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New pilot program to pair young pros with Salvation Army
Ford Motor Co. plans next year to launch a pilot leadership training program for 30 young Ford employees to learn civic engagement skills while sharing their own insights with Detroit nonprofits, including The Salvation Army.
The Dearborn-based automaker plans to select 30 U.S. employees under age 30 to participate in a yearlong course on civic engagement and leadership skills, with a focus on philanthropy and volunteerism.
“Thirty Under 30” will tap into a growing interest among younger employees to become involved in their communities beyond sending money to charitable organizations.
A new Nielsen survey showed that more than half of the Millennials said they would volunteer for charity instead of giving money, versus 17 percent who said they would prefer to only send money.
“Younger generations have shown they see community building as part of their career goals,” said Jim Vella, president of Ford Motor Co. Fund and community services.
The program will pair employees with either The Salvation Army, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries or United Way for Southeastern Michigan so they can learn from younger generations.
“With Thirty Under 30, we are not only helping our younger employees work with nonprofits; we will learn from them how to design corporate philanthropy in the future.”
