PLANO, Texas (May 15, 2024) – Toyota North America has been named as a top community-minded company by Points of Light for its significant social impact and dedication to civic engagement. This marks the second consecutive year that Toyota Financial Services (TFS) and Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) have jointly received this recognition in The Civic 50 list. Prior to this unified recognition, Toyota Financial Services had been honored on the list for seven years in a row.
Points of Light, a prominent global nonprofit focused on empowering individuals to drive change, recognizes Toyota North America in its esteemed Civic 50. This list serves as the benchmark for corporate civic engagement, providing a guide for businesses aiming to leverage their resources effectively to enhance community well-being.
“Building and nurturing strong community relationships is integral to our operations at Toyota,” stated Tellis Bethel, chief diversity officer and group vice president of Social Innovation, Toyota Motor North America. “We view this recognition as confirmation that our community-focused initiatives are making a meaningful difference.”
Toyota North America is committed to utilizing its expertise, time, and resources to support communities nationwide. Through initiatives focused on youth development, robust volunteer programs, and strategic partnerships at both national and local levels, Toyota is a catalyst for positive change, fostering opportunities for all. Key contributions from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, include:
- Approximately 50,000 hours volunteered by Toyota team members.
- Over $67 million invested by Toyota in various social causes, including through the Toyota USA Foundation.
- Board of Director grants totaling around $1 million.
- The launch of The Way Forward Fund in 2023, dedicated to enhancing access to care and support for injury recovery, initially focusing on children with traumatic brain injuries.
- Expansion of Driving Possibilities, Toyota’s initiative for career readiness and community enrichment, with six new sites since June 2023. This initiative, primarily funded by the Toyota USA Foundation and supported by Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services, aims to break down educational barriers and prepare students for future careers.
Companies considered for The Civic 50 must have annual U.S. revenues of at least $1 billion. Selection is based on a comprehensive evaluation of their corporate citizenship and social impact programs, considering: resource investment and volunteerism, integration of civic engagement across business functions, institutionalization through established policies and systems, and impact measurement.
“The expectation for companies to lead in civic engagement is constantly growing,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of Points of Light. “Toyota North America exemplifies how companies can maximize their assets—from human capital to strategic policy and financial investments—to address critical community needs and foster thriving environments where people live and work. We are delighted to recognize them as a 2024 Civic 50 honoree.”
True Impact administers The Civic 50 survey, and VeraWorks analyzes the results. The survey employs quantitative and multiple-choice questions to inform the scoring process. The Civic 50 remains the only comprehensive survey and ranking system specifically dedicated to measuring corporate community engagement in the U.S.
For further details on Toyota’s commitment to community engagement, please visit www.ToyotaEffect.com.
