Toyota makes $20M grant to the National Audubon Society

[GMinPA]

A reference was made in the Total Closures Being Sought at OBX thread regarding Toyota and the Audubon Society. Toyota has made a $20M grant to the National Audubon Society that will fund Audubons's TogetherGreen, a nationwide program designed to fund conservation projects and train environmental leaders. The $20 million Toyota grant will fund the program for five years.

Toyota's blog praises this program. The final paragraph contains this statement: Check it out. And if you like what you can see, pitch in. We think you’ll find that this project is worthy of your support, and that together, we can make a "green" difference.

Comments on the blog may not be exactly what Toyota was looking for. ;)

View the blog here:
http://blog.toyota.com/2008/03/toyota-and-the.html#more

I checked with sand flea and received his blessing to post the link.

[John81]

damn not one positive comment on that blog good work :)

[saltandsand]

John...I'll second that. The blog is telling Toyota alot. I heard the $20M will fund Audubon for 5 years?

[Drumdum]

Just sent one in that my better half wrote,hopefully they'll post it...

Got a tundra with 200k on it and it still runs like new,hate not to buy another,but it looks like it's in the cards...

[JeepMike]

Good lord DD how in the heck do you put 200k on a truck living here! You must do alotta vacationin! :-p

[EverSoDull]

View the blog here:
http://blog.toyota.com/2008/03/toyota-and-the.html#more



Now that is a funny blog! Even better than IMAO...

Thanks for the link!
:fishing:

[saltandsand]

Nissan ain't getting with all the OBX stuff...my 87 has tons of miles...but she's not dependable enough for a ride to the shore. Next one is USA made (if there is such a ride.)

[Drumdum]

Good lord DD how in the heck do you put 200k on a truck living here! You must do alotta vacationin! :-p

I'ts towed boats to Fla twice,but mostly it's a to and from work deal.. I work in Kitty Hawk,it's 68mi one way.... I don't drive it anymore,burns too much fuel,but still tows boat,and rides nice on a long trip.. Love that truck,it's a shame not to get another....

[1obxnut]

Here is their damage control teams response to the blog..

http://blog.toyota.com/2008/04/toyota-and-the.html#more

They say that the donation can only be used for "certain" projects..lets see...

[Hannibal]

Do they believe us to be fools? Anyone with ANY business sense knows this game and this spin.

Here is a classic:

"To those concerned about such legal and political issues, let me assure you, our involvement with the Audubon Society, and our donation, both are very specific. The Audubon Society may not use that money any way it wishes. Rather, it is compelled to spend it on nature centers, largely in the inner cities, that will create and offer environmental programs to young people. "

This is classic damage control and spinning. Bottom line here is that the Audubon Society now has another $20 million in their pocket to allocate as they see fit (and further fund their legal agendas). Toyota may claim that their funds go to specific events but the truth is, the Audubon can now reallocate the funds previously is place (for things such as "nature centers, largely in the inner cities, that will create and offer environmental programs to young people") to increase their budgets in the divisions of thier organization that are involved in the OBX issues.

Support is support - period. If you donate money, you are offsetting budgets/expenses in other areas of the company. You are insense freeing up funds (in part) for them to use how they see fit.

It's no different then the gov't saying "here is $250 to feed your family this month - this money MUST be spent on food." Well, since you already had the $250 for your needed grocies anyhow - you now, in sense, have $250 saved and available to spend elsewhere.

It's all bottom line cash management. Spare me the rhetoric.

[hic-lock]

Very well put Hannibal, hope you respond to his blog…