Toyota USA Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $12,293,721
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-3 months from submission
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $9,300,000 (multi-year commitments)
• Geographic Focus: National (U.S. only), with emphasis on Toyota operating communities

Contact Details

Email: Toyota.USA.Foundation@toyota.com
Alternative Contact: SDDOperations@toyota.com
Phone: 469-292-1640 (Contact: Michael Medalla)
Website: https://toyotaeffect.com/grant-seekers/
Address: 6565 Headquarters Dr # W1-3c, Plano, TX 75024-5965

Note: Phone and mail inquiries are generally not accepted for grant applications.

Overview

The Toyota USA Foundation was established in 1987 as a $100 million charitable endowment to support innovative educational programs in the United States. With current assets of approximately $150 million, the foundation focuses on STEM education and workforce readiness from preschool through post-secondary education. In 2022, Toyota launched its most ambitious initiative to date: Driving Possibilities, a $110 million commitment to prepare youth for high-demand careers while addressing real barriers to success. Led by Tellis Bethel, Chief Diversity Officer and Group Vice President of Social Innovation, the foundation prioritizes building sustainable programs in communities where Toyota team members live and work, with particular emphasis on serving under-resourced and diverse student populations. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, though it maintains active engagement with communities through strategic partnerships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Driving Possibilities Initiative (Flagship program, launched 2022)

• Multi-year grants ranging from $5.7 million to $9.3 million over 5 years
• Comprehensive STEM education programs partnering with school districts
• To date, over $78.3 million announced across 10+ locations
• Includes Project Lead The Way (PLTW) curriculum implementation
• Provides teacher professional development and on-site family support spaces

Traditional Foundation Grants

• Minimum grant amount: $50,000
• Recent grants have ranged from $100,000 to $1.5 million
• Focus on innovative STEM programming with sustainable, long-term impact
• Limited to one grant per organization within 12 months

Geographic Priority Areas

• Communities with Toyota operations: Georgetown, KY; Ann Arbor, MI; Plano, TX; San Antonio, TX
• Recent Driving Possibilities sites: Arizona (Chandler/Tempe), Georgia (Fulton County), Kentucky, Nevada (Clark County), North Carolina, and San Antonio

Priority Areas

• STEM Education: Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs from PreK-12 through post-secondary
• Workforce Readiness: Career preparation programs for high-demand fields, particularly manufacturing and automotive sectors
• Equity and Access: Programs removing barriers preventing diverse students from accessing STEM opportunities
• Teacher Development: Professional development for educators delivering STEM curriculum
• Family Support: Holistic programs addressing basic needs to enable student success
• Long-term Sustainability: Programs with sustainable impact beyond grant period

What They Don't Fund

Ineligible Organizations:

• Organizations not recognized as 501(c)(3) public charities by the IRS
• Organizations that do not comply with Toyota's Non-Discrimination Policy
• Fraternal organizations, labor organizations, or religious groups serving only their own memberships
• Athletic/sports teams
• Political parties or candidates
• Individual applicants

Ineligible Activities:

• Publications
• Lobbying activities
• Advertising
• Capital campaigns or endowments
• Individual fundraising activities (grants made only to organizations directly)
• Individual vehicle donations (reserved for corporate partners and strategic partnerships)
• Programs without national scope or located outside the United States

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

Tellis Bethel - Chief Diversity Officer and Group Vice President of Social Innovation, Toyota Motor North America

• Oversees Toyota USA Foundation and Driving Possibilities initiative
• Key quote: "Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our team members live and work."
• Additional quote: "Growing and sustaining existing and new relationships in the community is embedded into everything we do."
• Passionate about advancing equity for all and creating a culture of inclusion

Michael Medalla - Foundation contact (469-292-1640)

Organizational Structure: The foundation operates as a nonprofit private foundation under Toyota Motor North America's social innovation umbrella. Detailed governance information including board members and trustees is available through Form 990-PF filings but is not publicly promoted on foundation materials. Leadership capacity data has not been made available to third-party evaluators like Charity Navigator.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Toyota USA Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications through a public process. Grants are solicited by invitation-only and require a special invitation code that routes applications directly to the appropriate teams.

For Invited Applicants:

• Online application portal: https://toyotadonation.versaic.com/login
• Two annual deadlines: May 15 and October 1
• Applications must be submitted online; late or incomplete submissions will not be considered
• Organizations should apply at least 3 months in advance for time-sensitive proposals
• Toyota budgets funding on an annual basis ending March 31

Required Documentation (for invited applicants):

• IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
• Mission statement
• Organizational budget
• Program timeline
• Success metrics and evaluation plans

Alternative Pathway - Toyota4Good: While the Toyota USA Foundation is invitation-only, Toyota4Good (corporate giving program) remains accessible through the company's eight manufacturing facilities. Each facility has its own application process, deadlines, and geographic priorities.

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed within 2-3 months after submission deadline
• Notification provided via email
• Multi-year Driving Possibilities grants involve more extensive evaluation processes
• Toyota's fiscal year ends March 31, which influences funding cycles

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, grant activity shows:

• 2023: 16 awards made
• 2022: 2 awards made (likely reflecting shift to larger, multi-year Driving Possibilities grants)
• 2021: 49 awards made

The shift from numerous smaller grants to fewer, larger multi-year commitments reflects the foundation's strategic evolution toward the Driving Possibilities model.

