Zipcar, Inc. today announced the launch of the “Communities with Drive” program, sponsored by Zipcar and Ford Motor Company. Communities with Drive is a national contest to seek and reward organisations that are having a profound impact on the communities in which they operate.

Now through Monday, June 30 non-profit organisations are encouraged to enter for the chance to win the grand prize of $50,000 cash and $15,450 in Zipcar credit. The Communities with Drive program asks candidates to tell Zipcar who they are, what they do and the impact they have. Zipcar also wants to know how having “wheels when you want them” would improve their ability to deliver on their mission.

“Communities with Drive is our way of recognising and rewarding local organisations doing their part to make cities better places to live,” says Zipcar President, Kaye Ceille. “With Ford’s support, we’re looking forward to seeing the great work being done in cities across the country, and helping these organisations better fulfill their mission.”

Zipcar will announce up to 25 finalists in June. The public will vote to determine the grand prize winner among these finalists. Communities with Drive will award a total of $200,000 in cash and Zipcar credit to the outstanding selected finalists. The Grand Prize winner will receive $50,000 in cash, as well as $15,450 in Zipcar credit to support their organisation’s needs. Three runner-ups will receive $7,000 in cash and $8,100 in Zipcar credit. Additionally, all finalists will receive at least $2,000 in cash as well as $2,250 in Zipcar credit.

“We at Ford are excited to see a relationship that started with the Ford Focus and Escape continue to expand the future of transportation and improve communities across the country,” said Jim Farley, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln. “Through this new program we can empower more organisations to meet their goals while helping Ford and Zipcar reduce congestion in the cities and local communities they support.”

Ford and Zipcar’s partnership took off in 2011 when Ford became the largest vehicle provider in Zipcar’s University program, introducing a new generation of drivers to fuel-efficient vehicles including the Ford Focus and Escape.