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Enterprise Mobility Foundation

Annual Giving
$72.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $6.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Enterprise Mobility Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $72.9 million (FY2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Several months
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $6,000,000 (average $25,000)
  • Geographic Focus: North America and Europe (70+ operating groups)
  • Total Assets: $545.5 million (FY2024)

Contact Details

Email: giving@em.com

Website: https://www.enterprisemobility.com/en/our-impact/foundation.html

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri

Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation (EIN: 43-1262762)

Overview

The Enterprise Mobility Foundation (formerly Enterprise Holdings Foundation), established in 1982, serves as the philanthropic arm of Enterprise Holdings—parent company of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rent A Car. With total assets of $545.5 million and annual charitable disbursements of $72.9 million (FY2024), the Foundation has contributed over half a billion dollars to thousands of nonprofits since inception. The Foundation operates on a unique employee-driven model where 98% of grants fulfill requests submitted directly by employees, focusing on environmental protection, health and human services, education, disaster relief, and social equity. Under the leadership of President Carolyn Kindle since 2019, the Foundation has expanded its strategic initiatives including Fill Your Tank (food insecurity), ROAD Forward (social equity), and major environmental partnerships, distributing $113+ million in FY2025 across global communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Employee-Nominated Grants: $2,500 - $5,000 (typical range for employee-submitted applications on rolling basis)

ROAD Forward Initiative: $165 million commitment through 2030

  • Addresses social and racial equity gaps through early childhood development, youth health/wellness, and career/college preparation
  • $7 million distributed to 600+ nonprofits in 2024 alone
  • $44 million distributed to 1,000+ organizations across 400+ communities to date

Fill Your Tank: $210 million commitment through 2030

  • Addresses food insecurity through partnerships with food banks
  • $90 million granted to 670 organizations globally since 2016
  • Key partners: Feeding America ($30 million renewed commitment through 2030), Food Banks Canada, Global FoodBanking Network

Environmental Initiatives:

  • 50 Million Tree Pledge: Partnership with Arbor Day Foundation to plant 50 million trees by 2056 (17+ million planted to date)
  • Urban Tree Initiative: Since 2018, focuses on communities impacted by natural disasters or lacking greenspace
  • Routes & Roots Healthy Rivers Project: Partnership with The Nature Conservancy for freshwater ecosystem protection

Disaster Relief: Partnership with American Red Cross, $1 million annually since 2015

Application Methods: Rolling basis for employee-nominated grants; strategic partnerships managed directly by Foundation leadership

Priority Areas

  • Social and Racial Equity: Early childhood development, youth health and wellness, career and college preparation (ROAD Forward focus)
  • Food Insecurity: Local food banks and food programs in communities where Enterprise operates
  • Environmental Stewardship: Reforestation, urban forestry, freshwater ecosystem protection
  • Disaster Relief: Emergency support and long-term recovery
  • Education: Particularly higher education and career readiness programs
  • Workforce Development: Job training and career preparation
  • Community Development: Neighborhood revitalization in areas where Enterprise operates

What They Don't Fund

  • Schools (except higher education), athletic teams, and houses of worship
  • Individuals and employee-created charities
  • Political and labor organizations
  • School clubs, fraternities, sororities, and alumni associations
  • Private foundations
  • Tuition, memberships, event tickets, and virtual events
  • Terrorist organizations or groups condoning violence

Governance and Leadership

Carolyn Kindle, President (since 2019): Third-generation member of the Taylor family leading Enterprise Mobility. Began as intern at Enterprise Rent-A-Car while at University of Tulsa, progressed through various management roles before shifting to philanthropy in 2010. Promoted to VP & executive director in 2013, senior VP in 2017, and president in 2019. Also serves as CEO of St. Louis CITY SC (MLS team) and holds board positions with SSM Health, St. Louis Police Foundation, and Regional Business Council.

Kindle states: "Witnessing the meaningful and impactful progress [through ROAD Forward] over the last four years has been truly inspiring."

Errin Braddock, Chief Diversity Officer: Provides strategic oversight for ROAD Forward initiative. Notes: "ROAD Forward reflects our promise to empower organizations best equipped to bridge equity gaps."

Board of Trustees: Works with Foundation president and Enterprise Mobility corporate officers to review charitable requests. Former trustee Russ Willey (now Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Enterprise Mobility) served three years on the board.

