Ford is ramping up its work to support the coronavirus response effort with two new schemes to help employees join in the fight against the outbreak.

Ford Fund has launched a new programme that enables Ford employees, as well as their families and friends, to make a donation to support nonprofits and other community organisations

Ford Motor Company Fund has launched a new Covid-19 Donation Match programme that enables Ford employees, as well as their families and friends, to make a donation to support nonprofits and other community organisations in their efforts to meet coronavirus-related needs in more than 20 countries around the world.

Managed by GlobalGiving, Ford’s longtime disaster relief and global grant-making partner, the programme aims to support community projects in locations that have both a significant level of emergency need and a substantial Ford employee presence.

In Europe, Ford Fund is partnering with St Mungo’s in the UK, Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, in Germany; Mission Bambini, in Italy; Asociatia Club Rotary Craiova Probitas, in Romania; Asociacion Apadrina La Ciencia, in Spain, and a community organisation in Turkey.

In addition, Ford Fund’s new ‘Read and Record’ virtual volunteering project invites Ford employees around the world to record and submit videos reading a children’s book in their own language. The aim is to create an online library of Ford employees reading children’s books for the 1.3 billion children and youth affected by school closures around the world.

“During trying times, Ford employees are used to being the boots on the ground – getting out, signing up and pitching in to help make a difference,” said Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Even now, while many are sheltering in place at home, our employees are looking for ways to help. These two new programmes offer meaningful ways for employees to give back and join in the fight against Covid-19.”

Alongside the work by Ford Fund on a local level, Ford is also taking action on the global stage. The carmaker’s engineers, researchers and suppliers are designing and manufacturing masks, respirators, ventilators and other critical medical equipment and supplies for healthcare workers, first responders and patients fighting Covid-19.