Towson-headquartered MileOne Autogroup — one of the nation’s leading automotive companies, and one of the mid-Atlantic region’s largest employers — recently launched MileOneCares. MileOneCares is the company’s corporate giving program for all philanthropic efforts across MileOne’s 77 franchises in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina as part of its Hall, Heritage, Herb Gordon, Annapolis and MotorWorld divisions.
“While philanthropy has been at the core of MileOne and our commitment to the community is exemplified by the many organizations with which we have partnered with over the past years, MileOneCares provides a framework that will allow us to focus our support and be more deliberate in our community outreach to achieve the most impact,” said Steve Fader, CEO of MileOne Autogroup.
Since MileOne’s founding in 1997, the company has donated funds, volunteer hours and vehicles to hundreds of nonprofits throughout the region. Recipients have included the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge-Baltimore, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and many others.
Over the past two-and-a-half decades, MileOne has donated more than $4.4 million to the American Cancer Society to support local transportation, research and lodging needs; has donated more than 180 vehicles, valued at over $1 million, to individuals in need of transportation in partnership with Vehicles for Change; and has awarded more than $1.6 million to employees and their families towards their education with the NextMile Scholarship Program. Most recently, the company donated $200,000 to 17 nonprofits as part of its Days of Giving holiday campaign.
Under MileOneCares, the primary focus of its philanthropic outreach will be transportation-related initiatives, such as donating car seats to individuals in need; providing transportation for oncology patients, the elderly and domestic violence victims; and donating vehicles to nonprofits through a matching grants program.
Leading MileOneCares is Chief Giving Officer Amanda Kodeck, who is responsible for creating and implementing the program. Kodeck brings more than 25 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, during which time she launched, developed, grew and evaluated mission and income-driven programs.
Most recently, she served as an independent consultant supporting nonprofits on fundraising, leadership development, grant preparations and research projects. Prior to that, Kodeck worked in several roles at the Walters Art Museum, including as head of school and docent programs and the director of education and public programs.
“Nonprofit organizations throughout the MileOne network are working each day to improve the lives of those in the community,” said Kodeck. “Through our expanded and newly founded partnerships and collaborations, I look forward to maximizing the community impact potential.”
MileOneCares will also support MileOne’s 3,800 employees through the continuation of the company’s NextMile Scholarship Program; the MileOne Support Fund, which provides financial assistance in times of disaster or emergency hardship; and a new employee-nominated grant program, in which employees can apply for funds to support causes to which they are personally connected.
“Our commitment to community includes our commitment to MileOne’s community and the causes that are most important to them,” said Michael Fader, president of MileOne Holdings. He is one of five members of the newly established MileOneCares board of advisors who will provide guidance and governance for all giving.
Information about MileOneCares’ overall giving program, as well as the application process for grants and sponsorships, can be found on the newly launched MileOneCares website, mileonecares.com.
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