Toyota has announced a $110 million commitment in support of the Driving Possibilities program, which will provide education and community-focused programming. 

Driving Possibilities will work to improve communities and get young people excited and prepared for the job market by creating innovative educational programs and improving access to opportunities where barriers exist. Funded in part by Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services (TFS), the Toyota USA Foundation initiative will begin a phased rollout across the company’s operational communities nationwide.

The initiative is focused on PK-12 education, building on Toyota’s existing programs across the country. It is modeled on a PK-8 STEM school in West Dallas that recently began a phased opening. The STEM school—a joint effort of Toyota, the Dallas Independent School District, Southern Methodist University, and the West Dallas community—uses a project-based STEM curriculum, provides professional teacher development, coordinates local services, and is enhanced by ongoing research. Beyond the classroom, the program will include community engagement efforts focused on critical needs such as food insecurity, job training, and mobility services.

“We need to better prepare the workforce of the future by providing a broader education and getting the next generation ready for high-growth careers,” said TMNA chief executive Ted Ogawa. “In addition, addressing inequities that create barriers to success will help improve lives throughout the U.S.” 

(Photo Credit: Getty Images/Drazen Zigic)