Strengthening Communities

Strengthening communities takes many forms. Click through the following examples to see some of the many ways in which Japanese-brand automakers look to give back to the people and communities that make what they do possible.

In June 2023, the Nissan Foundation awarded more than $1 million in grants to 39 nonprofits promoting the value of cultural diversity. The grant recipients are based in communities surrounding Nissan facilities in Southern California, Middle Tennessee, Central Mississippi, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Southeast Michigan, New York City and Atlanta. Among 2023 grantees is the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee, a nonprofit agency established to help improve the quality of life for Native American people in the state.

Subaru believes all pets deserve a loving home and that’s why they are the largest corporate donor to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Through the Subaru Loves Pets® initiative, Subaru and their retailers have been committed to improving the lives of as many shelter animals as possible. Subaru is proud to help make the world a better place for them with over $52 million donated to national and local organizations, which has supported the adoption, rescue, transport, and health of over 480,000 animals.

In January 2024, Toyota Motor North America announced the awardees of grants through its Way Forward Fund, a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening access to care and injury recovery support for individuals and their families, with an initial focus on children with traumatic brain injuries. This is the second round of grants awarded through the Way Forward Fund. More than $8 million in grants was made available to the selected institutions, with an emphasis on raising the quality of healthcare in communities with the greatest need.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) celebrates dealer partners who go above and beyond for their communities. They provide more than just a great place to buy a car – they help their hometowns thrive in the good times and heal in the challenging times.

In February 2024, the Mazda Foundation (USA) Inc., awarded funding for seven programs this year, renewing the organization's commitment to addressing food insecurity and some of its many root causes, particularly equitable access to education and job opportunities. In total, the Mazda Foundation awarded over $500,000 to organizations across the United States. This year’s awards again includes the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County in California collects food and distributes it to more than 400 local member charities.This marks the 18th year the Mazda Foundation has supported this organization.

In October 2023, Honda and Discovery Education launched a new multi-year safety initiative to help address the nearly one-third of annual traffic fatalities in the U.S. involving drivers under the age of 25. Honda Safety Driven is a new national safety program and education initiative that empowers students nationwide to use safe driving skills as a roadmap to become responsible decision-makers.

Hover over the images below to see previous examples of how Japanese-brand automakers continue to support their communities

Toyota Indiana celebrates its 25th anniversary with a renewed commitment to the Princeton community including a donation to the YMCA of southwestern Indiana to open a new facility in Gibson County.

Mitsubishi Motors has continued to give back through its “Small Batch – Big Impact” program. This includes beneficiaries like the Nashville Rescue Mission, a community organization committed to helping the hungry, homeless, and hurting.

Subaru of Indiana’s annual Color 5K raised $50,000 for Multiplying Good, Students in Action, a local youth program aimed at teaching students in grades 6 through 12 about leadership skills through serving others.

Over the past 30 years, the Nissan Foundation has awarded $13 million to more than 150 nonprofit organizations around the country that work to promote a greater appreciation and understanding of America’s diverse cultural heritage.

In 2021, Mazda started a new program that provided educators with free oil changes at dealers nationwide. This was an extension of the Essential Car Care (ECC) Program that started in 2020 providing the same services to healthcare workers. The ECC program for teachers ran from July – September 2021.

More than 7,000 volunteers participated in the 5th annual Team Honda Week(s) of Service event. Honda associates, dealers and suppliers conducted nearly 400 in-person and virtual service activities throughout North America, including beach/park clean-ups, blood drives, canned food drives, school supply collections, and meals/care package delivery.