Apply for a MEAF Grant

Priorities and Guidelines

MEAF National Grant Priorities and Guidelines

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation supports innovative projects that help youth with disabilities develop the leadership and employment skills they need to succeed. MEAF will also consider projects to create tools that help break down barriers to employment and increase job opportunities for young people with disabilities entering the workforce, including returning veterans with disabilities.

What does MEAF fund?

What type of organizations does MEAF support?
What type of organizations are excluded?
Funding Cycle
Frequently Asked Questions

MEAF supports projects from 501(c)(3) organizations that:

Develop youth leadership & employment skills, and/or create tools for employers that help break down barriers and increase employment opportunities for youth and veterans with disabilities
Present an innovative approach that leads to measurable employment outcomes for youth with disabilities
Are national in scope, or model projects that have a definite plan for national dissemination and replication
Support U.S. youth with disabilities as the main beneficiary, or young veterans with disabilities transitioning to civilian life
Promote the full-inclusion of youth with disabilities alongside their peers without disabilities, and promote inclusive, competitive employment practices
Have a well-defined evaluation, dissemination and replication plan

Exclusions

MEAF does NOT fund:

Individuals (scholarships, stipends, fellowships, personal assistance)
Intermediary organizations such as the United Way
Organizations whose services are limited to a particular ethnic, fraternal, labor or political constituency
Loans of money for any purpose
Capital campaigns/building funds
Projects focused exclusively on research
Organizations with discriminatory hiring practices based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other legally protected category
Equipment or devices for individual users, except for employment accommodations as part of a larger project
Organizations engaged exclusively in political activities or lobbying
Locally based activities without national impact
Individual schools or school districts
Sectarian or religious activities for religious purposes
Projects or events that are already completed
Endowment campaigns
Political campaigns or causes
Fund-raising events
Projects exclusively benefiting individuals or groups outside of the United States

The Foundation does not broker requests for product donations from Mitsubishi Electric companies. We suggest visiting www.good360.org, a resource for product donations.

Funding Cycle

MEAF accepts online proposals from July 15 to November 1 to be considered for the following year’s funding.

Jul. 15 Online proposals accepted
Nov. 1 Proposals due
Mar. 15 Funding decision made
Apr. 1 New project funding begins

Frequently Asked Questions

What is inclusion?

Inclusion is an attitude and approach that ensures all people, regardless of ability or background, can meaningfully participate in all aspects of life. Inclusion is an approach, not a program. An attitude, not an activity. Inclusion is belonging!

How does MEAF define youth?
MEAF defines youth from birth through college-aged (about 26)

What is the average grant size?
Grants typically range from $10K to $100K/year, for one to two years

How many grants does MEAF award each year?
Six to 12 grants each year.

What are examples of what MEAF has funded?