Mazda established the Mazda Foundation charitable organization in 1984 to "conduct activities to promote science and technology and the sound development of youth, to share prosperity with the people of the world, and to build a society where people can lead rich and fulfilling lives." As of March 31, 2012, the Mazda Foundation has provided grants totaling ¥1,384,800,000.
To contribute to the development of culture and society by promoting well-balanced improvement in science and technology
- Support for research: Since 1985, the Mazda Foundation has awarded grants for basic and applied research projects in science and technology.
- Support for operations: Since 1985, the Mazda Foundation has awarded grants for projects related to science education, including "Scientific Experience" events that are held in Japan's Chugoku region for elementary through high school students by researchers belonging to academic societies and research organizations.
- "Science is Fun" projects: Since 2003, the Mazda Foundation has carried out the "Science is Fun" projects in cooperation with Hiroshima University, to prevent young people from turning away from the sciences, as part of community contribution activities making effective use of the university's intellectual resources.
- Support for research: A total of ¥30 million was provided for 25 excellent research projects that contribute to the development of science and technology.
- Support for operations: A total of ¥1.5 million was provided for 15 projects related to "Scientific Experience" events.
- "Science is Fun" projects: The Mazda Foundation held the Junior Science Seminar (five times a year) for junior high school students, the Science Lab Workshop comprising six courses for high school students, and the annual Science Lecture for junior high and high school students.
Grant-awarding ceremony at Hiroshima University
Students at the Junior Science Seminar held as part of the "Science is Fun" project
To help build a society where people can lead rich and fulfilling lives by providing support for the sound development of young people or assisting their self-learning
- Support for research: Since 1985, the Mazda Foundation has awarded grants for practical research projects aiming at stimulating citizen activism regarding the health and education of the youth.
- Support for citizen activism: Since 1985, the Mazda Foundation has provided support for activities aiming at fostering the sound development of youth and local community development implemented by non-profit organizations in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefectures.
Ceremony to award grants for civic activities
Event for interaction with civic activity organizations
- Inspiring School Michikusa: Since 1998, the Inspiring School Michikusa program has been held, to provide children with opportunities to work as a team and cooperate with each other to come up with original ideas using things familiar in their daily life as study subjects.
- University lectures: Since 1995, the Mazda Foundation has offered contributed lectures at universities in Hiroshima Prefecture.
- Lectures: Since 1984, the Mazda Foundation has organized lectures to provide opportunities to think together with local residents about the sound development of youth, inviting prominent figures as lecturers.
- Support for research: A total of ¥4 million was provided for five excellent research projects that contribute to the sound development of youth.
- Support for citizen activism: A total of ¥8 million was provided for 31 excellent activities that contribute to the sound development of youth.
- Inspiring School Michikusa: Educational programs designed for elementary schoolchildren were implemented, which were respectively titled "Lecture on Eco-energy," "Exciting Discovery Experience: Water and Energy" and "Why Does it Float in Water?" (attracting a total of 134 participants).
- University lectures: A two-day intensive course consisting of lectures and volunteer practice was held in Hiroshima University, under the title "Credit-transfer Volunteer Work" and 30 students earned credits.
- Lectures: At the International Conference Center Hiroshima, a lecture was held entitled "the 'Power to Ponder' and Japan in the Future," inviting as a lecturer Dr. Kang Sang-jung, Professor of the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, the University of Tokyo (with 1,350 people attending).
Scene from the Inspiring School Michikusa program held at Mitaki Shizen-no-ie (a public lodge for youth)
Volunteer lecture at the Prefectural University of Hiroshima
