Nissan Foundation Leads the Way: Connecting Communities

We want to take a moment to highlight a key partner in the Journeys: World Religions in Metropolitan Detroit program: the Nissan Foundation. We are deeply appreciative for their generous and consistent support through their annual grant program, which plays an essential role in making our work possible.

The Nissan Foundation is not only a supporter of Journeys, but also a sustaining force for many nonprofit organizations doing similar bridge-building and cultural understanding work across the country. Their longstanding commitment reflects a deep belief in the importance of helping communities move beyond division toward greater understanding, respect, and connection. Through its annual grant program, the Foundation invests in organizations that create opportunities for people to learn from one another, strengthen relationships, and build more inclusive communities.

The Nissan Foundation was formed in 1992 in response to the civil unrest that occurred near Nissan’s U.S. sales operations following the Rodney King trial verdict. From that moment of challenge, the Foundation emerged with a clear and lasting mission: to promote respect, understanding, and appreciation among diverse cultural and ethnic communities. Over the past 33 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $17.7 million in grants to more than 150 nonprofit organizations across eight communities, supporting educational and community-based efforts that foster belonging and understanding.

The Nissan Foundation’s support directly strengthens every part of our work. Their investment helps sustain immersive site visits, educational resources, and the relationship-building experiences that make Journeys transformative for students and educators alike.

We are profoundly grateful for the Nissan Foundation’s partnership and for their broader commitment to supporting organizations dedicated to cultural understanding and community connection. Quite simply, we would not be able to do this work at the depth and scale we do without their support. Their commitment continues to create opportunities for students to learn, listen, and grow into bridge-builders who contribute to stronger, more connected communities.