• Hands-On STEM Program, Community Resource Centers for Chandler, Tempe Students

CHANDLER, Ariz., March 5, 2024  /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota USA Foundation announced grants of up to $9.3 million to prepare Chandler and Tempe students for future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The collaboration is part of the Driving Possibilities initiative and is a five-year phased rollout of programing in select schools.

"Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our Toyota team members live and work," said Tellis Bethel, group vice president of social innovation, Toyota. "With nearly $2 million in the first year, and more to come in years ahead, we're looking forward to the expansion of Driving Possibilities in the Phoenix area."   

Driving Possibilities focuses on PreK-12 education and builds on existing programs across the country. The long-term initiative's aim is to close educational gaps for students through innovative, hands-on STEM programming while addressing the essential needs of students and families.

"Ever since we opened our first office in Chandler in 2001, Toyota team members have been actively involved in giving back to this community," says Scott Cooke, Toyota Financial Services president and CEO. "We consider it a privilege to support educators from the Tempe and Chandler school districts who work so diligently to give young people the knowledge and skillsets which will allow them to pursue their dreams."

Today's announcement supports a STEM Curriculum Pathway for elementary and middle school students. The grants will also help build community resource centers to house after-school and essential services to help provide for students and their families.

In 2022, the Toyota USA Foundation announced Driving Possibilities, a national, career readiness and community engagement initiative, launched to prepare youth for the careers of tomorrow. It 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 Toyota USA Foundation, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services (TFS). 

Chandler and Tempe area schools are the sixth site to launch Driving Possibilities programming, which is based on more than 60 years of active support in Toyota communities across the U.S. and builds off the successful model in West Dallas.

Toyota USA Foundation
The Toyota USA Foundation is a charitable endowment created to support education programs serving PreK through 12th-grade students and their teachers in the United States, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). For more information about the Toyota USA Foundation, visit www.toyotaeffect.com/impact. 

About Toyota Financial Services 
Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the brand for finance and related products for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also offers vehicle and payment protection products through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). The company services Lexus dealers and customers using the Lexus Financial Services brand.

As of March 31, 2023, TFS employed approximately 3,800 team members nationwide, and had assets totaling over $137 billion. The company is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.

We announce material financial information using the investor relations section of our website (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings. We use these channels, press releases, and social media to communicate about our company, our services and other issues. While not all information we post on social media is of a material nature, some information could be material. Therefore, we encourage those interested in our company to review our messages on X, formerly known as Twitter, at www.x.com/toyotafinancial and posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toyotafinancial.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota's 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 27 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

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