Foundation Approach: Under Kindle's leadership, the Foundation focuses on "identifying the best ways to offer sustained support to thousands of registered nonprofits focusing on improving communities, education and environmental stewardship."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This Foundation does NOT have a traditional public application process. Grant applications can only be submitted by Enterprise Mobility employees and their spouses or domestic partners who regularly volunteer or serve on a board or committee on behalf of the nonprofit organization with which they are actively involved.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be nominated by an Enterprise Mobility team member or their spouse/domestic partner
  • Applicant must regularly volunteer or serve on the nonprofit's board or committee
  • Organization must be a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit or equivalent
  • Must be in good standing with recognized tax authorities
  • Must have current contribution receipts

How Organizations Get Supported:

  1. Employee Nomination: 98% of Foundation grants fulfill requests submitted directly by employees
  2. Strategic Partnerships: Major initiatives (ROAD Forward, Fill Your Tank, environmental programs) are managed through direct partnerships with national and local organizations
  3. Community Identification: For ROAD Forward specifically, employees help identify and nominate local organizations addressing social and racial equity gaps

Contact: For inquiries, reach out to giving@em.com

Getting on Their Radar

Build Relationships with Enterprise Employees: Since nearly all grants are employee-nominated, developing authentic relationships with Enterprise Mobility team members who volunteer in your sector is critical. The Foundation specifically empowers employees to identify organizations working in their communities.

Engage in Communities Where Enterprise Operates: The Foundation prioritizes areas where Enterprise has a business presence, with particular emphasis on St. Louis, Missouri (headquarters) and communities across their 70+ operating groups in North America and Europe.

Align with Strategic Initiatives: Organizations working in ROAD Forward priority areas (early childhood development, youth health/wellness, career/college preparation), food security, environmental conservation, or disaster relief have greater opportunity for larger grants through the Foundation's national partnerships.

Demonstrate Community Impact: The Foundation seeks organizations "best equipped to bridge equity gaps" and those making measurable impact in their communities. Document outcomes and community connections clearly.

Decision Timeline

Standard Employee-Nominated Grants: Several months from submission to decision. The Foundation conducts thorough reviews evaluating alignment with values, potential impact, and organizational capabilities.

Strategic Partnerships: Timeline varies based on scope and scale of partnership.

Application Schedule: Rolling deadlines for employee-nominated grants (applications accepted year-round).

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation is highly active with:

  • 7,850 awards in 2022
  • 5,804 awards in 2021
  • 670+ organizations supported through Fill Your Tank
  • 1,000+ organizations supported through ROAD Forward
  • Average grant size of $25,000 suggests broad distribution across many recipients

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not explicitly stated in public materials. Given the rolling application process and employee-driven model, organizations may be nominated multiple times, though specific restrictions or waiting periods are not documented.

Application Success Factors

Employee Connection is Essential: With 98% of grants fulfilling employee requests, having an authentic relationship with an Enterprise Mobility team member who volunteers with your organization is the single most critical factor.

Demonstrate Local Impact: The Foundation emphasizes "strengthening communities one neighborhood at a time" (honoring founder Jack Taylor's vision). Show specific, measurable impact in your community.

Align with Priority Areas: Organizations addressing social equity, food insecurity, environmental stewardship, disaster relief, or workforce development have clearest alignment with Foundation priorities.

Active Volunteer Engagement: The employee nominating your organization must "regularly volunteer or serve on a board or committee"—casual connections won't suffice.

Geographic Considerations: Organizations in St. Louis and other communities with significant Enterprise presence have advantages, though the Foundation operates globally.

Show Sustainability: With major multi-year commitments like ROAD Forward ($165M through 2030) and Fill Your Tank ($210M through 2030), the Foundation values "sustained support" for long-term community change.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • ROAD Forward 2024: Collaborative for Children (Houston), Girls on the Run, historically Black colleges including Fayetteville State University and Morgan State University Foundation, Los Angeles and San Diego Urban Leagues, Second Chance Schools (France), Children's Books Ireland
  • Fill Your Tank: Capital Area Food Bank (DC), Feeding South Florida, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Greater Boston Food Bank, St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance (Arizona)
  • St. Louis Area: Matthews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club, Parents as Teachers, St. Louis Public Schools Foundation, Ranken Technical College
  • Environmental: Nature Conservancy, Arbor Day Foundation projects globally
  • Veterans: Fisher House Foundation, Clark County Veterans Assistance (Washington), U.S. Vets, Military Bowl Foundation

Leadership Guidance: Foundation President Carolyn Kindle emphasizes identifying "the best ways to offer sustained support" and seeking organizations with proven community impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Employee connection is mandatory: You cannot apply directly. Build genuine relationships with Enterprise Mobility employees who volunteer in your sector—this is the only pathway to Foundation funding.
  • Think local first: While the Foundation has global reach, 98% of grants come from employee nominations focused on their local communities where Enterprise operates.
  • Multi-year strategic partnerships available: Beyond the $2,500-$5,000 employee grants, the Foundation commits massive resources ($165M+ to ROAD Forward, $210M+ to Fill Your Tank) to aligned organizations.
  • Priority areas are clear: Social equity (especially early childhood, youth health, career readiness), food insecurity, environmental conservation, and disaster relief receive the most strategic focus.
  • Geographic advantage matters: St. Louis and communities with strong Enterprise presence (70+ operating groups across North America and Europe) see higher grant activity.
  • Patience required: Decision timeline spans several months due to thorough review processes.
  • Scale varies dramatically: Grants range from $1,000 to $6 million, with most employee-nominated grants at $2,500-$5,000 and strategic partnerships in the millions.

References

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