Sony Corporation has launched a nationwide ‘Create Action’ initiative to support local grassroots organizations. Sony designed the $1M+ grant program to support underserved and underrepresented communities at a local effort. Sony aims to enhance the efforts of local, non-profit organizations through grants, product support and enhanced marketing and outreach efforts.
Youth in underserved communities face many challenges. Among these challenges, a lack of access to opportunities and support looms large. Local non-profit organizations work hard to offer the children and young adults in their communities the mentorship, leadership, education and sense of community needed to grow and prosper. Unfortunately, many organizations often struggle to achieve the level of financial stability they need.
Through Create Action, Sony will select a total of 10 organizations to receive Create Action grants and support, with a new grant recipient being announced each month from this month through March 2022.
Selected organizations will receive the following:
$50,000 cash grant
Up to $50,000 in Sony product support
A custom film created by Sony-affiliated creators that promotes the organization’s mission and efforts
Full support of the Sony brand and its platform to spread the organization’s message and raise awareness
Additional opportunities to collaborate with Sony Electronics and its network of corporate partners
Sony is calling for applications now. Eligible non-profit organizations must be 501(c)(3) with less than $500k in annual operating revenue. Although not a strictly limiting one, there’s an emphasis on organizations that focus on STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics), academic enrichment, workforce development, and community and civic engagement.
The $500k in annual operating revenue is a telling one. 88% of non-profits, which is over a million organizations in the US, have annual budgets of less than $500,000. These smaller organizations, whose budgets may already be stretched thin to serve their primary purpose, struggle to market and fundraise. In fact, per a survey (National Council of Non-Profits / JPMorgan Chase – Bridgespan Survey), marketing and fundraising are the two most cited challenges for smaller non-profit organizations. In addition to the financial assistance promised by Sony, the help in marketing and outreach may prove critical for the selected organizations.
The funding to support Create Action is sourced from Sony’s Global Social Justice Fund. The $100M fund was announced in June 2020 ‘to support social justice and anti-racist initiatives around the world.
Neal Manowitz, President and COO of Sony Electronics, said, ‘Sony’s main purpose is to ‘Fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.’ Create Action is designed to support this mission. It is a program that summons the full power of Sony – including funding, product, creative resources and accessibility – to expand the impact and influence of local organizations that are creating a tremendous positive impact in their community.’
Press release:
Sony Electronics Launches Nationwide ‘Create Action’ Initiative to Support Local Non-Profit Organizations
$1 Million Social Justice Program Offers Funding, Product, Creative Resources and Increased Awareness for Local Organizations Supporting Underrepresented, Underserved Communities
SAN DIEGO, CA – Jun 9, 2021 – Sony Electronics (“Sony”) today announced the launch of ‘CREATE ACTION’, a new $1 million grant program designed to support underserved, underrepresented communities by amplifying the efforts of local, non-profit organizations embedded within these communities. This program is part of Sony’s broader social justice efforts, with funding sourced from the company’s Global Social Justice Fund.
Why CREATE ACTION?
88% of non-profits, over 1 million organizations in the U.S., have annual budgets of less than $500,000. Marketing and fundraising are the two most cited challenges for these smaller organizations*. Many times, they lack the necessary budget, creative resources or accessibility to larger platforms to help spread their message.
Grant Program Details
Sony will select a total of 10 organizations to receive the CREATE ACTION grants, with one new grant being announced each month from June 2021 through March 2022.
Grant winners will receive:
$50,000 cash grant (by check)
$50,000 in Sony Electronics products
Additionally, Sony will provide grant winners:
A custom short film promoting the organization’s mission and efforts, created in collaboration with a team of Sony-affiliated creators
Support of the Sony brand and platform to help spread their message and raise awareness
Additional opportunities for collaboration with Sony Electronics and extended network of corporate partners
Eligible non-profit organizations need to be 501(c)(3) with less than $500k annual operating revenue for 2019 and 2020, with a key focus on programs including, but not limited to:
STEAM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics)
Academic Enrichment
Workforce Development
Community and Civic Engagement
“Sony’s main purpose is to ‘Fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology,’” said Neal Manowitz, President and COO of Sony Electronics Inc. “CREATE ACTION is designed to support this purpose. It is a program that summons the power of Sony – including funding, product, creative resources and accessibility – to expand the impact and influence of local organizations that are creating a tremendous positive impact in their community.”
The program launches with a national call-to-action for applications, open from today through March 29th, 2022. After initial submission, each application will be within consideration throughout the entirety of the program.
To learn more, see Sony Electronics’ Create Action Grant Program Official Rules, including awards, entry instructions, etc. and to apply for a CREATE ACTION grant, please visit:
www.alphauniverse.com/createaction