MUFG Union Bank Foundation
/OVERVIEW: MUFG funds racial equity work, environmental grants, affordable housing and economic development initiatives in Chicago, New York, California, Texas, and the Pacific Northwest.
IP TAKE: This corporate funder has an accessible application process, but its grantmaking may be geographically limited. Grantseekers outside of Chicago, New York, California, Texas, and the Pacific Northwest will need to look elsewhere. MUFG is a responsive funder, so reach out if you have general questions.
PROFILE: The MUFG Union Bank Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the North American branch of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), an international financial services and holding company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It seeks to “make philanthropic investments that expand access to economic opportunity in low- and moderate-income communities specifically in the areas of affordable housing, community economic development, education, human services and the environment.” The foundation’s grantmaking supports affordable housing, economic development, and stewardship and sustainability. It also funds a Community Recovery program that supports social and economic justice within communities of color
Grants for Housing and Homelessness, Community Development
MUFG’s grants through its Affordable Housing program support programs such as housing development and rehabilitation, public policy, and emergency, transitional, and permanent housing. Previous grantees include California Coalition for Rural Housing, California Community Builders, Inc., Laurel House Inc, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, and American Family Housing.
Grants for the Environment
The foundation’s Stewardship and Sustainability program supports environmental and social well-being. The types of programs it funds include basic needs and food security, land preservation and resource conservation, and clean water/clean energy. Previous grantees include Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture, O’Neill Sea Odyssey, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, and Explore Ecology.
Grants for Economic Opportunity and Racial Equity
MUFG’s Economic Development grants support programs related to small business and innovation, job training and career development, and financial education and scholarships. In addition to this program, MUFG committed $10 million to create a Community Recovery Program, in order to address racial and social injustice in the US. This initiative supports “nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to social and economic justice within communities of color” and that focus “on building economic stability, including supporting access to capital, entrepreneurship, job retention and retraining.”
Past grantees include Homeboy Industries, Oakland Department of Finance, Union Station Homeless Services, and the International Rescue Committee’s Center for Economic Opportunity.
Important Grant Details:
MUFG does not provide detailed information about its past grantees. Grantseekers based in the United States may apply online, but applicants are advised to reach out to foundation staff in their region before applying. View a list of past grantees here and a list of corporate sponsorships here, in order to get a better sense of the types of organizations MUFG supports.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
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