Ford Motor Company Fund Honored With Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President's Award

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 29, 2008 - The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation presented Ford Motor Company Fund with its President's Award on September 27, during the USHCC 2008 Awards Dinner Gala, held at the Sacramento Convention Center. The award is given to a company or individual who supports the values and mission of the USHCC Foundation. Ford Motor Company Fund, through its philanthropic efforts, has paved the way for the next generation of minority business leaders.

"We are thrilled to recognize Ford Motor Company Fund with the USHCC Foundation President's Award," said Augustine "Augie" Martinez, President and CEO of USHCC. "They have been a long standing partner and loyal friend of the USHCC Foundation. Their support and contributions have empowered programs like 'BizFest' to have the success that they do today."

In 2004, the USHCC Foundation partnered with Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, to carry out one of its Youth Entrepreneurship training camps, focused for the first time ever on the automotive industry. "BizFest" is an innovative and intensive entrepreneurial training program in which Latino youth learn how to turn hobbies into profitable ventures through the basics of entrepreneurship and leadership. The program has taught hundreds of students each year to establish entrepreneurial and leadership goals, create plans for business and life, become effective leaders and team players, network in business environments, identify investment opportunities, learn to manage money and make presentations. Students participate in business plan competitions and compete for financial awards, future entrepreneurship services, internships and scholarship opportunities.

"Ford Motor Company Fund is honored to receive this prestigious award and to be recognized for our efforts in supporting Hispanic entrepreneurship and business leadership. We believe it is important to equip Latino youth with the necessary tools and skills that will ensure their success in our fast-paced economy," said Jim Vella, President of Ford Motor Company Fund and Honorary Chair of the National Youth Entrepreneurship BizFest Competition.

Ford Motor Company Fund has a long history of supporting education initiatives. The Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS) introduces students to the concepts and skills necessary for future success, combining real-world knowledge with exciting learning opportunities that foster critical thinking by linking classroom learning with the challenges students will face in post-secondary education. Ford Motor Company Fund also supports a number of scholarship and fellowship programs with leading national Hispanic organizations such as the National Association of Hispanic Journalist and the National Association of Hispanic Publications, the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, the National Hispanic Leadership Institute and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.