Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) executes various social contribution activities in the United States. MNAO is supporting various activities that meet the needs of the local communities. This approach infused with the spirit of "Zoom-Zoom" not only fuels its investment in the environmental, educational and cultural well-being of the society, but also actively supports its customers, employees and dealers in its efforts to make a difference. Also, to build a better future, MNAO is supporting activities of imaginative programs that make a difference in communities across the U.S., through the Mazda Foundation USA.
To support charitable organizations and activities for local communities in Orange County, California
MNAO is engaged in charitable activities for a wide variety of causes.
- MNAO sponsored University of California, Irvine Foundation's corporate partners program, which aims to build mutually beneficial partnerships with the corporate community. MNAO supported the University's Paul Merage School of Business.
- MNAO sponsored two events organized by the Irvine Police Association (the Spring Festival and the 4th of July Concert on the Green) to support the organization working to protect and preserve peace.
- MNAO made a donation to the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association in support of their annual fundraising event.
- MNAO made a donation to the ALS*1 Association to support its providing compassionate care and assistance for families and patients.
- MNAO sponsored the Urban Wheel Awards to support multicultural consumer and diversity inclusion in the automotive industry.
- MNAO participated in Adopting-A-Highway Program of California's State Highway System to support regional highway environmental systems.
- Moreover, MNAO provided active support for employee's volunteer activities, for United Way, etc.
- *1Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Mazda Foundation USA (MFUS), established in September 1990, provides funds to various initiatives for education, environmental conservation, social welfare, cross-cultural understanding, etc. MFUS has contributed $7.62 million since its establishment.
To support environmental conservation and youth education
MFUS, in partnership with SCA, a US student environmental conservation organization, has operated the Save Our American Resources (SOAR) program aiming at advancing environmental conservation and youth education since 1998.
College-aged interns supported by MFUS worked on a variety of environmental conservation projects in the summer at national and state parks across the U.S.
To promote cross-cultural relationships between the USA and Japan
The Mazda / YFU Scholarship Program is a joint program launched in 1984 by MFUS and Youth For Understanding (YFU), a US-based international exchange organization.
This scholarship funding provides an opportunity for ten high-school-aged students to spend six weeks in Japan each summer. Students live with a Japanese host family, learn to speak and write Japanese and immerse themselves in Japanese daily life. Over the past 27 years, a total of 265 students have participated in this cultural exchange program.
MFUS sent ten American high school students to stay for six weeks of summer in Germany. They visited Mazda's European R&D centre (Oberursel, State of Hessen, Germany) instead of Japan, avoiding the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The scholarship students sent origami cranes to Japan with a heartfelt message of peace and friendship. The message also meant to pay tribute to the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
To provide students with educational opportunities
The MFUS keeps partnerships with various organizations working for disadvantaged students, ethnic minority groups, and students interested in automotive engineering.
- The scholarship for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) was awarded to 12 Hispanic-American students at two Southern California universities. Since 1990, the MFUS has partnered with HSF, supporting college scholarships for Hispanic-American students.
- The scholarship for Dillard University was awarded to 20 students studying business administration at the university. Since 1998 MFUS has partnered with Dillard University, a private, liberal arts university and one of the HBCUs*2, located in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana.
- The scholarship for the University of North Carolina Pembroke (UNCP) was awarded to two native-American students in UNCP. Since 2000 MFUS has partnered with UNCP, an institution with a long and rich history of providing excellent education for minority groups and other disadvantaged students.
- The scholarship for the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) was awarded to three graduate students majoring in automotive engineering at CU-ICAR. Since 2008 MFUS has partnered with Clemson University, the center of the southeastern United States' top-level automotive research.
- *2Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
To help children from economically disadvantaged households develop self-esteem
By providing funding for a Californian non-profit organization, Shoes That Fit, MFUS has supplied new shoes and clothes to children from economically disadvantaged households, and helped them nurture self-esteem since 2005.
MFUS provided 80,000 pairs of new shoes to children as part of its commitment to 2011 Back-to-School Shoes Project.
To support and protect children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected
MFUS has supported Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), a Southern California organization that trains and dispatches volunteers to advocate children who have been abused or abandoned, since 2006.
MFUS provided support for the training of hundreds of volunteers to assist children.
To improve the learning environment for children from low-income communities in Orange County, California
MFUS has supported "Project Access" since 2007. Project Access is an after-school activities program aiming at helping students from low-income families with their studies and providing them with a wide variety of educational opportunities.
MFUS offered opportunities to take part in the program for approximately 1,200 students. Students who attended an average of three times per week showed signs of improved study habits, communication skills, problem solving, academic self-esteem and self-confidence.
To provide aid to second-graders at New Orleans public elementary schools who require improved literacy
MFUS supports Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR). STAIR, based in New Orleans, LA, has offered for 24 years one-on-one instruction at no charge for second-graders at New Orleans public elementary schools who are in need of literacy skills.
MFUS assisted 234 students in improving their literacy skills.
To help alleviate hunger for people in need
MFUS has supported the activities of a Californian non-profit organization Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County since 2000. This charity works with partner agencies to distribute food throughout Orange County.
MFUS supported the activities of several food banks and homeless shelters across the U.S. MFUS supported provision of food to thousands of people in need in Southern California, Chicago, IL, Detroit, MI and Jacksonville, FL.
To provide funds to pay adaptive equipment, coaching, training and competition expenses for injured veterans
The MFUS supports the Challenged Athletes Foundation's program. This program provides sports opportunities and assistance for active veterans and others suffering permanent physical injuries.
MFUS provided funds for sports equipment, competition and training under this program. Eight injured veterans and others were supported.
Overseas activities primarily covers the period from January 2011 through December 2011, although some activities after January 2012 are included.