Nissan Foundation Promotes Cultural Diversity Through Awards to 29 U.S. Nonprofits

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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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 http://www.nissanusa.com/about/corporate-info.html.

About the Nissan Foundation
Established in 1992, the mission of the Nissan Foundation is to build community through valuing cultural diversity.  The Nissan Foundation is part of Nissan North America's commitment to "enrich people's lives" by helping to meet the needs of communities throughout the United States through philanthropic investments, corporate outreach sponsorships, in-kind donations and other charitable contributions.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

Blue Citizenship is the commitment of Nissan Motor Company to realize our vision of Enriching People's Lives. We commit to our customers, employees, shareholders and the communities where we do business to deliver engaging, valuable and sustainable mobility for all. Through our business activities, we aim to create economic value and to actively contribute toward the development of a sustainable society.

SOURCE Nissan North America