Community Updates

Philanthropy Spotlight:
Bill Ford Better World Challenge

Published 7 years ago | About a 3 minute read

Successful corporate philanthropy programs should tie back to a company's core business values, and have strong leadership and support from the top. If a company's corporate giving strategy doesn't align with their community presence or overarching goals, efforts can be less impactful or appear disjointed. The Ford Motor Company Fund, Ford's philanthropic arm, is leading the charge as an example of getting it right in today's evolving world of corporate giving.

The Bill Ford Better World Challenge, jointly funded by Bill Ford personally and Ford Motor Company Fund, was introduced in 2015 as part of the celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the Ford Volunteer Corps. The program aims to give employee volunteers the opportunity to work with local groups in communities around the globe where Ford does business. The Challenge encourages employees and community partners to submit ideas that will create sustainable solutions focused on mobility and basics such as food, shelter or water-related issues.

A year in to the initiative, results are already impacting local communities. In isolated villages across eastern Thailand, one Bill Ford Better World Challenge grant is already an example of how successful philanthropy can empower communities. Ford volunteers have joined with local communities in Chanthaburi province, about 240Km (130 miles) from Bangkok, to upgrade clean water access through several projects including purification systems, wash basins and restrooms at nine rural schools.

Additionally, Ford volunteers and others have planted hundreds of banana trees, built an oyster mushroom farmhouse, chicken coop and other facilities at one school to grow hydroponic vegetables. Starting in December, local residents began harvesting their locally produced crops. In addition to being served at school lunches, the food is sold to generate income to further expand their school’s agricultural initiatives.

The Thailand Clean Water Community Project, which received a $200,000 grant in 2016, will eventually result in improvements at 13 schools across the province, bringing a better life to 3,300 people. Since it was launched, 200 Ford employees have made the trip to the Chanthaburi region to help with improvements. For many of the residents, the Thailand Clean Water Community project was like a down payment on a better life.

“It is immensely gratifying to not only see how people are benefiting from this grant, but also to know that our employees are playing a huge part in bringing about positive change," said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company.

You can view a video on the Thailand water project here.

Additionally, The Ford Motor Company Fund is currently accepting new grant applications from employees for the initiative’s next big idea. For more information on how to apply, click here.