Ford Motor Company Executive to Lead United Way Giving Campaign

United Way for Southeastern Michigan is pleased to announce that Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president of Global Operations for Ford Motor Company, will lead the organization’s 2018/20 Community Giving Campaign. Committed to his community, Hinrichs serves on a variety of boards and joins a long line of Ford executives in leading the iconic United Way campaign. Hinrichs begins his two-year commitment as campaign chair in July. He succeeds FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne, who has been chairing United Way’s 2016/18 campaign. Hinrichs’ chairmanship will continue through 2020.

As part of his role, Hinrichs will be the face of United Way’s annual giving campaign. He will also hand select his cabinet that will include executives from other companies to support his fundraising vision toward increasing and strengthening United Way’s Health, Education and Economic Prosperity work in underserved communities throughout the tri-counties.

“Ford’s mission to make people’s lives better is advanced and bolstered by our long-term relationship with United Way,” said Hinrichs. “It is my privilege to serve in this leadership capacity and I look forward to working closely with the people of Metro Detroit to raise the quality of life for all people facing challenges in our community.”

For nearly 70 years, Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, has been a proud supporter of United Way for Southeastern Michigan and its predecessor United Foundation of Detroit. In 1949, Ford helped organize a United Foundation fundraising drive in Detroit, the first campaign of its kind in a major U.S. city and an effort that led to the first ever payroll deduction plan. Since then, Ford and its employees – including those represented by the UAW – have donated more than $500 million to support United Way community investments in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. In addition, Ford Fund President Jim Vella currently serves on United Way’s board and Ford employees routinely give of their time year-round to support a variety of United Way causes throughout Greater Detroit.

For more information about United Way for Southeastern Michigan and its impact throughout the region, visit liveunitedsem.org.