Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation Grant Program to help Youth

The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) is a philanthropic arm of Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., committed to promoting inclusion and empowering youth with disabilities throughout the United States. As part of the company's broader sustainability and social responsibility efforts, MEAF funds innovative projects that equip young people with disabilities, including veterans transitioning to civilian life, with leadership and employment skills. These initiatives are intended to help break down barriers to employment and ensure equal access to job opportunities in inclusive environments. MEAF prioritizes programs that demonstrate innovative strategies with measurable employment outcomes. Eligible projects must aim for national reach or have a model that can be replicated and disseminated nationally. The Foundation particularly seeks initiatives that promote full inclusion, integrating youth with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers in inclusive and competitive employment settings. Proposals should include a clear evaluation strategy and a dissemination plan to extend the impact of the project. The Foundation supports applications exclusively from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. MEAF does not fund individuals, intermediary organizations, capital campaigns, political activities, endowments, or projects that are local in scope without plans for national impact. Schools, religious groups with sectarian purposes, and organizations with discriminatory hiring practices are also excluded from eligibility. The grant cycle opens for proposals on July 15 and closes on November 1. Proposals submitted during this window are considered for funding starting April 1 of the following year. Applicants are notified of funding decisions by March 15. Grants range from $10,000 to $100,000 annually and may span one to two years. Typically, MEAF awards between six and twelve grants each year. Interested applicants must complete an eligibility quiz before accessing the online application form. The Foundation encourages applicants to craft proposals that not only support youth with disabilities but also foster environments of true inclusion. Projects that emphasize employment accommodations as part of a broader initiative are favored, while those focused solely on equipment for individual use are not supported. For more information or to begin the application process, prospective applicants are directed to visit the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation’s website. There, they can find the eligibility quiz and additional guidance on applying for funding.