Toyota donates $1 million to combat poverty in north Alabama, D.C.

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March 14, 2019

The $1.6 billion Mazda-Toyota plant is bringing much more than just 4,000 jobs to the Huntsville area.

As exemplified by Toyota’s announcement Wednesday, the companies plan to be active and generous members of the north Alabama community.

To help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL), Toyota is donating $1 million to help break generational cycles of poverty through family literacy in the nation’s capital and northern Alabama.

This new donation brings Toyota’s total contribution over its 28-year partnership with NCFL to an incredible $50 million. To date, 420 Toyota Family Learning Centers have impacted more than 4.5 million parents and children across America.

“Education is key to a successful career,” Toyota Motor North America CEO Jim Lentz said in a statement. “I have seen the impact of NCFL’s two-generation literacy model, where children and their parents inspire each other to learn, and we’re proud to help further the great work of this organization.”

“What a great way for our 30th anniversary to be celebrated,” NCFL founder and CEO Sharon Darling stated. “Toyota’s support is much more than just writing a check. They have been hands-on with our family literacy programs since day one. And for a company to be engaged with a non-profit for nearly three decades says everything about Toyota’s determination to make a difference.”

NCFL will coordinate the family literacy programs in Alabama, partnering with local groups.

The organization’s approach of engaging multiple generations of family members is a fundamental and distinguishing aspect of its work. The pioneer of family literacy, NCFL’s research-based, holistic model strengthens families, helps parents gain workforce and literacy skills to get jobs and propels children to reach their potential academically.