BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. -

Former new-car dealer Tarik Daoud says education offers freedom — that’s why he takes part in the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation’s Ambassadors program, and points the way for other dealers to do the same.

“I’ve always maintained that education leads to freedom,” said Daoud, 77, who serves as a trustee on the board of the NADA Charitable Foundation. “When you have an education, you have the knowledge to pursue the things in life you want to do.”

Daoud began selling cars in the Detroit metro area in 1961, and earned a civil engineering degree from the Detroit Institute of Technology along with three honorary doctorate degrees. Today, he helps provide deserving students with scholarship grants set up by the NADA Foundation’s Ambassadors program.

“If a student wants to go to college, they need the financial resources to attend,” Daoud said. “Every little bit helps.”

To become an Ambassador, a dealer, company, association or individual makes a tax-deductible contribution of $10,000 in their name or in recognition of someone living or deceased.

Ambassadors are then eligible to provide $1,500 grants to organizations of their choice every three years in perpetuity.

In Daoud’s case, not only is he an Ambassador, but so are his wife, Helen, and son, John. Benefactors with three or more gifts of $10,000 to the program are designated Ambassadors of Distinction and can present $2,000 grants every year in perpetuity.

Since 1999, the Daoud family has provided nine grants through the program totaling $17,500, which have gone to Detroit-area schools.

“The NADA Foundation’s Ambassador program is a great resource that allows dealers to help people and give back to their communities,” Daoud said.

He also serves on the board of the Detroit Institute of Art, and provides scholarships to minority students attending Wayne State University in Detroit.

The NADA Foundation was established in 1975, as the philanthropic arm of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Funds are contributed by new-car and truck dealers and friends of the industry to support schools, private colleges and universities, emergency disaster relief and community service programs.

The Foundation reports that there are currently 630 Ambassadors who provide about $250,000 each year to organizations in the public or private sector.

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