Reapplication Policy

• Organizations are limited to one grant within a 12-month period
• Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented
• Given the invitation-only model, reapplication likely depends on maintaining relationships and receiving subsequent invitations

Application Success Factors

Since the Toyota USA Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, success factors focus on alignment and relationship-building rather than traditional application tips:

Strategic Alignment:

• Geographic proximity to Toyota operations: The foundation strongly prioritizes communities where Toyota team members live and work. Recent Driving Possibilities grants have all been in areas with significant Toyota presence.
• STEM focus with workforce readiness outcomes: Tellis Bethel emphasizes preparing youth "for the careers of tomorrow." Programs should connect STEM education to career pathways, particularly in manufacturing and technology sectors.
• Equity and inclusion commitment: The foundation explicitly seeks to "close the STEM gap for diverse students" and serve "under-resourced communities." Programs should demonstrate how they remove barriers for underserved populations.

Program Characteristics That Stand Out:

• Long-term, sustainable impact: The foundation's website and leadership consistently emphasize sustainability. Programs should demonstrate viability beyond the grant period.
• Comprehensive, holistic approach: Recent Driving Possibilities grants bundle STEM curriculum, teacher professional development, and family support services, reflecting the foundation's systems-thinking approach.
• Proven partnerships: Major grants often involve established partners like Project Lead The Way (PLTW). Strong partnership models enhance credibility.
• Scalability and innovation: The foundation has supported innovative STEM programming that can serve as models for replication.

Recent Grant Examples:

• Clark County School District (Nevada): $5.8 million over five years for stackable STEM curriculum (elementary through high school), Project Lead The Way partnership, and on-site family support spaces
• Fulton County Schools (Georgia): $8.6 million for comprehensive STEM education advancement
• Chandler and Tempe Schools (Arizona): $9.3 million, described as "the largest and most comprehensive in Toyota's history"
• San Antonio (East Central ISD): $6.5 million over five years for STEM and family programs

Language and Terminology to Use:

• "Long-term, sustainable impact"
• "Under-resourced communities"
• "Closing the STEM gap"
• "Career readiness" and "workforce development"
• "Removing barriers to success"
• "Stackable credentials" or "pathways"

Key Relationship-Building Insight: Tellis Bethel states, "Growing and sustaining existing and new relationships in the community is embedded into everything we do." This suggests the foundation values ongoing relationships and community presence over transactional grant requests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only model means relationship-building is paramount: You cannot submit an unsolicited application. Focus on getting on the foundation's radar through community engagement, existing funders, and Toyota connections.
• Geographic location matters significantly: Proximity to Toyota operations (Plano TX, Georgetown KY, Ann Arbor MI, manufacturing facilities) dramatically increases your chances of being invited.
• Think big and multi-year: The foundation has shifted toward larger, comprehensive grants ($5-9 million over 5 years) rather than numerous smaller awards. Scale your vision accordingly.
• Bundle services holistically: Recent successful grants combine STEM curriculum, teacher development, and family/community support rather than single-focus programs.
• Demonstrate equity impact: Explicitly articulate how your program serves diverse, under-resourced populations and removes systemic barriers to STEM access.
• Consider Toyota4Good as alternative: If you're near a Toyota manufacturing facility, the corporate giving program (Toyota4Good) offers accessible application pathways while the foundation remains invitation-only.
• Leverage Project Lead The Way (PLTW) if possible: Multiple recent grants have incorporated PLTW curriculum, suggesting foundation confidence in this partnership model.

References

• Toyota USA Foundation Grant Seekers Page: https://toyotaeffect.com/grant-seekers/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Toyota USA Foundation Profile, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN: 95-3255038): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/953255038 (Accessed January 2026)
• Toyota Commits $110 Million to Education and Career Readiness, Toyota USA Newsroom: https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-commits-110-million-to-education-and-career-readiness/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Advancing STEM Education: Toyota Provides Up To $9.3 Million In Arizona Schools, Toyota USA Newsroom: https://pressroom.toyota.com/advancing-stem-education-toyota-provides-up-to-9-3-million-in-arizona-schools/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Advancing STEM Education: Toyota Provides Up To $8.6 Million To Support Georgia Schools, Toyota USA Newsroom: https://pressroom.toyota.com/advancing-stem-education-toyota-provides-up-to-8-6-million-to-support-georgia-schools/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Toyota Drives Student Success with $5.8 Million to Support Nevada Students, Teachers, Toyota USA Newsroom: https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-drives-student-success-with-5-8-million-to-support-nevada-students-teachers/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Toyota Drives Community Impact in San Antonio with up to $6.5 Million in Grants, Toyota USA Newsroom: https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-drives-community-impact-in-san-antonio-with-up-to-6-5-million-in-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Toyota USA Foundation Community Grant Guidelines: https://www.toyota.com/usa/sustainability/community/grant-guidelines-applications/overview (Accessed January 2026)
• Toyota USA Foundation Profile, Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=TOYO002 (Accessed January 2026)
• Creating Limitless Possibilities for All (Driving Possibilities overview): https://toyotaeffect.com/key-initiatives/driving-possibilities/ (Accessed January 2026)