Ford Launches Drive 4 UR Community Program to Raise Funding for Local Nonprofit Organizations

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Ford Motor Company is collaborating with its dealers to launch a Drive 4 UR Community program to raise funding for local nonprofit organizations
• Drive 4 UR Community is similar to Ford's successful Drive 4 UR School program, which has raised more than $12 million for local schools since its inception in 2007
• Drive 4 UR Community has been active in Canada since 2010 and has raised more than $750,000 to date for local nonprofit organizations in that region

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and its dealers have launched a new program called Drive 4 UR Community, which is designed to help raise much needed funding for local community groups and nonprofit organizations.

Drive 4 UR Community is very similar in concept to Ford's successful Drive 4 UR School initiative, which has raised more than $12 million for local schools since its inception in 2007.

For each Drive 4 UR Community event, Ford dealers will team up with a local nonprofit organization to schedule a test drive fundraising event. The dealers will provide the cars to be test-driven and work together with the nonprofit groups to organize and publicize the event. For every valid test drive completed, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to the participating nonprofit or community group, up to a maximum of $6,000.

"The Drive 4 UR Community program is a great example of how Ford dealers can go further in their communities to help local charities raise needed funds for a cause," said David Mondragon, manager, Ford U.S. Marketing. "This initiative exemplifies 'people serving people,' which is a key pillar of Ford's global brand promise." 

Not only is the program a win for local nonprofits, but it also provides consumers with an opportunity to sample the latest Ford models, says Mondragon.

"It's a win for both because we donate $20 per test drive to the event while introducing our new lineup of great cars, trucks and SUVs to consumers who are there to support the cause," he said. "And many of the people who attend the fundraisers may not have had the opportunity to drive a Ford before."

Ford dealers may register now for a Drive 4 UR Community event at https://drive4urcommunity.com/. Each dealer will be provided with a preapproved list of national organizations and guidelines to follow when selecting a nonprofit. Fundraising events may be scheduled from September to December of 2012.

Ford of Canada launched the Drive One 4 UR Community program in 2010 and has raised more than $750,000 to date for nonprofit organizations in that region. Together, Ford of Canada and Canadian Ford dealers have made it possible for communities to buy food for the hungry, as well as help fund housing projects, park renovations and mentorship programs for at-risk youths. 

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 168,000 employees and about 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company