Starting the School Year Off Right

Back-to-school shopping can get expensive.  
 
Jessica Hanson and Tim Rippinger of the Parts & Service Advertising team know that. They also know that Toyota dealers and customers are a generous bunch.  
 
“We were looking for a way to connect our dealers and customers to make a big philanthropic impact,” Hanson said. “And school supplies seemed like such a good fit. Who doesn’t want to help students succeed at school?” 
 
Together, they launched a plan to partner Toyota with the Kids In Need Foundation (KINF). Since 1995, KINF has provided school supplies to help children in some of the country’s most under-resourced schools. The organization donates backpacks full of supplies, with the hopes that by giving kids the tools they need at the beginning of the year, they’ll be set up for success in the classroom and give them the support necessary to keep attending school.  
 
This year, KINF is getting a big boost thanks to Toyota. In total, 450 dealers raised nearly $800,000 this summer to help. Many of those dealers applied for and received support from Toyota’s Dealer Match program, which provides up to $10,000 in matching funds annually, per dealer. The Central Atlantic (CAT) Region led the way, with 121 dealers enrolled. 
 
The program also has a customer component. During the month of August, Toyota donated $3 to the KINF backpack fund for each paid oil change using Genuine Toyota Motor Oil with a tire rotation, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000.
 
“To us, this is a win-win for our dealers, our customers and our communities,” Rippinger said. “We’ve always known that Toyota dealers are very dialed into the communities they serve. We have the best customers. And we love being able to contribute to the success of students across this country. Educational success is mobility, too.”

For more information on KINF, click here.