Nissan Foundation Celebrates 20 Years Of Giving

FRANKLIN, Tenn., July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nissan Foundation awarded $655,000 in grants today to 26 nonprofit organizations from across the country during a special luncheon commemorating the institution's 20^th anniversary. Located in California, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee and Texas, all of the organizations receiving grants in 2012 demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering cultural diversity in their local communities.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080506/NISSANWORDMARKLOGO )

"For 20 years Nissan has been nurturing respect for diversity through the Foundation's sponsorship of educational programs in communities where our employees live and work," said Scott Becker, president of the Nissan Foundation. "Today we are celebrating the value of all those efforts and the positive outcomes made possible by all of our Foundation partners."

Since 1992, the Nissan Foundation has distributed $6.4 million to more than 100 nonprofit organizations that offer 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 as a means to offer resources and support in the Los Angeles community, the Foundation has expanded its geographic reach over the years as Nissan's business operations have grown, including additional communities where the company operates in various regions of the United States.

Many of the nonprofits receiving grants in 2012 are repeat awardees, demonstrating Nissan's dedication to long-lasting and consistent community support.

"Diversity is strength, whether in a company or a community. We see the Foundation as a means to promote respect for others, generate alternative ways of thinking, strengthen self-awareness and enrich community life," said Becker. "We are proud to partner with this year's grant recipients, and we know they will bring tremendous value to people's lives as they turn their proposals into actions."

The 2012 Nissan Foundation grantees include:
*Previous grant recipient

California
Autry National Center*
Chinese American Museum*
Japanese American Museum*
Los Angeles Opera*
San Diego Museum of Man*

Georgia
Cobb Energy Performing Arts*
National Black Arts Festival*
Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation*

Michigan
Community House Association*

Mississippi
International Museum of Muslim Cultures*
Jobs for Mississippi Graduates*

New York
Brooklyn Children's Museum*
Brooklyn Historical Society
Glucksman Ireland House at New York University*
Jewish Children's Museum*
Learning Through Expanded Arts
WNET New York Public Media

Tennessee
Children's Museum Corporation of Rutherford County*
Frist Center for the Visual Arts*
Global Education Center*
Nashville Public Television*
Oasis Center*
Tennessee Foreign Language Institute*
Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition*

Texas
International Museum of Cultures*
National Cowboys of Color Museum*

For more information about the Nissan Foundation and its grant application process, visit http://www.nissanusa.com/about/corporate-info/community-relations.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, and 2012 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.

SOURCE Nissan North America, Inc.