Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund awards nearly $1 million to non-profit organizations

Nasville, TN – The Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund announced it has awarded nearly one million dollars in 2024 to U.S. national and local non-profit organizations. These contributions represent a shift in Bridgestone’s corporate philanthropy efforts, which now include Strategic Partner grants, Community Partner grants, and expanded employee contribution matching.

A total of 22 non-profit organizations received grants based on their close alignment with the company’s geographic footprint and its evolving business strategy as a sustainable mobility solutions company. Eight of these organizations will receive larger Strategic Partner grants and increased volunteer support because they perform work in areas of priority for Bridgestone, including promoting diversity, mobility, education, and access to employment. The fourteen additional Community Partner grants were awarded to organizations recommended by Bridgestone employees through a process that aims to democratize how the company drives change.

“This is the first strategic shift in our charitable giving since the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund was established 72 years ago by Harvey Firestone, Jr.,” said Wade Munday, Director of Corporate Philanthropy and Social Impact, Bridgestone Americas. “We remain committed to delivering on Bridgestone’s mission of serving society in our local communities and industries. Now we are applying a laser-focused approach on aligning our philanthropic efforts to strategic business areas where increased levels of support can help scale solutions and serve more people.”
Bridgestone is also integrating the social impact platform Optimy to simplify applications for Community Partner grants and allow Bridgestone employees to submit employee match requests. Employee contribution matches of up to $2,000 per year per employee, which were previously limited to academic institutions, now include all U.S. non-profit organizations, colleges and universities.

In total, the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund has awarded $949,000 in grants.

The Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, originally the Firestone Fund, was founded in 1952 in Akron, Ohio, with $1.5 million at the direction of Harvey Firestone, Jr., son of company founder Harvey Firestone, Sr.