For the third consecutive year, the Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward initiative is awarding grants to more than 600 local nonprofit organizations as part of Enterprise’s five-year, $55 million ROAD Forward commitment.

This year’s round of grants to local nonprofits, totaling more than $7 million, will be distributed from the organization’s 70-plus operating groups in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

To date, more than 980 nonprofits have received $33 million in grants from ROAD Forward. More than 70% of the 2023 recipients received a grant all three years.

“This program is providing real and tangible benefits to help address social and racial equity in the communities where we operate,” Enterprise Holdings Foundation president Carolyn Kindle said in a news release.

“From supporting social and mental health within at-risk communities to promoting equity and opportunity for minority business owners to empowering students from low-income backgrounds to pursue higher education, we’re proud to champion hundreds of exceptional organizations as they continue to grow their positive impact.”

The program empowers Enterprise’s employees to help identify local organizations working to address social and racial equity gaps in their communities and nominate them for a grant.

Grant recipients in North America include three-time recipients 100 Black Men DC, which supports childhood success through mentorship, and The Bottom Line, which partners with first-generation students from low-income backgrounds to pursue higher education, and first-time grant recipient RISE 5280, an organization dedicated to closing educational achievement gaps and promoting fiscal and social mobility.

“Since its inception, this program has been addressing systemic, long-standing social and racial equity gaps in our communities in a variety of critical ways,” Enterprise Holdings chief diversity officer Errin Braddock said. “It’s been inspiring to witness the ROAD Forward initiative’s broad reach across seven countries and over 400 communities.”

The ROAD Forward commitment focuses on the four pillars of Respect, Opportunity, Achievement and Diversity for youth and families by helping to address social and racial equity gaps in three key areas: early childhood development, youth health and wellness, and career and college preparation.