AutoNation gives to Broward’s homeless plan

Grant will match up to $300,000 in 2018

AutoNation Chairman and CEO Mike Jackson is putting his money where his mouth is.

The Fort Lauderdale-based auto retail giant on Thursday announced it has made a $300,000 matching grant to Broward County’s homeless initiative, which Jackson is co-leading. AutoNation will match 100 percent of all new donations up to $300,000 made to United We End Homelessness through year’s end.

The grant is designed to kick off fundraising efforts for the joint initiative between the United Way of Broward County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and the Broward Business Council on Homelessness.

“We are challenging the members of the Broward Business Community with a matching grant because we care about quality of life for our current and future residents, and the homeless individuals themselves. We must do more to create a home for all,” Jackson said in a news release on Thursday.

In May, Broward leaders announced the new initiative to help end homelessness in the county. Besides Jackson, Castle Group CEO James Donnelly also is leading the effort.

Former banking executive Lynne Wines was hired in June to manage United We End Homelessness.

Phase one of the project focuses on the establishment of permanent housing units and ancillary services for the chronically homeless in downtown Fort Lauderdale.