Through the Mazda Foundation, Japanese automaker Mazda and its employees work to proactively help their neighbors — and the communities where they live and work — to build a better, brighter future.

To that end, the foundation invites applications for its grants program. Through the program, grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations in the areas of education, literacy, social welfare, scientific research, cross-cultural understanding, and environmental conservation. The foundation mostly considers grant applications from organizations located in markets where Mazda has offices, including Irvine, California; Bridgewater, New Jersey; Chicago, Illinois; Sugarland, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; and Huntsville, Alabama.

To be eligible, organizations must be tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.