News Releases

Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. Awards Grants To Three Huntsville, AL, Organizations
$120,000 Awarded to Serve Children, Families, and Education

WASHINGTON, DC – November 16, 2018– The Board of Trustees of the Mazda Foundation (USA) Inc., has awarded $120,000.00 in grants to three Huntsville, AL-based organizations. The announcement was made at the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing US plant.

“It is one of our core values at Mazda to be a strong partner in the neighborhoods in which we live and work,” said Masahiro Moro, president and CEO of MNAO and chairman of the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. “We value investing in our communities and helping our neighbors and we want to ensure that our new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing family knows that we support them and believe in a bright future together.”

The Mazda Foundation awarded $50,000.00 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Alabama. The funds from the Mazda Foundation will help with the Boys and Girls Clubs Academic Success programs including the SPARK Reading Academy, the Power Hour homework and tutoring program, Urgent Intervention, STEM programs and STEM Labs.

“We are excited to partner with the Mazda Foundation to ensure that our underserved youth are equipped for Academic Success,” said Boys and Girls Clubs of North Alabama President Patrick Wynn. “In an effort to eliminate generational poverty, we believe that education is the key. Together we will prepare our at-risk youth with a plan for their future.”

The Food Bank of North Alabama was awarded $50,000.00 to help the most vulnerable, food-insecure children and senior citizens in Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties in Alabama.

“The Food Bank of North Alabama is excited to develop a partnership with Mazda that will allow us to provide more fresh, nutritious food to our most vulnerable neighbors in Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties,” said Food Bank Executive Director Shirley Schofield. “With this generous funding from the Mazda Foundation, we will be able to increase and improve several of our programs that focus on providing healthy food options to children and senior citizens. The Food Bank warmly welcomes Mazda to our community and looks forward to a long-lasting partnership.”

Finally, the Greater Huntsville Humane Society was awarded $20,000.00. This grant will help to improve the Humane Society’s puppy patio, outdoor exercise yards for the dogs, a new agility area and much needed roofing to provide shade protection while outdoors.

“Thank you to the Mazda Foundation for making a difference in the lives of homeless animals in the Huntsville community,” said Greater Huntsville Humane Society CEO Jill Gardner. ”As a small shelter, we struggle to meet the ongoing demand to house unwanted animals.  This generous grant will play a crucial role in our ability to provide enhancements for our puppy patio and our outdoor kennel spaces and exercise yards.”

About Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc.

As the corporate foundation of Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), the Mazda Foundation has donated more than $12 million to children’s organizations, educational scholarships, food banks, environmental programs and disaster relief efforts since 1992. To learn more about the Mazda Foundation, please visit www.mazdafoundation.org.

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Contact:
Tamara Mlynarczyk, Mazda Foundation, 202-467-5092