HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CDK Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDK), a leading retail automotive technology company, today announced it deepens its promise to corporate responsibility and sustainability in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Three non-profit organizations dedicated to enhancing and increasing access to education will receive a total of $70,000 pledged by CDK. These contributions will aid Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana, greenlight for girls, and the ASE Education Foundation in their efforts to support inclusive and equitable, quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Since announcing its main corporate philanthropy initiative last August, CDK has directed nearly 90 percent of its corporate giving to causes related to education.
“Now more than ever, we understand that not everyone has equal access to a traditional learning environment where they can receive a quality education,” said Amy Byrne, executive vice president, chief human resources and communications officer, CDK Global. “Through our corporate philanthropic partnerships, we are investing in programs that help create the next generation of leaders by improving access to knowledge and enhancing the skills of people from all backgrounds.”
Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana
Like nearly all industry events, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) converted its annual, in-person trade show to be hosted in New Orleans this year to a virtual format. While it was the safest option, this move resulted in lost revenue opportunities to spur local economic growth. CDK was passionate about finding another way to support the New Orleans community. With a $25,000 donation to Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana, CDK will be the inaugural sponsor of a new literacy program for the 2021-2022 school year. This program will serve 75 children per day for one year and is expected to benefit students by addressing social challenges, improving overall school performance, and increasing standardized test scores.
“We are thankful to have CDK Global as our inaugural sponsor for our literacy program in Southeast Louisiana,” says Deborah J. Verges, interim CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana. “Together, through this partnership, we will continue to create a rich Club Experience where all youth are effective, engaged, adaptive learners who are on track with literacy.”
To learn more about the CDK partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana, watch this video.
greenlight for girls (g4g)
The partnership between CDK and g4g began in July 2020 and included developing educational materials for girls in STEM subjects. It later grew into a learning activity where CDK staff built solar charger kits donated to Boys and Girls Clubs in the United States and Snehalaya and Cherish Foundation in India to foster science curiosity among students.
In 2021, CDK will sponsor a virtual learning, innovation, and mentoring series where Design Thinking will meet STEM. CDK will donate $25,000 to the program, which runs throughout 2021 and will involve local Boys and Girls Clubs. CDK employees will also have the opportunity to review content designed in the program and serve as mentors.
"Our g4g partners share a common vision – to make a positive difference in the future, and it is our great pleasure to have CDK Global as one of our partners,” says Melissa Rancourt, founder, and chairman, greenlight for girls. “Together, we design hands-on learning opportunities that achieve significant reach, impact, and resonance to our sustainable development and societal goals. 2021 brings the opportunity to do more, reach more children, engage more role models, and inspire local communities of girls and boys to build their curiosity, abilities, and aspirations in STEM. We look forward to the value we can bring together in the year ahead."
To learn more about the CDK partnership with g4g, watch this video.
ASE Education Foundation
Since 2019, CDK and ASE Education Foundation have partnered to educate, prepare, and inspire a new generation of the automotive service workforce. The Foundation’s Board realized current offerings were not reaching young women and minority students and asked if CDK could help. In 2021, CDK will donate $20,000 for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion assessment of ASE’s educational programs and promote ways to ensure curriculum reaches a broader spectrum of the student population.
“CDK Global has partnered with the Foundation to support the 2,300 ASE-accredited programs nationwide, impacting more than 5,000 instructors and 50,000 students every year,” says Michael Coley, president, ASE Education Foundation. “It matters to our industry that organizations like CDK Global are willing to step up and show they strongly support top-quality career and technical education for the next generation of service technicians. The future of the service industry is brighter because of their contributions.”
To learn more about the CDK partnership with ASE Education Foundation, watch this video.
About CDK Global
CDK Global (NASDAQ:CDK) is a leading provider of integrated data and technology solutions to the automotive, heavy truck, recreation, and heavy equipment industries. Focused on enabling end-to-end, omnichannel retail commerce through open, agnostic technology, CDK Global provides solutions to dealers and original equipment manufacturers, serving nearly 15,000 retail locations in North America. CDK solutions connect people with technology by automating and integrating all parts of the dealership and buying process, including the acquisition, sale, financing, insuring, parts supply, repair, and maintenance of vehicles. Visit cdkglobal.com.
About Boys and Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,700 Clubs serve 4.6 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America at bgca.org.
About g4g
g4g is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to inspire girls of all ages and backgrounds to pursue STEM subjects – by introducing them to the world of science in fun and exciting ways! The organization has reached more than 47,000 children by holding more than 300 g4g events held on six of the world’s seven continents (including the US, India, Belgium, Russia, Nigeria, Australia, Mexico, etc.). Find more information at greenlightforgirls.org.
About ASE Education Foundation
The ASE Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that evaluates and accredits entry-level automotive technology education programs against standards developed by the automotive service industry. It also develops career-readiness education for students which fuse local partnerships, rigorous standard-based education, workplace experience, and mentorship together. Visit aseeducationfoundation.org.
