Toyota driving student success with $4.2M grant for Huntsville City Schools

HUNTSVILLE – For nearly 25 years, Toyota Alabama has assembled engines, invested in the workforce and strengthened the Huntsville community.

Today, Huntsville students will take the wheel of hands-on STEM programs thanks to a grant of up to $4.2 million through Toyota’s Driving Possibilities and Toyota USA Foundation.

“Toyota is assembling more than just engines in Huntsville – we’re investing in our future,” said Marc Perry, Toyota Alabama president. “Engaging students early nurtures curiosity and equips them with essential skills to support their academic journey and help prepare them for future success in STEM careers.”

Driving Possibilities is an initiative funded by Toyota USA Foundation with additional funds provided by Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services.

The initiative is aimed at expanding access to quality STEM education and career pathways. Today’s announcement builds on a previous $6.7 million commitment, bringing Toyota’s total Driving Possibilities investment in Huntsville to nearly $11 million.

“Huntsville City Schools is proud to continue the Toyota USA Foundation’s Driving Possibilities initiative to help enhance STEM education across our district,” said Dr. Clarence Sutton, Huntsville City Schools superintendent. “Continuing our collaboration with Toyota, we remain committed, together, to creating customized learning experiences that foster academic achievement and personal growth, inspiring success both inside and outside the classroom.”

The partnership with the school system and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation aims to close educational gaps through innovative, hands-on STEM programming and wrap-around student support.

“The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation is honored to collaborate with Toyota and Huntsville City Schools in shaping the future of our community and workforce by investing in today’s students,” said Lyndsay Ferguson, executive director of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation. “Strategic partnerships like this are essential to sustaining Huntsville’s reputation as ASmartPlace — where education and industry work hand in hand to prepare the next generation for the careers of tomorrow.”

New programming will include:

• A STEM coordinator serving the entire school district.
• Embedding STEM coaches in six elementary and two middle schools to enhance learning through integrated STEM concepts across core subject curricula.
• Care Closets at 10 schools with the Caring Link, a Madison County nonprofit, will be added to provide teachers with quick access to essentials, including new clothing, school supplies, toiletries and snacks to help meet students’ needs.
• Funding monthly training sessions to be provided by Second Mile, a local nonprofit, to increase parent engagement.
• Fostering critical STEM skills development by funding Greenpower USA cars for 10 schools, creating manufacturing and project management experience for students.

“For nearly 25 years, Toyota Alabama has been an incredible part of our community — not only assembling engines — but building opportunities and opening new career pathways for our students,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “This generous investment continues to close educational gaps, and we are grateful to Toyota for their commitment to educating Huntsville’s future.”

Toyota’s announcement in 2023 supported the creation of an industrial tech program at the recently opened Huntsville City Schools Center for Technology. The program creates a direct pathway into high-demand manufacturing careers for high school students.

Driving Possibilities in Alabama has also funded teacher coaches, with support from the New Teacher Center, a national nonprofit aimed to provide coaching and professional development to new teachers.

“We believe every student should have access to opportunities and a clear path to high-growth careers, regardless of their background,” said Ana Meade, vice president of sustainable development at Toyota. “Through Driving Possibilities, we strive to remove barriers and create limitless possibilities, so communities can access quality STEM jobs in the future.”