Nissan Foundation Gives Grants Totaling $689,000

NASHVILLE, TN--July 30, 2013: The Nissan Foundation is awarding $689,000 in grants to support educational programs that foster a greater appreciation and understanding of America's diverse cultural heritage.

Located in California, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee and Texas, the 29 nonprofit organizations selected as 2013 Nissan Foundation grantees offer programs such as anti-prejudice training courses, cultural heritage museum programming and initiatives that engage students with world cultures through arts, sports or performance.

"Our grantees are looking for solutions to important societal issues or offering opportunities to learn from the experiences of people whose lives may be different from our own," said Scott Becker, president of the Nissan Foundation. "By encouraging us to respect the differences that exist among various peoples, our grantees are demonstrating the value of diversity with courage, creativity and commitment."

The 2013 grantees were chosen from nearly 150 applicants who submitted letters of intent through the Nissan Foundation online application system. Full proposals were invited from organizations whose proposals best aligned with the mission of the Foundation.

Since 1992, the Nissan Foundation has distributed more than $7 million to hundreds of nonprofit organizations offering educational programs that foster a greater appreciation and understanding of America's diverse cultural heritage.

Originally founded following a period of civic unrest in Los Angeles, the Foundation was created as a means to offer resources and support in the Los Angeles community. Since then, the Foundation has expanded its geographic reach over the years as Nissan's business operations have grown to include communities in various regions of the United States.

Many of the nonprofits receiving grants in 2013 are repeat awardees, demonstrating Nissan's dedication to long-lasting and consistent community support.

"Diversity is a strength that helps to create an environment where we can generate alternative ways of thinking, improve self-awareness and enrich community life," said Becker. "We are proud to partner with this year's grant recipients, who are working to help people grow, share their voice and contribute their abilities."

Nissan Foundation grants ranging from $10,000 to $65,000 were awarded to the following organizations:

California Autry National Center*, Los Angeles Green Dot Public Schools, Los Angeles Japanese American National Museum*, Los Angeles Los Angeles Opera Company*, Los Angeles San Diego Children's Discovery Museum, San Diego San Diego Museum of Man*, San Diego

Georgia Anti-Prejudice Consortium Inc., Atlanta Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Atlanta Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation*, Atlanta Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation*, Stone Mountain

Michigan Charles H. Museum of African American History, Detroit The Community House*, Birmingham U.S. Committees for Refugees and Immigrants, Inc., Detroit

Mississippi International Museum of Muslim Cultures*, Jackson Jackson 2000 Inc., Jackson Jobs for Mississippi Graduates*, Jackson

New York Japan Society Inc., New York Jewish Children's Museum*, Brooklyn Learning Through an Expanded Arts Program (LeAP)*, New York Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, New York

Tennessee Children's Museum Corporation of Rutherford County*, Murfreesboro Frist Center for the Visual Arts*, Nashville Global Education Center*, Nashville Nashville Public Television*, Nashville Oasis Center*, Nashville Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition*, Nashville Tennessee Women's Theater Project*, Nashville

Texas International Museum of Cultures*, Duncanville National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum*, Fort Worth

*Prior Nissan Foundation grant recipient

For more information about the Nissan Foundation and its grant application process, visit Nissan Corporate.