Collaborating for Local Change

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March 11, 2021

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Toyota Employee Resource Groups Across Country Collaborate to Direct Funding for Social and Racial Justice Programs; Grants Awarded to 48 Nonprofits in 17 Communities Nationwide

PLANO, Texas, March 10, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Late last year, Toyota North America launched an initiative to bring employee voices to help address disparities in communities across the country.

Toyota Employees Collaborate for Local Change Infographic

The idea: Create a grassroots employee-led fund to address social and racial justice issues spearheaded by Toyota’s 100 employee resource group chapters.

Toyota employee resource groups representing Asians, Blacks, Christians, People with Disabilities, Latinos, LGBTQ+, Parents, Pet Advocates, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals, as well as Environmental causes worked together to identify and direct funding to programs in their local communities.

“This initiative brought us together, providing a collective voice for good on issues that affect us all,” said Sandra Phillips Rogers, group vice president, chief legal officer and chief diversity officer, Toyota Motor North America. “It also gave our employees the opportunity to take concrete action within the communities where they work and live.”

The result: A total of $475,000 in grants awarded to 48 nonprofits in 17 communities across the country, addressing critical needs such as food insecurity, healthcare access, economic self-reliance, youth mentoring, job training, and education.

One such nonprofit to benefit from the program is YWCA Charleston, in West Virginia. The organization is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, dignity and freedom for all. Funding will support their ongoing implicit bias training and outreach programs.

“Through this grant we can reach more people in the region and provide training and resources to increase understanding of how they can help eliminate racism,” said Debby Weinstein, chief executive officer, YWCA Charleston, W. Va.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30 million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

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Victor Vanov

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