FAQs

Do you provide more than one grant to an organization within a calendar year?

No. Applicants may only apply for a grant once per calendar year.

Do I need to include a contact person at Bridgestone to apply?

Yes. This is a required part of the application. In addition, you must be able to demonstrate that you have engaged our teammates in a volunteer activity in the last 12 months.

Can I request a meeting to discuss my application?

Due to the high volume of applications and limited staff resources, we are unable to meet with organizations to discuss individual requests.

Do you provide feedback on applications?

No. We are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful submissions.

Is partial funding available?

Yes. If an application is approved but there are not enough funds to cover the entire cost of the request, we will provide partial funding.

How are applications scored?

Applications are scored based on geographic scope, local teammate involvement, and alignment with our three areas of focus: Mobility, Environment, and People. Additional scoring factors include the breadth and depth of impact, particularly affecting underserved populations and historically marginalized communities, and the innovative use of mobility solutions or technologies to deliver services.

What is the review process?

Once all applications have been received, they are scored and sent to the nearest location to verify previous teammate engagement. Once information is verified and local teammates provide their recommendations on which agencies should be funded and at what level, those recommendations are submitted to the Bridgestone Donations and Social Contributions Committee for final review and approval.

Can I use the Bridgestone or Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund logo once my grant has been approved?

Yes. Grantees will receive a trademark/logo usage agreement. Individual terms may apply.

Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund Grants

Empowering People to Move, Live, Work, and Play in 2025

Since its founding in 1931, Bridgestone has delivered every product, service, and solution guided by our founder’s words to “serve society with superior quality.” Today, we are a global leader in mobility solutions because of that commitment. The Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund mission is to further Bridgestone Americas’ corporate values of improving and advancing society through charitable giving to nonprofit organizations in our local communities.

We are seeking grant proposals from nonprofit organizations that deliver quality services and solutions to local communities. In addition to our three areas of focus, we will consider applications from organizations that have hosted volunteer or community engagement events with Bridgestone volunteers and organizations that have received funding in previous years. Strong applications will include programming aimed at one of the following areas of focus:

Mobility – Improving public transportation, reducing congestion and traffic-related accidents, and increasing accessibility to transportation needs.

Environment – Promoting biodiversity and environmental conservation.

People – Creating a safer society, supporting accessible and inclusive education, and promoting healthier communities.

Interested organizations should read the call for proposals carefully and review the FAQs prior to applying.

ELIGIBILITY

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; institutes of higher education, including technical colleges and universities; and state and local governments, including local schools delivering services in communities where our teammates move, live, work, and play are eligible to apply.

Organizations residing outside of the U.S., partisan political organizations, religious organizations whose primary activities include religious outreach or instruction, parent-teacher organizations, homeowners associations, and membership organizations are not eligible to apply.

GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE

National organizations are eligible to apply but must deliver services in one of the U.S. administrative or manufacturing locations found here.

APPLICATION AND AWARD TIMELINE

There are two application periods. First round applications are due at 5:00 PM EST on March 7, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by April 30, 2025. Second round applications are due at 5:00 PM EST on August 8, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by October, 1, 2025.

Event sponsorships must be requested 90 days prior to the event.

FUNDING AMOUNTS

Typical grants are between $5,000 and $10,000, though we occasionally provide larger grants for organizations that demonstrate the capacity to scale innovative programs for mobility, people, and the environment nationally.

TYPES OF FUNDING

We provide funding for unrestricted use or operating funds, programmatic purposes, and event sponsorships.

Submit a new application