Nissan awards $89,360 in grants to fund innovative learning opportunities for Mississippi students

CANTON, Miss. – Today Nissan and BankPlus will award 34 grants totaling $89,360 to fund creative educational projects taught by teachers in the Canton and Madison County school districts. The Nissan/BankPlus Education Mini-Grant Program, administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, has awarded $560,000 to local schools since the program was created in 2007.

Each year local teachers, counselors and school administrators are invited to apply for the grants, which provide funding for projects that their school’s budget will not cover. Grant awards range from $500 to $5,000 and support innovative teaching and learning that aligns with state-mandated curricula.

The names of this year’s projects illustrate the range of topics that will engage students: “Bacteria Quest,” “Everyday Math with Everyday Technology,” “Read to Lead” and “Geometry: Does It Really Add Up?” Some project funds will be used to purchase robotics kits, science laboratory supplies, a printer to enable the publishing of original writing, or materials to support the creation of a one-act opera produced by fourth graders.

“These grants enhance the learning experience of hundreds of Mississippi students every year, giving them opportunities they would not have enjoyed otherwise,” says Jane Alexander, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson. “We are so grateful that Nissan demonstrates its commitment to education with its financial support year after year.”

Since 2003, Nissan and its employees have awarded more than $11 million in educational grants, scholarships and in-kind gifts. Nissan employees give of their time as well, volunteering in classrooms, as one-on-one mentors or as board members for nonprofits focused on youth development and education.

“Education is a powerful asset that will help our students reach their full potential,” says Steve Marsh, Nissan’s vice president, Manufacturing. “Encouraging students to learn and grow is the objective of these grants because we know that what they learn in classrooms today will shape our community and our workforce in the future.”

Nissan will present the mini-grants this afternoon at a recognition ceremony at its assembly plant in Canton. Representatives from BankPlus, Nissan’s on-site banking partner and mini-grant program collaborator, will participate in the ceremony.

“We are extremely proud to continue to partner with Nissan on the mini-grant program each year,” says Gene Delcomyn, senior executive vice president of BankPlus. “Nissan and BankPlus are both committed to improving our community through increasing the quality of education our children receive, and this program helps make that possible.”

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. LEAF is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About BankPlus
BankPlus, with total assets of more than $2.5 billion, has over 60 locations in 34 Mississippi communities. BankPlus offices are located in Belzoni, Bentonia, Brandon, Byram, Canton, Clinton, D’Iberville, Durant, Flora, Flowood, Gluckstadt, Hernando, Holly Bluff, Horn Lake, Isola, Jackson, Lexington, Madison, Meridian, Newton, Olive Branch, Pearl, Picayune, Pickens, Poplarville, Quitman, Ridgeland, Shubuta, Southaven, Stonewall, Tchula, Tupelo, Waynesboro and Yazoo City. For additional information on BankPlus, please visit www.BankPlus.net.

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Contact

Camille Young
Nissan North America
(601) 594-0945
camille.young2@nissan-usa.com