Is this year your first time volunteering during Global Caring Month? Communications Manager Meredith Libbey had this advice to share: "Do it! You'll sign up because you want to help others, but you'll also meet new colleagues, get to know others in a new way, and may even pick up a new skill. Plus, you'll have fun!" Meredith's words capture the essence of what makes this initiative so special.

A Legacy of Caring

As we celebrate 75 years of Ford Philanthropy, Global Caring Month highlights Ford's legacy of caring and partnering with communities around the world to move people forward and upward.

Each September, we celebrate Global Caring Month, a month-long community service initiative that encourages our best asset, our people, to design their own volunteer projects. This annual event mobilizes thousands of Ford employees across the globe to engage in volunteer projects that address the pressing needs of the communities where they live and work. This September, we have 189 projects in 30 countries, including building homes, renovating schools, cleaning up parks, installing clean water systems, distributing fresh food and more in Ford communities worldwide.

Did you know employees can submit volunteer proposals? This year's selected proposals were reviewed by Ford Philanthropy and GlobalGiving, Ford Philanthropy's international grant-making partner. Ford Philanthropy provides grants of up to USD $10,000 to selected nonprofit organizations for tools and supplies to complete the project. Since Global Caring Month began in 2006, Ford has engaged nearly 100,000 Ford employees who have used their skills, creativity, and energy on more than 2,000 community impact projects in 45+ countries.

The Power of Ford Volunteers

For years, Meredith and her team in Nashville have partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank during Global Caring Month. This year, Meredith shared, "We'll fill about 2,000 backpacks with food for children who will take them home from school on Friday afternoons. Thanks to a grant from Ford Philanthropy ... we help keep children from going hungry over the weekend, so we know Ford's making a difference for thousands of kids."

This spirit of caring also extends across the globe, taking different forms to meet local needs. In Germany for instance, Senior Project Engineer Fahrettin Isikdemir and the MENA Turkish Chapter are mentoring students in partnership with Stiftung Bildung & Egitim, encouraging them to aim higher. "Education plays an important role in the progress of a community ... acting as a mentor contributes to my personal and professional growth," Fahrettin says. These stories aren't unique – they're at the heart of what Global Caring Month is all about.

Get Involved

Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, Ford employees can help address community issues they care about. Salaried employees are entitled to 16 hours of paid community service. U.S.-based employees can join the Global Caring Month ‌community in Deed to ‌find projects, connect with peers and share photos and stories. Don't wait – projects are filling up fast!