JANS – The Nissan Foundation is awarding $1.2 million in grants to 44 nonprofits promoting cultural understanding that leads to acceptance and appreciation of our differences. This is the most the Foundation has awarded in a single grant cycle. Grant recipients are based in communities surrounding Nissan facilities in Southern California, Middle Tennessee, Central Mississippi, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Southeast Michigan, New York City, North Central New Jersey, and Atlanta.
The Nissan Foundation has awarded approximately $17 million to more than 150 nonprofits since its founding in 1992. The Nissan Foundation was created as a direct response to the civil unrest that followed the Rodney King trial verdict. At that time, Nissan’s then U.S. sales headquarters was based just blocks from the riot’s epicenter.
“In the 32 years since the Nissan Foundation was created, it has helped organizations – big and small – develop and grow programming designed to increase understanding and acceptance of what makes us different,” says Chandra Vasser, President of the Nissan Foundation and Nissan’s first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. “It’s an honor to uplift the important work of our grantees who are bettering our world by providing safe spaces to explore our similarities while celebrating our differences.”
The 2024 grantees include mobile education programs, museums, history centers, libraries, and other nonprofits promoting the many benefits that diversity brings to society. Each funded program aligns with the Nissan Foundation’s mission of building community by valuing cultural diversity.
“I am thrilled that we’re able to further the innovative programming of 44 grantees this year,” said Ali Tonn, Nissan Foundation Executive Director. “These organizations are continually coming up with ways to reach new audiences and share the benefits of living and working together in a diverse society.”
Among this year’s grantees is New York-based One to World. The Nissan Foundation supports the organization’s global classroom program whereby international students enter the classrooms of elementary, middle, and high school students across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania to share about their home country and culture. It’s a connection that yields mutual benefits.
Another 2024 grantee is Nashville’s Global Education Center whose Passports to Understanding school outreach program exposes youth to various cultural, ethnic, and religious groups through concerts, museum presentations, and performances. The program is designed to promote cross-cultural understanding and respect.
A third grantee is the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Its Upstander Speaker Series showcases individuals and organizations that stand up for human rights on a local, national, or global level.
Mississippi grantees: Foundation for Mississippi History, “Two Mississippi Museums School Visits Programs” ($50,000) and the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, “Soul of the Movement Education Program” ($50,000).
How to apply for a 2025 grant
The 2025 Nissan Foundation grant cycle will begin in October. Nonprofit organizations working to bring diverse cultural perspectives, experiences, and voices to communities across the country may be eligible to apply for a Nissan Foundation grant. These organizations must be based in one of the areas where Nissan has a significant operational presence: Atlanta, Central Mississippi, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Middle Tennessee, New York City, North Central New Jersey, Southeast Michigan, and Southern California.
Those applicants based in a Nissan affiliate market who can demonstrate that their programming increases understanding and acceptance of society’s myriad cultural differences are invited to submit a Letter of Intent. Nissan will begin accepting those letters on October 1, 2024. All Letters of Intent must be received by 5 p.m. EST/4 p.m. CST on November 4, 2024.
The Nissan Foundation will announce 2025 grantees in July 2025. For more information about the Nissan Foundation and its application process and to view all the recipients, visit https://www.nissanusa.com/about/community.html.
