Bayer Fund Awards $3.5 Million in Grants throughout the United States
Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of life sciences company Bayer, awarded $3.5 million in grants to 175 charities and non-profit organizations throughout the United States. As part of Bayer's broader vision, Health for All, Hunger for None, each grant provided by Bayer Fund will go toward a program that will help tackle some of the biggest challenges faced in the country ? combatting malnutrition and food insecurity, support services for patients and families managing cardiovascular disease and cancer and enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in school systems.
"Throughout the years, grants provided by Bayer Fund have provided the tools and resources to help build stronger communities across the United States," said Al Mitchell, President of Bayer Fund. "As needs continue to evolve and grow, we're proud to support these organizations that are making a positive impact at the local level."
Food insecurity and access to nutritious food continues to be an area of need. Organizations awarded a grant in the food and nutrition category develop high-impact programs that use comprehensive, sustainable approaches to increase access to food for children and families living in under-served and rural communities.
The Community Foodbank of N.J. and St. Louis Area Foodbank both received grants to expand their nutrition programs for children. Community Foodbank of N.J. received a grant for $200,000 for their Kids Café, which provides emergency food services year-round and their Family Pack Program that makes grab and go summer meals. Both programs will serve 4,800 children who live in high need communities. The St. Louis Area Foodbank was awarded a grant for $100,000 for their School Food Markets program that helps combat food insecurity in local school districts. Their grant will extend the program to seven additional schools and serve more than 4,000 students.
"We are grateful for our partnership with Bayer Fund, along with our school district partners across eastern Missouri and southern Illinois," said Meredith Knopp, St. Louis Area Foodbank President and CEO. "By giving students access to nutritious foods at these School Markets, we remove a barrier to learning. It will improve class attendance and allow students to focus on learning instead of the implications of hunger that can land them in the school nurse's office. This generous gift will help ensure that children in our community have healthier futures."
Bayer Fund's second focus area is STEM education. Science, technology, and innovation continue to drive the economy and it's critical for students to have access to a quality education in these fields. Grants awarded provide in-school, technical and academic programs to underserved students grades K-12.
National PTA, the nation's oldest and largest child advocacy association devoted to making every child's potential a reality, received a grant for $150,000. This grant will provide 40 high need, under-resourced PTA-affiliated schools in the greater St. Louis, New Jersey, Pittsburgh and Berkeley, Calif. regions with the resources to host a Bayer Fund Science Festival. These festivals will impact more than 5,000 students and families in the local areas.
"National PTA and Bayer Fund share a commitment to making science more accessible and less intimidating to students and their families, which is essential to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals and help close the STEM gap," said Anna King, President of National PTA. "We are grateful to Bayer Fund for their long-standing support of our association's efforts to provide hands-on STEM experiences for families, particularly in communities where such opportunities might not otherwise be readily available."
Bayer Fund's third area of focus is health and wellness. Grants awarded are dedicated to educating and providing support services to patients, caregivers, and at-risk populations. American Cancer Society received a grant for $175,000 that will go towards their Hope Lodge program. Each Hope Lodge offers patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when their treatment may be in another city. These lodges provide a home-like environment where guests can retreat, connect with others, and learn more about their treatment. The grant provided by Bayer Fund will be used for cleaning supplies, furniture, and staff for each lodge.
"The American Cancer Society is grateful for Bayer's Fund generous support of the Hope Lodge network. The funds will help remove barriers for cancer patients across the country to receive treatment far from home, without the worry of additional financial burden," said Howard Heino, the Vice President, Hope Lodge Operations & Facilities Management at the American Cancer Society.
In addition to grant donations, Bayer Fund offers a matching gifts program to all Bayer employees in the United States. This program allows employees to donate up to $2,500 a year to a qualified local charity or multiple charities of their choice, and Bayer Fund will match 100% of the employee's donation.
In 2020, the Fund awarded $17 million to over 3,400 charitable and nonprofit organizations to help address essential needs in food and nutrition, STEM education and community development. Over the last five years, nonprofit organizations across the United States have received more than $80 million from Bayer Fund.
About Bayer Fund
Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education and community development projects. For more information, visit www.fund.bayer.us.
News published on and distributed by:
