Driving
Towards Change
Integrity
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Perseverance
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Passion
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Innovation
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Education
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Opportunity
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Integrity · Perseverance · Passion · Innovation · Education · Opportunity ·
Donate Now
Help us build a permanent home for hands-on EV training, foundation operations, and community innovation in Richmond County. The John C. Felder Foundation is raising $150,000 toward a dedicated home base — one building that will serve three purposes at once: a hands-on EV Training Center, foundation offices, and the Center for Innovation and Opportunity. A community space designed to spark new ideas, partnerships, and pathways for Richmond County residents.
Our Mission
The John C. Felder Foundation exists to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of innovators by expanding access to careers in advanced automotive technology, electric vehicles, and sustainable transportation. Through scholarships, educational partnerships, mentorship, and community engagement, the Foundation invests in students who demonstrate integrity, perseverance, academic excellence, and a commitment to building a better future. Inspired by the pioneering legacy of John C. Felder, the Foundation is dedicated to removing barriers to opportunity while preparing young leaders to shape tomorrow's transportation industry.
His Story
John C. Felder’s story began in Hamlet, North Carolina, where his family’s roots run deep in the Dobbins Heights community, historically known as the North Yard.
From those beginnings, John built a remarkable career in the automotive industry. His path took him beyond his hometown and across international borders, where he became the first American to sell automobiles in Cuba in more than 60 years. His work with electric vehicles reflects the same spirit of innovation and determination that has defined his journey.
Today, John is bringing that experience home with a new purpose: creating opportunities for the next generation. Through the John C. Felder Foundation, he is investing in students pursuing careers in electric vehicle technology and helping prepare them for the future of transportation. John’s story is about where you come from, where you go, and what you choose to leave behind.
History. Community. Legacy.
Our Scholarship Program
Education. Innovation. Integrity.
The future of transportation needs skilled people ready to lead it. The John C. Felder Foundation invests in the next generation of automotive professionals by providing scholarships to students pursuing training as Certified Electric Vehicle Technicians. Scholarships help remove financial barriers by supporting tuition, tools, and certification costs. This is more than a scholarship.
It is an opportunity to learn.
An opportunity to build.
An opportunity to lead.
The future deserves our investment.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions or sign up to receive email updates about our work and how you can support us.