Grant Guidelines

Welcome. Thank you for your interest in the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. Grant applications are by invitation only; there is no open application period.

Grant Guidelines - Qualifications / Restrictions

The Mazda Foundation primarily awards grants to organizations located in markets where Mazda has offices (Irvine, CA; Bridgewater, N.J.; Oakbrook Terrace, IL; Houston, TX; and Huntsville, AL).

The Mazda Foundation awards grants to programs promoting:

  • Education and literacy
  • Environmental conservation
  • Cross-cultural understanding
  • Social welfare
  • Scientific research

The Foundation does not support:

  • Individuals
  • Political organizations
  • Religious organizations
  • Fundraising dinners or events
  • Capital building, endowment, or debt reduction drives
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) designations
  • Requests in foreign countries

Grant Application Process

Grant applications are by invitation only; there is no open application period.

Notification

Organizations that have been invited to submit a grant application and have not recently received funding from the Mazda Foundation may also be asked to submit a formal proposal. Additionally, a meeting between Mazda Foundation officers and the organization may be scheduled.

The formal proposal should include:

  • Verification of Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Mission statement of the organization
  • Purpose and objectives of the proposed program
  • Detailed outline of the project accompanied by an implementation schedule
  • Proposed budget for the project
  • Plans for evaluating program accomplishments
  • Most recent financial statements
  • Names and affiliations of Trustees of Board of Directors
  • List of major contributors

Final Decision

The Foundation Board of Trustees make their final decisions on grant proposals in December at their annual meeting. Organizations are notified of their status in December/January.

Please understand that we are unable to fund every program or organization that requests our aid. This is in no way a reflection on the worthiness of your organization or cause.

We sincerely appreciate all the good work you’re doing.