Military life runs on movement: a Permanent Change of Station move across the country, a long drive to a base, a spouse covering every school run and appointment during a deployment or training. Dependable transportation offers peace of mind and helps families get to the places that matter most.
That's why, ahead of Veterans Day, Ford Philanthropy is building on its commitment to military families by partnering with nonprofits in new ways to extend transportation support.
Ford Has Shown Up for Military Families, Then and Now
Supporting our country and our communities has always been a core Ford value, and we are proud to have supported our military families for more than 120 years. As a family company, we stand with military families: service members, veterans, spouses, children, and caregivers who serve alongside their loved ones.
“Supporting our country and our communities has always been a core Ford value.”Mary Culler, President, Ford Philanthropy
Making Everyday Movement Possible
Ford’s commitment to the military and veteran community began in 1922, when Ford donated 50 Model Ts to the Disabled American Veterans national convention. That gift started what is now our longest-standing corporate partnership with DAV. Today, Ford supports the DAV Transportation Network, which provides more than 230,000 rides a year to veterans nationwide.
Now we're going further, with new support to address gaps and costs in transportation that can create additional stress and keep families from important appointments and activities, and here are a few examples:
- In partnership with Blue Star Families and Catch a Ride Network, we are providing digital Mobility Wallets to help 200 military households in Southern California, Chicago, Kentucky, and Tennessee secure a ride or cover their personal transportation expenses like fuel or vehicle maintenance. That could mean calling a rideshare to get to an appointment, ensuring small repairs don’t keep someone from work, and covering gas for a trip to a health appointment.
- Our support also guarantees more than 2,000 trips to Blue Star Families chapter events that foster community for military families.
- Also, in partnership with Travis Manion Foundation, we are launching a program that provides gas cards and rideshare gift cards to 300 veterans in Detroit and Chicago so they can show up for other veterans and give back.
Helping the Next Generation Get on the Road
Getting a driver's license is a rite of passage, and not easy to accomplish. It's even harder when a parent is deployed and cannot be in the passenger seat to offer guidance and support to their teen.
Ford Philanthropy is partnering with the Governors Highway Safety Association to offer complimentary Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programs — Ford Philanthropy’s driver safety program — to military parents. Teens near Cincinnati and in San Diego participated in the program this year, and in 2027, additional DSFL programs will be offered in Texas, California, and Kentucky so teens can get the important instruction they need while parents are deployed.
What was especially exciting about the San Diego DSFL program was that it took place near Camp Pendleton, down the road from Coronado Naval Base where the very first NASCAR race ever held on a U.S. Navy base took place on June 20, 2026. This was also a great opportunity for Ford to host military families, providing a day of community connection and fun through racing and that intersection continues.
A New Veterans Day Tradition
On November 11, the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, in partnership with NASCAR, starts a new tradition. We hope it gives military and veteran families something to look forward to each year: time together, community, joy, and memories that last long after race day.
You can help extend that impact beyond the track. Every dollar donated to the Proud to Honor Fund, powered by GlobalGiving, goes directly to six nonprofit partners supporting military members, veterans, and their families.
Ford has a long history of supporting military families, and we will continue to find important ways to continue that legacy. As a family company, we recognize that every military family’s journey is different and that every member of a military family makes sacrifices.
As we look to Veteran’s Day, we thank them for all that they do. Please join us in supporting these critical military organizations and their support of those that make sacrifices for us. Learn more about the Proud to Honor Veteran’s Day Classic and support the Proud to Honor Fund.
Mary Culler is the president of Ford Philanthropy.
