Bridgestone donates nearly $1M to U.S, local nonprofits

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund has awarded nearly $1 million thus far in 2024 to national and local nonprofits in the U.S.

The contributions represent a shift in Bridgestone's corporate philanthropy efforts, which now include strategic partner grants, community partner grants and expanded employee contribution matching, the company said.

The fund gave grants to 22 non-profit organizations based on "their close alignment with the company's geographic footprint and its evolving business strategy as a sustainable mobility solutions company."

Of those, eight will receive larger strategic partner grants and more volunteer support because they work in areas of priority for Bridgestone, which includes promoting diversity, mobility, education and access to employment.

The other 14 community partner grants were awarded to organizations recommended by Bridgestone employees "through a process that aims to democratize how the company drives change," the company said.

"This is the first strategic shift in our charitable giving since the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund was established 72 years ago by Harvey Firestone Jr.," Wade Munday, director of corporate philanthropy and social impact, Bridgestone Americas, said.

"We remain committed to delivering on Bridgestone's mission of serving society in our local communities and industries. Now we are applying a laser-focused approach on aligning our philanthropic efforts to strategic business areas where increased levels of support can help scale solutions and serve more people."

Bridgestone also is using the platform Optimy S.A. to simplify applications for community partner grants and allow employees to submit employee-match requests.

Bridgestone employee contribution matches of up to $2,000 per year per employee, which previously were limited to academic institutions, now include all U.S. non-profit organizations, colleges and universities.

The Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, originally the Firestone Fund, was founded in 1952 in Akron, Ohio, with $1.5 million at the direction of Harvey Firestone Jr., son of company founder Harvey Firestone.

So far this year, the fund has awarded $949,000 in grants to 22 non-profit organizations.

Strategic Partners:

• United Way of Greater Nashville (Nashville) to help alleviate poverty in Middle Tennessee;
• Techforce Foundation (Phoenix) to help create a diverse 21st century workforce of auto technicians across the U.S.;
• Play Like a Girl (Nashville) to increase girl's access to STEM education through sports;
• Truckers Against Trafficking (Englewood, Colo.) to help end human trafficking in the U.S.;
• United Way of Summit-Medina (Akron) to help alleviate poverty in Northeast Ohio;
• Japan-America Society of Tennessee (Nashville) to help promote cross-cultural understanding in the state of Tennessee;
• Adaptive Sports Ohio (Akron) to help increase access to sports and mobility for people living with disabilities; and
• Urban Green Lab (Nashville) to help promote sustainable living across the U.S.

Community Partners:

• Children's Museum of Southwest Louisiana – Lake Charles, La.;
• Conexion Americas – Nashville;
• Business Council for International Understanding – New York;
• Edgefield County Youth Empowerment Center – Johnston, S.C.;
• Advancing Women in Nashville – Nashville;
• Russellville High School – Russellville, Ark.;
• Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal – Bloomington, Ill.;
• Dream Center Academy – Gastonia, N.C.;
• A Field of Angels – Russellville;
• Rotary Club of Russellville Foundation – Russellville;
• Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena – Washington, D.C.;
• The Baby Fold – Normal, Ill.;
• COMMIT Foundation – Bozeman, Mont.; and
• Sharing & Caring Inc. – Dardanelle, Ark.