Ford Motor Company Fund Celebrates Jackie Robinson West Little League U.S. Champions with Annual Scholarship

  • Ford to contribute toward scholarship honoring accomplishments of the Jackie Robinson West Little League U.S. Champions
  • Scholarship will build on Ford’s long manufacturing presence in Chicago and legacy of supporting education
  • Ford Motor Company Fund, the charitable arm of Ford Motor Company, donates more than $8 million a year toward scholarships and other education initiatives

CHICAGO--()--Ford Motor Company is honoring the accomplishments of the Jackie Robinson West Little League U.S. Champions by contributing to an annual scholarship at the team’s namesake, the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Jackie Robinson West captured the hearts of fans in Chicago and across the country as the team advanced from its home field on the city’s far South Side to become U.S. Little League Champions.

“Ford Motor Company Fund salutes the tremendous impact these youngsters and the Jackie Robinson West league have had on Chicago and across the nation,” said Ziad Ojakli, group vice president, Government and Community Relations, Ford Motor Company. “Supporting education has been a cornerstone of Ford since the company was founded more than 100 years ago. We’re proud to build on that legacy and our long manufacturing presence in Chicago by assisting a student who best exemplifies the ideals Jackie Robinson represented.”

Ford’s contribution of $10,000 a year will go toward a four-year Jackie Robinson Foundation college scholarship awarded to a member of the Jackie Robinson West Little League, beginning in summer 2015. The player earning the scholarship will join a select group of college-bound students chosen annually who receive grants and a host of mentoring services, internship placements and practical life skills during their four years of college.

Ford Motor Company Fund invests more than $8 million a year in scholarships and other education initiatives, including other support to the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Since 1973, the Jackie Robinson Foundation has awarded more than $65 million in scholarships and other support for 1,450 undergraduate and graduate students.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in 30 countries. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.

For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.

Contacts

Ford Motor Company Fund
Todd Nissen, 313.322.4898
tnissen@ford.com

Contacts

Ford Motor Company Fund
Todd Nissen, 313.322.4898
tnissen@ford.com