Giving Tuesday: Toyota Supercharges STEM Education

Toyota USA Foundation announced grants amounting to $2 million for programs aimed at preparing students in Randolph and Guilford Counties for future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 

These grants are part of the Driving Possibilities initiative and are expected to be rolled out over a five-year period in select schools. 

What is Driving Possibilities? 

Driving Possibilities is a long-term initiative that focuses on providing students with access to rewarding careers, including opportunities in the auto industry, through PreK-12 education. The program aims to close the educational gaps for students by offering innovative and hands-on STEM programming while addressing the essential needs of students and their families.

According to Tellis Bethel, Group Vice President of Social Innovation at Toyota, "Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our team members live and work."

Bethel is excited about the $2 million grant that will be used in the first year of the program's implementation in North Carolina, which is home to Toyota's first battery plant in North America.

In 2022, Toyota USA Foundation launched Driving Possibilities, a national career readiness and community engagement initiative aimed at preparing youth for the careers of tomorrow. The program is a unique approach that brings together educators, local and national nonprofits, and communities to create limitless possibilities for all. 

With efforts across the PreK-12 education continuum, the program is the largest and most comprehensive in Toyota's history. The initiative is funded by the Toyota USA Foundation, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).

Who Will Driving Possibilities Benefit? 

Driving Possibilities in North Carolina will work with Randolph and Guilford County schools to identify school feeder patterns and provide project-based, hands-on STEM learning programs. 

The program will also offer professional and leadership development for educators, community engagement, and family support like afterschool programming, which are all core components of the Driving Possibilities model.

Sean Suggs, President of Toyota North Carolina, said that "The Driving Possibilities framework provides a holistic approach to ensure all children have equal access to opportunities and a pathway to high-growth careers." He adds that the program, in collaboration with community partners and businesses, focuses resources both inside and outside the classroom to help students overcome barriers.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper also expressed his excitement about Toyota's partnership and investment in communities across North Carolina. 

"These grants will help enhance the STEM education of students in Randolph and Guilford counties and prepare them to lead successful careers in a variety of fields, including our state's thriving auto industry," Governor Cooper said.

North Carolina is the seventh site to launch programming based on more than 60 years of active support in communities across the U.S. The initiative builds off the successful model in West Dallas.