January 5, 2016,  Windsor, Ontario - The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of FCA US LLC, today announced $60,000 in grants to 12 FIRST Robotics teams in Canada. The grants will offset the costs associated with items such as registration fees, parts and materials and team apparel for an estimated 150 students.

“The real-world experience that students gain through their participation in FIRST programs is invaluable in preparing students for the future,” said John Nigro, Vice President - Product Development, FCA - North America. “We are equally proud of our employees who generously give their time and skills to help mentor students and serve as competition coordinators.”   
 
The FCA Foundation’s grant announcement coincides with the official start (Jan. 9) of the 2016 FIRST Robotics design and build season. During this six-week phase, teams will build, program and test robots with the guidance of adult mentors. It’s estimated that more than 3,100 teams comprised of 78,000+ students from around the world will compete for glory in First Stronghold, this year’s design challenge. Teams that win their regional qualifiers will compete for the 2016 FIRST Championship at the Edward Jones Dome, April 27-30 in St. Louis.

VIDEO: View teaser for the 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition game: https://youtu.be/FVLdJdoKK2E

“We are proud to support an organization that taps into such formidable minds and encourages deeper levels of ingenuity within the pillars of STEM,” said Lesley Slavitt, Head of Civic Engagement, FCA US LLC, and CEO of the FCA Foundation.

12 Canadian FIRST Robotics Competition teams received $5,000 grants from the FCA Foundation:

• Purple Raiders, Assumption College Catholic High School      
• Infinity Robotics, Maranatha Christian Academy         
• Viral Vortex, Tecumseh Vista Academy  
• Knight Vision, Holy Names High School    
• Cougar Robotics, Cardinal Carter    
• Hawktobots, Harrow District High School              
• Sabre Bytes, Sandwich Secondary School             
• Falcons, Ecole secondaire Michel Gratton    
• Mustangs, Vincent Massey Secondary School  
• Automatons, Belle River High School      
• LaserBots, St. Joseph High School       
• Saints Bot, St. Anne’s Catholic High School        

 
Throughout Canada and the United States, the total overall amount awarded by the FCA Foundation for the 2015-2016 academic year stands at $310,000.
 
“Since 1995, the FCA Foundation has awarded more than $2.6 million in grants to FIRST programs,” Slavitt added.
 
FCA Canada
Founded as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925, FCA Canada Inc. is based in Windsor, Ontario, and celebrates its 97th anniversary in 2022. FCA Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of FCA, a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA Canada has approximately 440 dealers that sell Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo products, as well as SRT performance products. The company also distributes Mopar and Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. In addition to its assembly facilities, which produce the Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Chrysler Voyager and Chrysler Grand Caravan (Windsor) and Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger (Brampton), FCA Canada operates an aluminum casting plant in Etobicoke, a research and development centre in Windsor, and has sales offices and parts distribution centers throughout the country.