The Nissan Foundation recently named Nashville PBS as a 2025 grant recipient. The Nissan Foundation grant of $50,000 will help fund WNPT’s Next Door Neighbors series.
Celebrating the power of identity, inclusion and belonging, the Nissan Foundation continues its commitment to community and cultural connection with grants to 37 nonprofits across the U.S. this year. This funding reflects the Foundation’s enduring mission: to honor in equal measure that which makes us different and also what brings us together.
With this year’s contributions, the Nissan Foundation reaches a milestone of $17.7 million in grants since its founding in 1992. The program has impacted millions across the country, helping to build more spaces of acceptance and support programming rooted in education, representation and shared humanity.
“Since the genesis of the Nissan Foundation, we’ve seen how powerful it can be to invest in organizations that make cultural understanding a priority,” said Andrew Tavi, senior vice president of corporate and external affairs for Nissan Americas and president of the NissanFoundation. “This year’s grantees reflect the innovative thinking, compassionate empathy and deep community roots that are forging real progress in our country. We’re incredibly proud to play a role in fueling their important work.”
The 2025 grant recipients include a dynamic mix of nonprofits focused on multicultural education, inclusive arts programming, and more. Each organization is based in one of Nissan’s eight operational communities: Atlanta, Central Mississippi, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Middle Tennessee, New York City, Southeast Michigan, and Southern California.
Nashville PBS’ Next Door Neighbors series of documentaries and short videos started in 2008 and continues to highlight the various communities of immigrants who’ve made their home in Middle Tennessee. The most recent documentary in the series, Flavors Without Borders, premiered in June 2025 and is available to watch any time here or on the PBS app. The next film in the project is expected to air in spring 2026.
“I love that Flavors Without Borders focuses on local stories and different flavors of Nashville and I’ve been encouraged by the response from our community. I’m hearing from people who have been inspired to visit and support these businesses,” said Becky Magura, president and CEO of Nashville PBS. “I’m grateful to the Nissan Foundation for making this opportunity happen.”
“The most meaningful change often starts at the local level – with people listening, learning and lifting one another up,” said Ali Tonn, senior manager of philanthropy at Nissan North America and executive director of the Nissan Foundation. “Our 2025 grantees create spaces where cultural curiosity thrives, and community bonds are strengthened. It’s a privilege to support organizations that are not only educating and inspiring, but also helping to bond and unite.”
See the complete list of 2025 grantees here.