Ford Philanthropy Expands Support for Military and Veteran Families Through New Partnerships
Military families often face unique transportation challenges as they navigate frequent relocations, deployments, training assignments, and other demands associated with military life. From traveling across the country during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move to managing everyday responsibilities while a family member is deployed, reliable transportation plays an important role in maintaining stability and supporting family well-being.
Access to dependable transportation helps military members, veterans, spouses, children, and caregivers attend medical appointments, reach workplaces, participate in community activities, and manage essential daily responsibilities. Recognizing these needs, Ford Philanthropy is expanding its commitment to military and veteran communities through new partnerships with nonprofit organizations ahead of Veterans Day.
The initiative focuses on addressing transportation barriers, strengthening community connections, and providing young people from military families with access to important driving education programs. Through these efforts, Ford aims to make everyday mobility more accessible while recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by military families.
Ford Builds on More Than a Century of Military Family Support
Supporting military personnel and their families has been part of Ford’s community engagement efforts for more than 120 years. The company says its commitment reflects its longstanding belief in supporting the communities and families that contribute to the country.
Ford’s relationship with the military community dates back to 1922, when the company donated 50 Model T vehicles to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) national convention. That contribution established a relationship that has continued for generations and developed into Ford’s longest-standing corporate partnership.
Today, Ford continues working with DAV to improve transportation access for veterans through the DAV Transportation Network. The program provides more than 230,000 rides annually to veterans across the United States, helping individuals reach medical appointments and other essential destinations.
For many veterans, transportation can be a significant obstacle when accessing healthcare and support services. Limited mobility, financial challenges, vehicle maintenance expenses, and a lack of convenient public transportation can make routine journeys difficult.
Ford’s expanded initiatives are designed to complement existing programs by addressing additional transportation needs among military households and veterans. The company is working with nonprofit partners to provide practical assistance that can help families remain connected and manage their everyday responsibilities.
Mobility Wallets Help Military Families Manage Transportation Costs
One of the central elements of Ford Philanthropy’s expanded commitment is a partnership with Blue Star Families and Catch A Ride Network.
Through this collaboration, Ford is providing digital Mobility Wallets to 200 military households across Southern California, Chicago, Kentucky, and Tennessee. These wallets are designed to help eligible families arrange transportation and manage certain personal mobility expenses.
Transportation costs can place additional pressure on military households, particularly when families are adjusting to a new location, dealing with deployment-related responsibilities, or managing multiple daily commitments.
The Mobility Wallet program is intended to provide flexibility by helping families cover transportation expenses that might otherwise prevent them from reaching important destinations.
Depending on individual needs, support can help with services such as rideshare transportation, fuel expenses, and vehicle maintenance. For example, a military spouse may use a rideshare service to attend a medical appointment when a family vehicle is unavailable. Another household may need assistance with a minor vehicle repair to ensure that a family member can continue traveling to work.
Fuel assistance can also make a difference for families who need to travel longer distances for healthcare services or other essential activities.
By supporting these expenses, Ford and its nonprofit partners aim to reduce transportation-related stress and help military families maintain greater independence.
The partnership also recognizes that mobility needs differ from one household to another. Providing flexible transportation assistance allows families to address practical challenges based on their circumstances.
Supporting Community Connections Through Blue Star Families
In addition to providing Mobility Wallets, Ford’s partnership with Blue Star Families includes support for transportation to community events.
The initiative guarantees more than 2,000 trips to Blue Star Families chapter events, creating additional opportunities for military households to participate in local activities and connect with others who understand the challenges of military life.
Military families frequently experience relocations that require them to establish new relationships, find local resources, and adjust to unfamiliar communities. Spouses and children may have to rebuild their social networks whenever a service member receives a new assignment.
Community organizations can play an important role in helping families navigate these transitions. Local chapter events provide opportunities to meet other military households, exchange experiences, access information, and develop supportive relationships.
However, transportation difficulties can prevent some families from attending these gatherings.
By helping provide transportation to more than 2,000 chapter event trips, Ford aims to reduce this barrier and make community participation easier.
The initiative highlights the importance of mobility beyond simply reaching a destination. Reliable transportation can also help families build friendships, establish support networks, and feel more connected to the communities where they live.
Ford and Travis Manion Foundation Expand Veteran Transportation Assistance
Ford Philanthropy is also collaborating with the Travis Manion Foundation to provide additional transportation support to veterans.
Through the partnership, 300 veterans in Detroit and Chicago will receive gas cards and rideshare gift cards.
The program is designed to help veterans participate in activities that support other members of the veteran community and encourage continued service through volunteering and community engagement.
For many former service members, maintaining a sense of purpose and connection after leaving military service can be an important part of their transition into civilian life.
Veterans frequently contribute to their communities by mentoring others, participating in nonprofit programs, supporting fellow veterans, and taking part in local initiatives.
However, transportation expenses can sometimes limit their ability to attend events or fulfill volunteer responsibilities.
Gas cards and rideshare gift cards offer practical assistance by helping veterans travel to the activities and organizations where their involvement can make a difference.
