Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, the Ford Fund, and Team Rubicon today announced Team Rubicon Powered by Ford, a new disaster relief initiative that will serve the growing number of communities across the United States impacted by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires.
According to studies, 90 percent of U.S. counties experienced a federal climate disaster between 2011-2021. Ford’s investment, which includes a fleet of vehicles, a $2.5 million philanthropic donation, and a commitment to deploying employee volunteers, expands Team Rubicon’s ability to provide no-cost services to vulnerable communities in the wake of these disasters and crises.
Team Rubicon Powered by Ford builds on nearly 25 years of disaster relief efforts by the automaker. The company has invested in disaster relief efforts since 1999, when a catastrophic earthquake struck Turkey, and Ford mobilized vehicles, volunteers, and other lifesaving aid in the region.
Since then, Ford has supported disaster relief efforts in communities across the country and around the world. From Hurricane Harvey (2017) to the Texas ice storms (2021) to deadly storms in eastern Kentucky (2022), Ford has shown up for communities in need by deploying vehicles to provide emergency transportation and power, delivering essential goods, and funding direct service providers.
Over the last few years, the Ford Fund has donated $7 million to disaster relief efforts globally, including $1.5 million in previous investments to Team Rubicon.
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the organization has grown to more than 160,000 volunteers across the United States and has launched over 1,100 operations domestically and internationally. By pairing the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders, medical professionals, and technology solutions, Team Rubicon aims to provide the greatest service and impact possible.
Ford’s investment includes the donation of a fleet of vehicles to increase Team Rubicon’s capability to power, tow, and haul tools, equipment, and machinery. The vehicles include:
- 10 Ford F-150 XL PowerBoost Hybrid trucks equipped with 7.2 kW Pro Power Onboard, enabling Team Rubicon to provide essential services to communities without electricity.
- Three Ford F-150 Lightning Pro trucks equipped with 9.6 kW Pro Power Onboard.
- Two Ford Super Duty F-350 XL trucks equipped with available 2.0 kW Pro Power Onboard.
- Two Ford Bronco 4-door SUVs equipped with Sasquatch off-road package.
- Five years of Ford Pro Fleet Management software and scheduled service maintenance and extended warranty coverage.
The fleet of donated vehicles features a unique, co-branded wrap design inspired by the quick maneuverability and responsiveness of an aircraft with a nod to aviation tail art. Each model has a unique rear pattern, and the wraps include reflective elements for improved visibility in dark locations.
This investment is provided by funds from Project Apollo, Ford’s initiative to produce and distribute personal protective equipment and healthcare equipment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, the Ford Fund is investing $2.5 million to support Team Rubicon’s Ready Reserve Fund, a fund that allows Team Rubicon to provide no-cost services for vulnerable communities as soon as disaster strikes. It also funds mitigation, preparedness, and recovery efforts, ensuring equitable aid reaches those most in need throughout the disaster cycle.
Ford employees also are invited to join forces with Team Rubicon’s “Greyshirt” volunteers in disaster mitigation, preparedness, and rebuilding efforts as part of the Ford Volunteer Corps, a program that offers employees paid time off to give back to their communities.
Earlier this year, Ford and Team Rubicon mobilized employees and “Greyshirts” to work on homes in Detroit that were devastated by flooding due to storms in 2021. As part of the launch, Ford employees will join Team Rubicon for missions in Detroit and Houston.
For more information and to donate and volunteer, visit teamrubiconusa.org.
