TORONTO – Feb. 17th, 2011 - Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) today formally announced the Toyota Canada Foundation, a national not-for-profit, private foundation, extending the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program and long-standing commitment to the Environment, Education and Safety.
Through TCI’s CSR program and its support of the Toyota Canada Foundation, TCI helps charitable and non-profit organizations dedicated to good work in areas of the Environment, Education and Safety.
“As part of our continued commitment to being a good corporate citizen, TCI and its national network of Toyota Dealerships, work with non-profit organizations who give back to local communities across Canada,” said Sandy Di Felice, Director, External Affairs, Toyota Canada Inc. “Through its support of the Toyota Canada Foundation, TCI’s community involvement is dedicated to supporting those who work on behalf of the Environment, Education and Safety. These three areas are important to us as they have grown out of our corporate philosophy and DNA – Quality, Safety and Sustainability.”
The Toyota Canada Foundation assesses the needs of existing and potential partners seeking charitable program support. TCI helps co-ordinate additional Corporate, Associate and Dealership contributions for charitable donation to these partners.
TCI and the Toyota Canada Foundation have a long history of partnering with like-minded organizations and supporting programs in the areas of Environment, Education and Safety, including:
• Special Olympics Canada since 1991
l Scientists in School since 1997
l Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds since 2000
l Traffic Injury Research Foundation since 2002
l Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program since 2003
By investing in motivated young people today, the Toyota Canada Foundation is helping cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders – and raising awareness among all Canadians about the need to minimize society’s environmental footprint.
“It’s important that companies like Toyota Canada, through their support of the Toyota Canada Foundation, recognize and reward youth across the country who have demonstrated environmental and academic excellence, and a commitment to community involvement,” said Jed Goldberg, President, Earth Day Canada. “Since 2003, the Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program has awarded $600,000 to 120 graduating students nationally to further the work they are doing to better our communities.”
Celebrating 10 years, Toyota Canada and its Dealerships partnered with Evergreen in 2000 to create Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds – a program designed to transform Canadian school grounds into natural learning environments.
“The Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program has helped almost 1 million students at over 2,500 schools across Canada participate in school ground greening projects and create inviting natural play spaces and outdoor learning environments,” said Geoff Cape, Executive Director, Evergreen. “Toyota Canada and its Dealerships have contributed more than $6 million in funding to help Evergreen provide the tools and support that students, teachers and communities need to make this happen.”
The Toyota Canada Foundation through its support of Scientists in School helps encourage long-lasting interest in science, technology, math, environmental stewardship and engineering in our next generation.
“Since 1997, Toyota Canada has supported Scientists in School’s efforts to bring innovative science experiences to children and youth, helping us to inspire more than 570,000 elementary school students in 195 Ontario communities each year,” said Cindy Adams, Executive Director, Scientists in School. “Scientists in School is excited to now be moving beyond Ontario with a pilot project running in southern Alberta, an important step towards our goal of engaging children right across Canada.”
The Toyota Volunteer Training Days program highlights the many volunteer opportunities available to Canadians through Special Olympics. The focus is on providing tools and resources to volunteers in order to make them successful in their work with individuals who have an intellectual disability.
“Since becoming one of its first national corporate partners in 1991, Toyota Canada and Toyota Dealerships have donated more than $5.5 million, ensuring the growth of the Special Olympics movement in Canada,” said Neil Glasberg, Interim President and CEO Special Olympics Canada.
Through its support of the Toyota Canada Foundation, TCI has supported the education of Canadians about the cars they drive and how to improve road safety and reduce the number of mobility-related injuries.
“Toyota Canada has a real appreciation for the challenge that drivers face in keeping up to date on the safety technology in today’s vehicles. The technology is complex. It evolves quickly. And there’s a lot of it,” said Robyn Robertson, President and CEO, Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF). “With the support of the Toyota Canada Foundation, we are developing a research-based public education program that addresses key challenges facing drivers today to help make roads safer for everyone.”
Applications for charitable donation are reviewed by the Toyota Canada Foundation. Key selection criteria focus on the Foundation’s pillars and national reach.
For more information please visit www.facebook.com/toyotacanada