Toyota Creates $1M Grant to Tackle Mobility Challenges

Feb 2, 2017

“By engaging multiple local partners on a single issue, we can build on ideas, pool resources and achieve greater impact in the communities we serve,” said Mike Goss, general manager, Toyota Social Innovation. “The initiative is part of larger community programing aimed at creating public-private partnerships to solve societal issues.”

This is the idea behind a new grant from Toyota and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. The grant is aimed at meeting the challenges of mobility head on with help from non-profits and organizations in north Texas. Toyota hopes that through collaboration and partnership amongst local non-profits, academic institutions, and social entrepreneurs one or more solutions can be found for transportation mobility issues and social mobility issues.

The grant, which provides funds to implement a two-year program in the area, also challenges those involved to think about the scalability of their programs. Following the first year of the grant, the awardees will have the opportunity to partner with Toyota to further improve outcomes.

“We believe that new technologies and approaches can increase access to mobility for underserved communities, low income including seniors and people with disabilities, and that access to reliable, safe, affordable transport systems has direct social, equality and economic implications,” said Karen Ideno, vice president of product, marketing, corporate social responsibility and communications, Toyota Financial Services. “By tapping into organizations on the ground through a collaborative approach to innovation, we can foster real change and improve quality of life in our communities.”

“Toyota Creates $1M Grant to Tackle Mobility Challenges in North Texas.” Toyota USA Newsroom. Toyota, 24 Jan. 2017. Web. 31 Jan. 2017.