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 in response to the pandemic. The Foundation has a preference for programs that:
– Serve minority and women-owned small businesses of 20 or fewer employees.
– Support the recovery of existing small businesses and new small business starts through direct technical assistance services such as business and financial planning, technology, legal, real estate, marketing, purchasing, and other support.
– Pair technical assistance and access to capital (e.g., grants and/or financing) in providing direct services to their clients.
– Can deliver assistance in multiple languages.
– Can demonstrate outcomes in services provided, job creation and retention and other goals.
- Employment and Workforce Development, including work readiness and occupational training programs that help low- and moderate-income young adults (16-24 years) and adults develop skills essential to obtaining employment, with an emphasis on job preparedness and entry programs, employment retention, and career advancement. The Foundation has a preference for programs that:
– Serve underemployed and unemployed individuals who have lost jobs due to COVID-19.
– Serve in-school or out-of-school and out-of-work young adults (16-24) seeking internships and first time jobs.
– Support basic digital literacy, technical skills, and other IT skills training for employment.
– Are engaged with employers and offer a greater chance of placement.
– Can demonstrate outcomes in services provided, and employment obtained and retained.
See 2020 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 or religious belief.
- Comply with 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
We don’t fund:
- General operating support
- Individuals
- Religious, sectarian, fraternal, veteran, athletic or labor groups
- 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
If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please note that applications will be accepted via this website starting July 1, with a submission deadline of August 31, 2021. The application process is competitive. Grant decisions will be announced in November 2021.
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
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
Martin G. Mand
Jill M. Considine
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
Martin G. Mand, Chairman
Hiroyuki Kasama, President
Atsushi Shibukawa, Secretary
Paul Dankers, Treasurer
Lesley H. Palmer, Executive Director
Leah Markham, Program Officer
Albert Scarola, Assistant Treasurer