Bayer Fund, the philanthropic arm of life sciences company Bayer, awarded $3.5 million in grants to 175 charities and nonprofit organizations throughout the United States — including $525,200 to eight organizations in New Jersey.
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 — combating malnutrition and food insecurity, support services for patients and families managing cardiovascular disease and cancer, and enhancing STEM education in school systems.
The following grants were connected to the state:
STEM initiatives:
- Students 2 Science in East Hanover: $125,000
- National Environment Education and Training Foundation: $55,200
Food insecurity:
- Community FoodBank of New Jersey: $200,000
- Interfaith Food Pantry: $50,000
- Nourish.NJ: $30,000
- CUMAC ECHO: $25,000
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark: $25,000
- Faith Kitchen: $15,000
In addition, the National PTA received a grant of $150,000, which will provide 40 high-need, underresourced PTA-affiliated schools in the greater New Jersey, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Berkeley, California, regions with the resources to host a Bayer Fund Science Festival.
Al Mitchell, president of Bayer Fund, said the funding is part of the company’s commitment to the communities it serves.
“Throughout the years, grants provided by Bayer Fund have provided the tools and resources to help build stronger communities across the United States,” he said. “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, he said.
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey received its grant to expand its nutrition programs for children, Kids Café, which provides emergency food services year-round, and its Family Pack Program that makes grab-and-go summer meals. The program serves approximately 5,000 children.
In addition to grant donations, Bayer Fund offers a matching gifts program to all Bayer employees in the U.S. 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 U.S. have received more than $80 million from Bayer Fund.
Bayer has a major U.S. presence in Whippany.
