WHY IT RATES: The car
rental giant continues to give back to communities it serves.—Donald Wood,
Breaking News Senior Writer.
The Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward initiative is awarding
grants for the third consecutive year to more than 600 local nonprofit
organizations—part of Enterprise’s five-year, $55 million ROAD Forward
commitment. This year’s round of grants to local nonprofits, totaling more than
$7 million, will be distributed across the organization’s 70-plus operating
groups in the United States, Canada and Europe.
To date, more than 980 nonprofits have received $33 million
in grants from ROAD Forward, with more than 70% of this year’s recipients
receiving a grant for the third year in a row.
“After three years, this program is providing real and
tangible benefits to help address social and racial equity in the communities
where we operate,” said Enterprise Holdings Foundation President Carolyn
Kindle. “From supporting social and mental health within at-risk
communities, to promoting equity and opportunity for minority business owners,
to empowering students from low-income backgrounds to pursue higher education, we’re
proud to champion hundreds of exceptional organizations as they continue to
grow their positive impact.”
Through the program, Enterprise’s employees are empowered to
help identify local organizations working to address social and racial equity
gaps in their communities and nominate them for a grant.
Notable 2023 grant recipients include:
—In North America: Three-time grant recipients, including
100 Black Men DC, which supports childhood success through mentorship; the
Bottom Line, which partners with first-generation students from low-income
backgrounds to pursue higher education; as well as first-time grant recipient
RISE 5280, an organization dedicated to closing educational achievement gaps
and promoting fiscal and social mobility.
—In Europe: The Girls’ Network in the United Kingdom, which
has received significant funds through ROAD Forward grants (totaling more than
$300,000) over the past three years to empower girls from low-income
backgrounds through mentorship; and first-time recipient Children for a better
World e.V., a German organization that aims to improve living conditions of
children in need and encourage youth involvement in societal causes.
“Since its inception, this program has been addressing
systemic, long-standing social and racial equity gaps in our communities in a
variety of critical ways,” said Enterprise Holdings Chief Diversity
Officer Errin Braddock. “It’s been inspiring to witness the ROAD Forward
initiative’s broad reach across seven countries and over 400 communities.”
Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward
Today’s announcement advances Enterprise Holdings’ ROAD
Forward initiative, a five-year, $55 million commitment to help address social
and racial equity gaps in the communities where we operate. Of this, $35
million is allocated to local communities across 70-plus global operating teams
over five years, and $20 million supports four nationally renowned nonprofit
organizations in the U.S.—My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, a program of the Obama
Foundation, UNCF, Girls Inc. and Parents as Teachers.
The ROAD Forward commitment focuses on the four pillars of
Respect, Opportunity, Achievement and Diversity (ROAD) for youth and families
by helping to address social and racial equity gaps in three key areas: early
childhood development, youth health and wellness, and career and college
preparation.
SOURCE: Enterprise
Holdings press release.
