The Lexus Pursuit of Potential - MotorShow

Lexus’ Commitment to Children’s Charities
Helps U.S. Kids ‘Pursue Their Potential’
PRESS INFORMATION
As part of its corporate philosophy, Lexus has always believed in giving back to communities. That
view is very consistent with Lexus customers’ beliefs that they are “blessed” with what they have and their
desire to “to pay it forward.” In fact, according to research by American Express Publishing and The
Harrison Group*, on average, Lexus customers give nearly twice as much money to charity as other
affluent customers who do not own Lexus cars.
To align with Lexus customers’ wishes to “pay it forward,” Lexus focused on investing in the future
of children and developed The Lexus Pursuit of Potential philanthropy program. Its mission statement is:
“Lexus believes that children have the potential, and the desire, to make the world a better place.
To encourage them to pursue their dreams, Lexus will support organizations that build, shape and
improve children’s lives.”
Under The Lexus Pursuit of Potential banner, Lexus has developed numerous programs.
For the third year, Lexus is partnering with Scholastic on the Lexus Eco Challenge. This program
is open to middle and high school students who form teams to address environmental challenges in their
communities and the world at large. Since the program began, more than 8,500 students have
participated and more than $2 million in scholarships and grants have been awarded. For the
2009/2010 school year, a total of $500,000 in scholarships and grants is available to the students from
schools that demonstrate the most innovative and comprehensive programs to benefit the environment.
Last year, one grand-prize winning school made biodiesel from cooking oil reclaimed from local
fast-food restaurants and powered a diesel car. The other grand prize winner sent solar ovens with
recipes using local ingredients, and seedlings for reforestation, to Haitian refugees.
“When it comes to improving the environment, it’s amazing how much time and passion these
kids put into the Lexus Eco Challenge,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general
manager. “But more importantly, the students tell us that they learn they can make a difference in the world
and that they can do anything they set their minds to. That’s a valuable lesson for them to learn at a young
age and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
*Annual Survey of Affluence and Wealth in America 2007
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Lexus Pursuit of Potential
Another program that benefited kids and the environment was the “Lexus Keys to Innovation”
program in conjunction with singer Alicia Keys. In spring 2009, Keys and Lexus honored inner-city
schools that had implemented innovative environmental programs. The grand-prize winner was Thomas
Jefferson High School in Los Angeles which used the grant money to establish a green space to act as a
natural barrier to the industrial factories next to the campus.
In partnership with the United States Golf Association, Lexus donates money to help fund golf
clinics for juniors through the National Alliance for Youth Sports’ “Hook a Kid on Golf.” In addition to
learning the basics of the game, the clinics help teach confidence and life skills.
Lexus also partners with the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors to sponsor its annual fundraising
dinner. The partnership began in 2005 and Lexus has helped to raise more than a million dollars for
cancer research. The current project is to help fund research at the Board of Governors Heart Stem Cell
Center which uses the patient’s own stem cells to regenerate the ailing heart.
Since Lexus’ inception in 1989, it has supported “Champions for Charity,” a series of golf
tournaments across the U.S. To date, more than 3,000 tournaments have raised more than $135 million
for charities such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, March of Dimes
and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“I’ve always believed that the car business is really about people,” said Templin. “People make cars,
people sell cars, and people buy cars. By giving back to communities, we demonstrate our respect for the
all the people who help make Lexus a success.”
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