HUNTSVILLE – A trailblazing business leader and philanthropist joined a unique business operation Thursday in being recognized for their contributions to the area.
At its annual Summit on Philanthropy, the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announced donors have distributed nearly $100 million in grants since 2008, marking a major milestone in the organization’s 17-year history.
(Community Foundation/Steve Babin photo)
The event also featured the presentation of the 2025 Community Philanthropy Award and a significant charitable gift announcement.
Presented by Meta, this year’s summit theme was “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants,” honoring the leaders and givers whose vision has shaped the foundation’s growth and impact.
CEO Melissa Thompson said the foundation now manages more than $75 million in charitable assets, all focused on mobilizing generosity throughout the region.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Community Philanthropy Award to Mazda Toyota Manufacturing.
The world’s only joint venture between Mazda Motor Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp., MTM was recognized for its deep and ongoing investment in North Alabama.
Since its founding in 2018, MTM has contributed over $2.5 million to local communities through corporate giving and the MTM Grant Fund, which is hosted by the Community Foundation.
In 2025 alone, the fund surpassed $1 million in grants to organizations across Madison, Limestone, and Morgan counties, supporting initiatives in education, economic development, and quality of life.
“Many people don’t realize that there is only one Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in the world, and it exists right here in Huntsville, Alabama,” said Rhonda Gilyard, MTM’s vice president of Administration, in accepting the award. “That is why it is so important to us to invest in this community: to invest in the people who live here, and not just the ones who work for us.”
The event also honored the lasting legacy of Ellenae Hart Fairhurst, the first African American woman to own a Lexus dealership – the Huntsville Autoplex.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Fairhurst overcame systemic barriers and mentored countless others along the way. Her enduring spirit of generosity will continue through a donor advised fund established at the Community Foundation, ensuring that her impact lives on for generations.
“We stand here tonight on the shoulders of giants like Ellenae Fairhurst, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, and the hundreds of other donors who make our work possible,” said Thompson. “The story of the Community Foundation’s 17-year history is one of visionaries who dreamed boldly, leaders who guided faithfully, and donors whose generosity continues to be a force for good every day.”
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