Ford Driving Dreams Grants Program

LULAC and Ford Motor Company Fund hold a mutual belief that education is the gateway to opportunity. Together, they strive to support programs that help Hispanic students achieve on-time graduation and provide a pathway to obtain a higher education.

Educational initiatives and investments, such as Ford Driving Dreams, have contributed to the declining high school dropout rates and increasing college enrollment rates among Hispanics. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, high school dropout rates across the United States among general populations of students increased to 6% in 2021 from 5% in 2019. Drop-out rates for Hispanic youth, however, were at 7.7% in 2019. During this time, the share of Hispanic high school graduates who enrolled in college increased significantly from 32% in 1999 to 47% in 2016. However, multiple sources report seeing that number take a notable dip to under 20% and attribute that to obstacles caused by the pandemic. While these improvements in academic attainment among Hispanic students have had a positive impact on the community, high school dropout rates among the demographic remain higher at almost 8% compared to their White (5%), Asian (3%), and Black (6%) peers.

Through this initiative, LULAC Councils and their educational partner organizations work in their local communities to achieve education equity across the United States. To date, the Ford Driving Dreams Grants Program has funded over 88 programs across 25 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, supported the education of more than 2,900 students, and served as a convener and facilitator of the growth of LULAC councils.

The Ford Driving Dreams Grants program aims to:

• Achieve on-time high school graduation among targeted students.
• Increase students’ rate of on-time promotion to the next grade.
• Improve the academic performance of the students (grades and test scores).
• Improve interpersonal relationships between the students and their peers, teachers, administrators, and family members.
• Reduce juvenile delinquency and youth involvement in gangs.
• Foster a sense of community in schools and neighborhoods and build better relationships among peers, parents, and teachers.

2022-2024 Ford Driving Dreams Grants Program

Awarded Sites

Anaheim, CA – Council #2848

Educational Partner: Anaheim Independent Learning Center

El Paso, TX – Council #8

Educational Partner:LULAC National Educational Service Centers

Killeen, TX - Council #4297 

Educational Partner: The Central TX Herencia Foundation

Corpus Christi, TX - Council #22431

Educational Partner: Ben-Bolt-Palito Blanco High School

Brookfield, IL – Council 5238

Educational Partner: Latinx Digital LEaders now (Latinx DLN)

Belvidere, IL – Council #5303

Educational Partner: Waukegan to College

Chicago, IL – Council #5316

Educational Partner: Central States SER, Jobs for Progress Inc.

Kansas City, MO – Council #11085

Educational Partner: LULAC National Education Service Centers  

New Haven, CT – Council #713

Educational Partner: Dominican Women’s Development Center   

Bayamon, PR – Council #15164

Educational Partner: Colegio Hostosiano  

Milwaukee,WI – Council #333

Educational Partner: El Puente High School

For more funding opportunities, visit LULAC.org/funding.