Ford has a long history of supporting communities, and we couldn't accomplish what we do without Ford employees and dealers.
Last June, we launched Ford Building Together, a unique community program that unites the full power of Ford to help our non-profit partners all around the world. We’ve always believed that making a real difference goes far beyond just writing a check. Our true superpower is our ability to bring the full force of Ford to the table — combining philanthropic funding with Ford’s vehicles, vast dealer network, and passionate employee volunteers.
We created Ford Building Together because we know we can achieve so much more together than we can alone. By working hand in hand with incredible partners — like American Red Cross, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, Team Rubicon, and World Central Kitchen — we are ensuring they can scale their operations and reach more people when they need it most.
A Year of Impact
I am incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together in the year since we launched Ford Building Together. Here are a few examples of that collective impact in action:
- Showing up when disaster strikes: When crises hit Central Texas, the Philippines, and other areas, we rose to the occasion. We quickly aligned emergency funding and coordinated with local dealers and volunteers to get vehicles on the ground and help communities recover.
- Feeding our neighbors: Last September, Ford dealers across 30 countries mobilized to collect more than 2 million pounds of food for local food banks. It was the largest auto dealer food drive of its kind in the world.
- Volunteering from the heart: Our employees are truly the heart of Ford. During Global Caring Month, thousands of our employee volunteers completed over 175 community service projects across 32 countries.
Marking Milestones and Looking Ahead
This week’s one year Building Together milestone doesn’t just coincide with Ford’s own birthday — it also comes as we gear up to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Ford’s core values of ingenuity, hard work, and a fundamental commitment to caring for our neighbors are deeply woven into the fabric of the American story. These values aren’t just a part of our history; they define who we are today.
To honor this legacy and keep driving meaningful, sustainable impact, we have a full lineup of Ford Building Together activities planned this summer and the rest of the year.
Today, we’re hosting a “Takeover Day” at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, giving our employees a wonderful opportunity to engage directly with and support our core nonprofit partners. And, in a nod to America’s 250th, 250 Ford dealers across the U.S. are stepping up to bring the spirit of service directly to their neighborhoods.
Later this month, we’ll bring our year-one journey full circle right where it began in Detroit, dedicating a completed Habitat for Humanity home to a local family. This will be an especially meaningful moment because the house frames were built by Ford volunteers during last summer's Ford Building Together launch.
And, continuing the momentum globally, Ford’s dealer network is mobilizing for the return of the Global Dealer Food Drive in September, and our teams will unite for hands-on, employee-led volunteer projects during Global Caring Month.
Ford Building Together is a living demonstration of our commitment to standing with our neighbors, supporting communities through good times and bad, and building a stronger, more resilient future for generations to come. Every day, we prove that when we bring together everything that makes Ford special, we can do so much more than we ever imagined.
As we look ahead, we are taking everything we’ve learned over the past year to ensure we are making a real difference, and we invite you to join us. Whether you volunteer your time, make a donation, or simply help us spread the word, your support makes a world of difference.
Together, we can build stronger communities.
Mary Culler is president of Ford Philanthropy
