Program Grants and Guidelines
We support programs in New York City focused on:
- Small Business Creation and Recovery, including programs that provide technical and financial assistance to diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses in New York City, supporting their recovery, stability, and growth. The Foundation has a preference for programs that:
– Assist minority and women-owned small businesses of 20 or fewer employees.
– Support the stability and growth of existing small businesses and new small business start-ups through direct technical assistance services such as business and financial planning, technology, legal, real estate, marketing, purchasing, and other support.
– Provide both technical assistance and access to capital (e.g., grants and/or financing).
– Demonstrate outcomes in services provided, job creation and retention.
- Employment and Workforce Development, including workforce training and placement programs that help unemployed and underemployed low- and moderate-income young adults (16-24 years) and adults develop skills essential to economic mobility. The Foundation has a preference for programs that:
– Offer job entry and preparedness training targeting high-growth, competitive wage occupations.
– Serve in-school or out-of-school and out-of-work young adults (16-24) seeking internships and jobs.
– Support basic digital literacy, technical skills, IT and other skills training for industries where the need for new employees is substantial.
– Engage with employers and offer a greater chance of placement.
– Demonstrate outcomes in services provided, and employment obtained and retained.
See the 2021 Program Grant List.
How to apply
To apply for a grant, your organization must:
- Be recognized as tax-exempt under IRC Section 501 (c)(3) and classified as a public charity under Section 509(a)(1) or Section 509(a)(2) and NOT a supporting organization under Section 509(a)(3).
- Present a proposal that satisfies the Mizuho USA Foundation guidelines.
- Not discriminate based on age, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religious belief, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations including US anti-terrorism laws and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act and Executive Order 13224, pertaining to US-based nonprofits acting outside the US.
We look for:
- New, innovative program initiatives with broad impact
- Efficacy, distinctiveness, and the potential to be replicated
- Potential for self-sufficiency or support from other sources in the future
- Efficient and effective use of funds and resources
- Opportunities for Mizuho Americas employees to get involved as volunteers
We don’t fund:
- General operating support
- Individuals
- Religious, sectarian, fraternal, veteran, athletic or labor groups or any other program deemed inconsistent with Mizuho USA Foundation guidelines
- Organizations or programs outside the US
- Political causes, candidates, campaigns or lobbying programs
- Fundraising events (e.g., charitable dinners, sporting events)
- Advertising
- Endowment or capital campaigns
The 2022 Mizuho USA Foundation application is now closed. Grant decisions will be announced in January 2023.
Employee-Engagement Grants
Our employees in the US can decide where they want to make an impact and request grants for nonprofits in education, arts and culture, health, environment and community development through our:
- Community Involvement Grants Program: small grants to nonprofits with which Mizuho offices volunteer
- Matching Gifts Program: a 1-to-1 match for qualifying contributions made by eligible employees to qualifying nonprofits
Foundation Leadership
Mizuho USA Foundation Board of Directors
Jill M. Considine
Erin Callan Montella
Shuji Matsuura, Chairman and CEO, Mizuho Americas; Chairman, Mizuho Bank (USA)
Hiroyuki Kasama, President and CEO, Mizuho Bank (USA)
Atsushi Shibukawa, Managing Director, Americas Department, Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
Mizuho USA Foundation Officers
Jill M. Considine, Chairman
Hiroyuki Kasama, President
Atsushi Shibukawa, Secretary
Paul Dankers, Treasurer
Lesley H. Palmer, Executive Director
Leah Markham, Program Officer
Albert Scarola, Assistant Treasurer
Contact information:
Mizuho USA Foundation, Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020-1104
+1 212 282 4192
mizuho.usa.foundation@mizuhogroup.com