OREANDA-NEWS. February 19, 2016. Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford offered the inaugural class of “Thirty under 30” fellows some words of inspiration as they embark on a year-long curriculum to help Ford and nonprofits understand what philanthropy means to their generation.

“Our company is only as good as its people, and you are our future,” said Ford, who addressed the group at a welcome event held Tuesday at the Dearborn Inn.  “When we give back to the community what we get back both as a company and as individuals is ten times what we put into it.  At the end of the day it’s about what we do for other people and not what we do for ourselves.”

Thirty under 30 is a U.S. pilot initiative launched by the Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm.  From a pool of more than 300 applicants, 30 Millennials from across the company were selected to learn more about philanthropy, design thinking and leadership. Additionally, the fellows will bring Millennial wisdom to well-known nonprofits who have relied for the last 50 years on traditional fundraising practices that appeal to Baby Boomers.