FCA Foundation Announces Nearly $900,000 in Educational Grants Supporting Student Achievement

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of North American automaker FCA US LLC, today announced six grants, totaling nearly $900,000, to support academic and nonprofit organizations across the United States that help students – pre-K through post-secondary – build the skills and competencies that support student achievement. Many of these collaborations focus particularly on programs designed to expand science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills and opportunities among youth.

"At FCA, we believe that education is an essential element in creating strong and sustainable communities," said Shane Karr, Head of External Affairs, FCA – North America and President, FCA Foundation. "These grants will help students overcome obstacles, improve academic performance and gain practical skills that will help them succeed and mature into resilient, responsible members of the community."

The FCA Foundation provided grants to the following organizations:

$250,000: Communities In Schools (CIS): Working directly in more than 2,300 low-income schools in 25 states and the District of Columbia, CIS' model of Integrated Student Supports is proven to keep the most vulnerable students in school and on the path to graduation. To do this, CIS' school-based staff work hand-in-hand with teachers, school leaders, community partners and families to identify those students' unique needs and to surround them with a caring network of support.

$25,000: Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP): DAPCEP seeks to increase student interest in STEM topics and assist in the academic preparation needed to graduate from high school and succeed in a university-level STEM curriculum. Through its engagement with numerous corporations, public, charter and private schools, and eight colleges and universities, DAPCEP anticipates that its weekend, in-school, after-school and summer programs will reach nearly 8,000 pre-K to 12th grade students.

$265,000: FIRST in Michigan: Grants will support 76 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams across the United States, helping students offset the costs of competing, including registration fees, parts and materials and team apparel. Additionally, FCA US employees often donate their time and skills to help mentor students and serve as competition coordinators.

$200,000: National College Access Network (NCAN): NCAN works to promote best practices and to build capacity for college access and success through its support of organizations that help underrepresented middle and high school students aspire to, apply to, enter and succeed in college. Focused on connecting with educational institutions, nonprofits, government and businesses within the "high school to college pipeline" and identifying best practices, including targeted advising on academic, career choices, college admissions and financial aid, NCAN touches the lives of 2 million students and families each year.

$50,000: Winning Futures: Through its Life Skills & Career Readiness Mentoring Program, Winning Futures matches at-risk and disadvantaged students with mentors from the metro Detroit business community whom then help teach the life skills necessary to become successful, productive citizens. This year alone, Winning Futures anticipates serving more than 1,700 students at 11 schools throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

$50,000: Women of Tomorrow: Through a unique mentoring program with highly accomplished professional women and scholarship opportunities, Women of Tomorrow helps at-risk young women (grades 9-12) in Michigan successfully navigate the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Accordingly, the program emphasizes sustained mentoring and supportive peer relationships that extend over three or four years, through each young woman's entire high school career. Women of Tomorrow currently serves over 1,200 mentees in 53 public high schools throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.  

Consistent with its charitable giving pillars, such as youth development, support for veterans and their families, education and service, the FCA Foundation will provide more than $4 million in funding this year to charitable organizations and initiatives across the United States.

In addition to the FCA Foundation's monetary contributions, FCA US employees are given 18 hours of paid time off each year to volunteer their time and skills to help build strong, resilient communities. These relationships and partnerships provide a vital connection between FCA US employees and the communities where they live and work.

About the FCA Foundation
The FCA Foundation is committed to rebalancing inequalities to promote the full realization of every human being. We seek to support outcomes in our communities that ensure people can enjoy equality and dignity. The FCA Foundation directs its resources toward the following areas of focus:

• Youth Development – helping young people develop the leadership qualities and resiliency necessary to succeed in school, at work, and in life.
• Education – building the skills and competencies that lead to achievement and support educational access and success.
• Military/Veterans – ensuring veterans successfully transition to civilian life and that the needs of military service members and their families are supported.
• Service – leveraging the talents and contributions of all members of the community.

SOURCE FCA US LLC

Related Links

http://www.fcanorthamerica.com