Zipcar, Ford Exceed $1M Donations to Student Organizations

Zipcar and Ford Motor Co. have announced  that their "Students with Drive" grant program surpassed a milestone of $1 million donated to student organizations over the past six years. The program seeks to further the efforts of student organizations on campuses and communities.

The grants consist of access to Zipcar vehicles at no cost, cash for specific organizational needs, and scholarship money donated to the school, according to the company.

"Student organizations are key drivers of positive change on and off campus and an important part of our mission to make colleges and universities better places to live, work, and study," said Kate Pope Smith, Zipcar’s director of integrated marketing. "We're incredibly proud of our annual ‘Students with Drive' program and the impact student winners have made on campuses and in their local communities, from providing innovative models to combat hunger, to mentoring elementary students, and getting students outside to connect with nature."

Ford and Zipcar first launched the "Students with Drive" grant program in October 2011 to help student organizations continue to fuel change. Together, the two companies have helped more than 400 student organizations at schools across the United States.

"At Ford, our vision is to make people's lives better by changing the way the world moves," said MJ Ahmed, Ford’s U.S. marketing manager. "Partnering with Zipcar and the ‘Students with Drive' program does exactly that, by giving back and donating to organizations that help students Go Further."

This year's winner, Brown University's Outing Club, enables students to get off campus and explore the outdoors. With the grant money, the Outing Club will be able to provide more students with outdoor experiences. The Outing Club will receive $5,000 in Zipcar credits to be used for memberships and driving, $10,000 to put toward their cause, and $10,000 to be awarded to Brown University.