Lithia & Driveway said Tuesday it is investing $500,000 in more than 200 nonprofit youth and community organizations through its Lithia4Kids Community Giving Grants.

The program partners with organizations focused on educating and strengthening communities in which Lithia operates. The latest grants will support initiatives like schools, children’s hospitals and youth enrichment.

Nearly 375 grant applications were submitted this year. Lithia chose the recipients based on the program’s pillars of education, advocacy and youth support.

The retailer began presenting the grants earlier this year to nonprofit partners in Southern Oregon; Southern California; Portland, Ore.; Spokane, Wash.; Lexington, Ky.; Norfolk, Va.; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Miami.

Lithia will continue presenting grants for the rest of the year.

“As an extension of the relationships that our local dealerships have built in their communities, the Lithia4Kids Community Giving Grants allow us to make a direct impact on the children in the community,” said Brittany Osterhout, who is Lithia’s senior manager of corporate sponsorships.

“We’re proud to support organizations that are creating brighter futures for children and their families through safe spaces to play, learn, and further strengthen their community.”

Grant submissions for next year can be submitted from Nov. 1-30 at this website:  https://www.lithia4kids.com/submission.