Michigan News
(2008-12-04)
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$15 million, $12.6 million and $11.6 million. That's how much General Motors, Chrysler and Ford, respectively, contributed to non profit organizations in 2007. That's over $39 million for all kinds of non profits in Michigan.
"A lot of people do say to me, you're giving away money," says Jim Vella. "It's a tough time at the company, how can you do that?"
Vella runs the Ford Fund, it's the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company.
"We have been involved in philanthropy as a company for 105 years since Henry Ford started it," continues Vella. "Henry Ford felt that in order to be a successful company, you had to have a sustainable society. And part of the way to do that was to give back to the communities where you did business."
Now that said, Villa says next year's philanthropic dollars will probably see a significant decrease because of the hit that the auto industry has taken. And it's not just money that the auto industry contributes
"Ford volunteers helped us move out a commercial kitchen, they helped us set up a warehouse," says Faith Fowler.
Fowler runs the Cass Community Social Services in Detroit. It's made up of 8 buildings around the city that serve as a women's shelter, a homeless shelter, a food bank, permanent housing for the mentally ill, among other things.
"We're renovating a 50-60 unit apartment building to tear out black mold and carry out trash," continues Fowler. "It's not glamorous work. And yet they work hard and you get a full day's work out of them."
It takes $6 million to run Cass Community Social Services. About half of that money comes from federal and state grants. But Fowler says grants are tricky because they're usually tied to specific items. For example, government support pays for food and some kitchen staff, but it doesn't cover things like plates or knives and forks. She uses corporate dollars from Ford to help fill in those gaps. And that's not all.
"To be able to say Ford supports our work is a major thing," says Fowler. "I mean that's a name that's recognizable around the world. Once you have a friend like Ford, then other people are more likely to join our efforts."
Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have all had a big hand in the arts and culture world of Southeast Michigan as well. Just ask Anne Parsons. She's the director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra:
"They've sponsored series, they've sponsored tours, education programs. You name it, they've stepped up. Whenever any of us have come to them with special projects, they have recognized the importance of the arts and they have supported us."
And a couple blocks over at the Michigan Opera Theater, David DiChiera says "they have represented for us, in terms of contributed income, 25% of our yearly income. It's a major amount of money."
DiChiera is the director of the Michigan Opera Theater. He says because of the recent economic downturn, auto industry support for the MOT has dropped to about 18%. Which has forced DiChiera to cancel an opera next season and lay off some staff.
And because the auto industry is shedding jobs by the thousands, there are fewer people are around to even go to the Opera or the Symphony. And those that stay, well they probably can't afford the tickets.
Jim Vella from the Ford Fund says the shrinking auto industry is having an even bigger impact on social services like the United Way:
"People who were able to contribute in the past are no longer able to contribute. Some of those same people who were contributors in the past are now asking for help with services. So it's kind of, we have the perfect storm in this community service area right now because as the need is going up, the resources available are going down."
A point that Michigan non profit leaders hope the Detroit Three will make clear this week in Washington, DC. © Copyright 2010, Michigan Radio
