Ride-hailing service Uber is donating $1 million to organizations supporting U.S. veterans to celebrate signing up its 50,000th veteran as a driver, the company said on Thursday.
The donation is part of the company’s efforts, under its UberMilitary program, to provide driving jobs to service members, veterans, and military spouses. Among the organizations it has chosen are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and Homes for our Troops.
Uber senior VP of business Emil Michael’s own military service inspired him to start UberMilitary, he said in a blog post. He served as special assistant to Dr. Robert Gates when he was the U.S. defense secretary. Gates now leads the advisory board of UberMilitary.
Uber’s announcement comes at a time when unemployment for post-9/11 veterans is declining, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest data.
By 2020, Uber says it wants to help UberMilitary drivers earn $500 million.