and Record” virtual volunteering project encourages Ford employees from around the world to record and submit videos reading a children’s book in their own language. Ford Fund plans to share the library with philanthropic groups that serve children and families.

Furthermore, Ford engineers, researchers, and suppliers are designing and manufacturing masks, respirators, ventilators and other critical medical equipment and supplies for healthcare workers, first responders, and patients fighting COVID-19.

Employees, dealer partners and employees, partners, as well as the general public can donate by visiting the Global Giving website – Gawad Kalinga COVID-19 response (https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/gawad-kalinga-covid-19-response/) and clicking “Donate Now”.