Through its collaboration with the Travis Manion Foundation, Ford is extending its mobility-focused support beyond active military households to include veterans who continue contributing to their communities.
The program also demonstrates how transportation assistance can support social participation, volunteerism, and stronger connections among former service members.
Helping Military Teens Develop Safe Driving Skills
Ford’s expanded military family initiatives also focus on the next generation.
Learning to drive is an important milestone for teenagers. It provides greater independence, creates opportunities for education and employment, and helps young people take on additional responsibilities.
However, learning to drive can be particularly challenging for teenagers in military households when a parent is deployed or away for training.
Military parents may miss important moments in their children’s lives because of service commitments. This can include the opportunity to provide driving guidance, supervise practice sessions, and help teenagers develop confidence behind the wheel.
To address this challenge, Ford Philanthropy is partnering with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to offer complimentary Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programs to military parents and families.
Ford Driving Skills for Life is the company’s driver education and safety initiative, designed to help new drivers develop essential skills and improve their understanding of road safety.
The program provides teenagers with opportunities to receive professional driving instruction and learn important techniques that go beyond basic driver licensing requirements.
Military teens near Cincinnati and in San Diego participated in the program during 2026.
Ford plans to expand the initiative in 2027, with additional Driving Skills for Life programs scheduled in Texas, California, and Kentucky.
These programs will provide further opportunities for teenagers from military households to receive driving education, particularly when a parent is deployed and cannot participate directly in their driving preparation.
By making the training available at no cost, Ford aims to reduce financial barriers while helping young drivers develop safer driving habits.
Connecting Military Communities Through Automotive Experiences
The San Diego Driving Skills for Life program also provided an opportunity for Ford to connect military families with the automotive and motorsports community.
The program took place near Camp Pendleton, close to Coronado Naval Base, where the first NASCAR race ever held on a U.S. Navy base took place on June 20, 2026.
The event represented an intersection between automotive culture, motorsports, and military communities.
Ford used the opportunity to welcome military families and create an environment where participants could enjoy racing-related activities and spend time together.
Events like these can provide families with experiences outside their regular responsibilities while encouraging connections with other households facing similar circumstances.
The relationship between Ford, motorsports, and military communities also reflects the company’s broader efforts to use automotive events and experiences to support charitable and community-focused activities.
Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic Introduces a New Annual Tradition
Another important part of Ford’s expanded military and veteran support is the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, organized in partnership with NASCAR.
Scheduled for November 11, the event is intended to create a new annual tradition that brings military members, veterans, and their families together through motorsports.
The initiative aims to offer more than a sporting experience. It is designed to create opportunities for families to spend time together, celebrate their connections, and participate in a wider community event.
For military households, shared experiences can be especially meaningful because deployments, relocations, and demanding service schedules can make family time difficult to organize.
The Veterans Day Classic seeks to recognize these families while bringing attention to the contributions of service members and veterans.
Ford hopes the event will become an annual opportunity for military communities to enjoy motorsports, develop lasting memories, and celebrate the people who have served the country.
The event also creates an opportunity for members of the public and automotive community to contribute to organizations supporting military families.
Proud to Honor Fund Supports Six Nonprofit Organizations
Ford is encouraging people to extend their support beyond the race through donations to the Proud to Honor Fund, powered by GlobalGiving.
Every dollar donated to the fund goes directly to six nonprofit partners that support military members, veterans, and their families.
The fund provides an additional way for individuals and organizations to contribute to programs addressing the challenges experienced by military households.
Nonprofit organizations play an important role in delivering services, connecting families with resources, and supporting veterans as they transition into civilian life.
By directing donations to nonprofit partners, the initiative aims to strengthen the organizations working directly with military and veteran communities.
Individuals interested in contributing can learn more about the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic and donate through the official GlobalGiving campaign page.
Ford Continues Its Longstanding Commitment to Military Communities
Ford Philanthropy’s expanded initiatives demonstrate how corporate partnerships can address practical challenges faced by military families and veterans.
The company’s work with Blue Star Families, Catch A Ride Network, Travis Manion Foundation, the Governors Highway Safety Association, and other nonprofit organizations focuses on several important areas, including transportation affordability, community participation, veteran engagement, and driver education.
These programs recognize that military family support extends beyond active-duty service members. Spouses, children, caregivers, and veterans also experience challenges that require attention and practical assistance.
Reliable transportation can help families maintain employment, access healthcare, participate in community activities, and manage everyday responsibilities. For teenagers, access to professional driving education can create a stronger foundation for safe and responsible driving.
Ford’s historical relationship with the Disabled American Veterans organization, which began with the donation of Model T vehicles in 1922, provides the foundation for its continued involvement in military community support.
As Veterans Day approaches, Ford is using its philanthropic partnerships and automotive community connections to recognize military families and expand access to resources that can make a meaningful difference.
Through transportation assistance, educational programs, nonprofit collaborations, and the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, the company aims to continue supporting those who serve and the families who stand alongside them.
Source Link:https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/
