Mars Wrigley Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4.7 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: United States

Contact Details

• Location: Wilmington, DE
• Website: No dedicated public website identified
• Email: Not publicly available
• Phone: Not publicly available

Overview

The Mars Wrigley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation established in 1987 and associated with Mars Wrigley, the confectionery division of Mars, Incorporated. With total assets of approximately $40.6 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes nearly $4.7 million annually in charitable disbursements. The foundation operates with remarkable efficiency, dedicating 98.1% of its total expenses to charitable activities. As a private corporate foundation, it appears to operate without a public application process, likely focusing on strategic partnerships and invited proposals aligned with Mars Wrigley's corporate social responsibility objectives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Information about specific grant programs is not publicly available. The foundation distributes approximately $4.7 million annually but does not publish detailed information about grant categories or amounts.

Priority Areas

Specific priority areas are not publicly documented. Based on Mars Wrigley's broader corporate initiatives, the foundation likely supports:

• Community development in areas where Mars Wrigley operates
• Education and youth development
• Sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Health and wellness programs

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership and board information is not publicly available through standard foundation directories or the organization's public filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Mars Wrigley Foundation appears to operate as a private corporate foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion and strategic partnerships rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Success Rates

Not available due to the private nature of the foundation's grant-making process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Application Success Factors

As this is a private foundation without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations seeking support would need to establish relationships through Mars Wrigley's corporate channels or be identified through the company's strategic community engagement initiatives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Mars Wrigley Foundation is a legitimate grant-making organization distributing approximately $4.7 million annually
• There is no public application process - grants appear to be made by invitation only or through corporate partnerships
• The foundation operates with high efficiency, dedicating 98% of expenses to charitable activities
• Total assets of $40.6 million suggest stable, ongoing grant-making capacity
• Organizations interested in support would need to explore relationship-building through Mars Wrigley corporate channels
• Limited public information suggests a preference for privacy in grant-making operations

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Mars Wrigley Foundation (EIN: 363486958), accessed January 2026
• Mars, Incorporated Sustainability Plan webpage, accessed January 2026
• IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Database records for EIN 363486958