WASHINGTON, DC, April 20, 2020 – Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation announces $1,312,500 in grants, and disaster relief matching grants to help communities affected by COVID-19.

"While the foundation’s endowment has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic," says Keijiro "Kent" Hora, president of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, "The foundation Board of Directors believes it is important to provide funding to nonprofit organizations during this challenging time. We are proud to offer this philanthropic support and continue the foundation’s nearly 30-year mission of empowering youth with disabilities."

The $1.3M in new grants will be distributed to twelve organizations over the next three years.

Recently Approved Grants

• American Association of People with Disabilities- AAPD Alumni Network & Summer Internship Program, $200,000 over two years
• Blue Star Recyclers-e-Stewards^® ADVANCE+ Impact Initiative, $100,000
• Bridges from School to Work-NextGen Impact Study, $100,000 over two years
• Dreams for Schools-Project CODE: AppJam+, $100,000
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center-Innovations for Project SEARCH, $120,000 over two years
• Exceptional Minds-Job Readiness and Placement, $75,000 over three years
• GiGi’s Playhouse-GiGi’s Learning Management System, $120,000 over three years
• Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs-Inclusive Manufacturing Camp, $117,500 over three years
• Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI)-Career Skills on the Road, $60,000 over two years
• Uniquely Abled Project-Uniquely Abled Academy Time to Shine Project, $120,000 over two years
• University of Hawai’i Foundation-Turn the Tables, $50,000
• University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability-The Disability Roadmap Project (working title), $150,000 over three years

In addition to these new grants, continuing, multiyear projects will receive $655,000 in 2020 funds.

Continuing Projects

• Blue Star Recyclers-National Replication Program, $120,000 (second year of a $250,000/two-year grant)
• Friends of Butler Tech Foundation-Project LIFE™, $115,000 (second year of a $225,000/three-year grant)
• Gallaudet University’s Visual Language and Visual Learning Center (VL2)-Merging Deaf Talent with 21^st Century Skill Sets, $115,00) (second year of a $225/three-year grant)
• GiGi’s Playhouse-GiGi’s Professionals, $115,000 (second year of a $225/three-year grant)
• Perkins School for the Blind-Career Launch@Perkins, $115,000 (second year of a $225/three-year grant)
• Science Buddies-Enabling STEM Careers, $75,000 (second year of a $150,000/two-year grant)

"People with disabilities are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, and the accompanying economic displacement," says Kevin R. Webb, senior director of the Mitsubishi Electric Foundation. "We are working with grantees to provide flexibility with grant dollars as grantees continue to provide disability employment training and placement services, while adapting their programs to an online environment," continued Webb.

In addition, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation will match up to $100,000 in Mitsubishi Electric employee contributions to select organizations that are providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies to front-line healthcare workers, supporting the families of first responders affected by COVID-19, and offering much-needed food, particularly to the elderly and people with disabilities. Employees can also have their "virtual volunteer" hours matched with up to an additional $200,000 to support local organizations in their communities.

The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, based in the Washington, DC area, was established in 1991 by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and the Mitsubishi Electric U.S. companies, which produce, sell and distribute a wide range of consumer, industrial, commercial and professional electronics products. The Foundation has contributed more than $17 million to organizations that are empowering young people with disabilities to lead more inclusive and productive lives. To learn more, visit www.MEAF.org.

Contact:
Kevin R. Webb,
Director,
703/276-8245,
Kevin.Webb@meus.mea.com

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