West Tennessee Capital Grants Program
Nearly $1.2 million in grants awarded to 17 organizations across 6 counties
Ford Fund has been on the ground meeting with nonprofit leaders and community organizations in the counties surrounding BlueOval City since the company first announced the new electric vehicle and advanced manufacturing worksite in West Tennessee in September 2021.
In response to what we've been hearing from our new partners and neighbors, we launched a $1 million capital grants program in the fall of 2022 to help strengthen civic spaces and services in the region. We encouraged local municipalities and organizations to apply and propose improvements based on their unique expertise and understanding of community needs.
The United Way of West Tennessee has been a critical partner and after reviewing more than 200 applications, 17 organizations were selected to receive a total of nearly $1.2 million. Grantees were selected from all six counties surrounding the worksite and their proposals address a range of civic needs—from public safety, beautification, education and workforce development to essential services such as fresh food delivery to underserved communities.
"We are thrilled to announce the winners of our capital grants program in West Tennessee," said Mary Culler, Ford Motor Company Fund president. "Investing in local nonprofit organizations and municipalities is one powerful way we can help ensure communities grow stronger from our presence in the region. Together we can create new opportunities to thrive—not just for today, but for generations to come."
The Ford Fund capital grant winners by county include:
Fayette county
- Fayette Cares Inc.
- Fayette County Citizens for Progress
Haywood county
- Brownsville Haywood Fire Department
- Douglass Community
- Haywood County Ambulance Authority
- The Town of Stanton
Lauderdale county
- Gates Volunteer Fire Department
- Lauderdale County Council of Arts
Tennessee State Parks Conservancy
Madison county
- Boys & Girls Club of Jackson
- Exchange Club – Carl Perkins Center
Shelby county
- Code Crew
- Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South
- Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
- Memphis A. Philip Randolph Institute
Tipton county
- Mason Fire Auxiliary
Tipton County Government