CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Takeda announced Wednesday it has awarded $13.8 million in grants to seven nonprofit organizations across the United States, deepening its investment in community-based programs aimed at promoting healthy eating and expanding access to STEM education.
The funding is part of Takeda’s U.S. Corporate Philanthropy Program, which supports organizations that are working to address key social determinants of health through initiatives that improve nutrition and foster learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Since 2021, Takeda has contributed nearly $68 million to philanthropic efforts aligned with these goals.
“It’s truly an honor for us to support organizations that are driving meaningful change in their local communities,” said Julie Kim, president of Takeda’s U.S. Business Unit and U.S. Country Head. “Their dedication, vision, and creativity in providing quality food to those in need and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders is making a real and lasting impact, and we’re proud to play a role in helping them advance their missions.”
The seven grant recipients include both local and national organizations. Among them are Daily Table, a nonprofit grocery store expanding its affordable offerings with two new Boston-area locations, and Fresh Truck, which provides mobile access to fresh produce through neighborhood markets and community events. Other grantees include Food is Medicine Coalition, which supports the delivery of medically tailored meals across the U.S., and The Food Group in Minnesota, which is developing a new food ranking system to encourage healthy eating.
On the education front, grants will support Learn Fresh, a national organization bringing game-based STEM learning to students in Boston and beyond, and the STEM Next Opportunity Fund, which works to build math confidence through out-of-school programs. The Young People’s Project will also receive support to grow its peer-based math literacy programs nationwide.
Nick Monzi, CEO and co-founder of Learn Fresh, said Takeda’s funding has significantly expanded the organization’s impact. “Since the company’s first grant, we have doubled the size of our team, introduced new programs with the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Soccer, and reached over 800,000 students nationwide,” Monzi said. “We appreciate the trust that Takeda has placed in our team to engage educators and students through our robust, mission-aligned partnership.”
Grant recipients are selected through a biannual review process. Takeda prioritizes organizations that align with its core philanthropic focus areas and takes a data-informed, community-centered approach to identifying areas of greatest need. The company partners with both local and national nonprofits to support diverse communities and address critical barriers to health equity.
In addition to announcing this year’s grants, Takeda also released its 2024 U.S. Community Impact Report. The annual report highlights the company’s efforts to build a more equitable healthcare ecosystem by improving access to care, nutrition, and education while fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.
