The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation, the philanthropic division of Enterprise Holdings, has announced a new pledge to the US Urban League.

The new three-year, $3 million grant coincides with the celebration of the League’s 100th anniversary and will support the organisation’s Whitney M. Young Jr. Center for Urban Leadership.

The National Urban League renowned across the US and the world as a civil rights organisation that is dedicated to empowering local economies to raise the general standard of living in historically poor urban communities. The Whitney M. Young Jr. Center is an initiative to help sustain the National Urban League’s movements via the development of both current and future leaders, which it achieves through the provision of funding and administrative tools across the 100 affiliates of the group throughout the US.

President and CEO of the National Urban League, Marc Morial, welcomed the announcement, stating that Enterprise had proven an important partner to his organisation’s efforts to inspire and develop future business leaders, adding that the League was extremely grateful for the support afforded by the partnership. Enterprise Holdings and the National Urban League have been in coalition on a number of projects since first joining forces in 2002, with Enterprise members serving on the National League’s Board of Trustees in addition to underwriting landmark studies.

Andy Taylor, Enterprise Holdings Chairman and CEO, who served as General Chairman at the League’s 2002 National Conference, said the league was a major ally to the US business community and said his company was delighted to be able to continue its ongoing support.