Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2+ million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 4.5 months
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000
• Geographic Focus: National (US)

Contact Details

Website: www.meaf.org
Phone: (703) 276-8240
Address: 1300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 825, Arlington, VA 22209
Application Portal: Online through us.mitsubishielectric.com

Overview

Established in 1991 with a $15 million endowment from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and US group companies, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) has invested over $27.5 million to empower youth with disabilities. With approximately $29 million in assets and annual giving of around $2 million, MEAF focuses exclusively on helping young people with disabilities develop employment skills and leadership abilities. The foundation's mission centers on maximizing the potential and societal participation of youth with disabilities, operating through national grant programs that support innovative approaches to employment and independence.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• National Grants: $10,000 - $100,000 per year (1-2 year commitments)
• Application Period: July 15 - November 1 annually
• Awards: 6-12 grants awarded each year
• Focus: Access to Careers in Technology and the Trades Inclusion Initiative

Priority Areas

• Youth leadership and employment skills development for those with disabilities
• Tools and resources for employers to remove barriers to hiring youth with disabilities
• Career pathways in technology and skilled trades
• Support for young veterans with disabilities transitioning to civilian employment
• Inclusive education and training programs
• National scope projects or models with replication plans

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations engaged exclusively in political activities or lobbying
• Individual schools or school districts
• Intermediary funding organizations
• Organizations with discriminatory hiring practices
• Product donation requests (refers to good360.org instead)

Governance and Leadership

Sr. Director: Kevin R. Webb (Senior Director, Sustainability & Social Impact)

Board of Directors includes:

• Kei Uruma (President & CEO, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Scott Summerville (President & CEO, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc.)
• Mike Corbo (President)
• Maria O'Leary (Sr. Vice President & General Counsel, Mitsubishi Electric US)

Advisory Board: Features disability advocates, policy experts, and professionals including Ari Ne'eman (Harvard PhD candidate), Dr. Katherine Seelman (University of Pittsburgh), and various Microsoft and Department of State specialists.

Kevin Webb emphasizes that the foundation's most gratifying outcomes involve "attitudinal change" when "an employer hires someone with a disability, and they realize the contributions and talents that individual brings to the workforce."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Take the online eligibility quiz to confirm project alignment
2. Submit online proposal between July 15 - November 1
3. Applications reviewed for following year's funding
4. Must demonstrate national scope or clear replication plan

Decision Timeline

• Application Window: July 15 - November 1
• Decision Date: By March 15 of following year
• Funding Begins: April 1
• Total Timeline: Approximately 4.5 months from deadline to decision

Success Rates

Specific acceptance rates not publicly available. Foundation awards 6-12 grants annually from national pool of applicants.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information available about reapplication restrictions or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements:

• Projects must demonstrate innovative approaches leading to measurable employment outcomes
• Youth with disabilities (birth through age 26) must be primary beneficiaries
• National scope or definite plan for national dissemination and replication required
• Focus on careers in technology and skilled trades particularly favored

Measurement Criteria MEAF Uses:

• Number of young people served
• Number of jobs secured
• Parent, educator, and employer exposure to programs
• Publications produced and disseminated
• Media coverage generated

Recent Successful Projects Include:

• SME Education Foundation scholarships for neurodiverse students
• FIRST® Access for inclusive STEM programming
• Exceptional Minds training for autism spectrum artists in digital arts/animation
• Aspiritech Academy for tech career pathways

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• MEAF has a narrow but deep focus - only funds projects benefiting youth with disabilities (ages 0-26) for employment/leadership
• Requires national impact or clear replication strategy - local-only projects won't qualify
• Technology and skilled trades career pathways are current strategic priorities
• Partnership approach valued - recent grants show collaborations with other major organizations
• Measurable employment outcomes essential - track job placements, not just training
• Annual application window is fixed (July 15 - November 1) with no rolling applications
• Multi-year funding available but limited to 2 years maximum

References

• Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation official website (us.mitsubishielectric.com/en/sustainability/greater-community/)
• MEAF Grant Guidelines and Priorities page (accessed February 2025)
• Business Wire press release on Kevin Webb appointment to CTA Foundation Board (January 10, 2024)
• MEAF Announces $2 Million in New and Continuing Grants (April 30, 2025)
• SME Education Foundation press release on neurodiverse student scholarships (2025)
• Foundation Directory by Candid - MEAF Profile
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 data
• Authority Magazine interview with Kevin Webb on Neurodiversity in the Workforce