NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2007 -- The Toyota USA Foundation today announced that it has more than doubled the size of its endowment, from $42 million to $100 million. In 2007, the Foundation gave over $4 million to enhance K-12 math and science teaching throughout the United States.

"This was a year of important milestones for Toyota in America with both the 50th anniversary of sales in the U.S. and the 20th year of the Toyota USA Foundation," said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of Toyota Motor North America. "The Foundation has provided over $22 million in grants to nearly 200 organizations since its inception, and we are excited to increase our giving by raising the endowment to $100 million."

The Toyota USA Foundation supports quality K-12 programs that improve the teaching and learning of mathematics, science, and environmental education. The foundation places a high priority on:

* Diverse programs that are broad in scope, incorporate
inter-disciplinary learning, and use "real-world" classroom
applications; and
* Innovative and cost-effective programs which develop students and
teachers' abilities.
Toyota USA Foundation Second-Half 2007 Grants:
Organization Program Description Grant
Biotech Partners Science for Provides four semesters $200,000
Berkeley, CA Life of hands-on bioscience over two
class work and an years
eight-week paid
internship that helps
prepare under-represented
youth to enter the biotech
workforce or a community
or four-year college.
Colorado River River Three-year program for 6th $100,000
Foundation Stewards - 8th grade students that over two
Austin, TX uses field-based learning years
to enhance science
performance and
environmental stewardship.
Paired with classroom
curriculum, field activities
include study of animal
adaptations, renewable
energy production,
water quality and
pollution analysis.
Four Corners Learning K-8th grade program $400,000
School of Progressions promotes conceptual over two
Outdoor Education - The Living understanding and years
Monticello, UT Environment increases student
interest in the sciences.
Eighty teachers and
2,000 students, 50
percent of which are
Native American, in
20 rural elementary
and middle schools
in four states, will
participate in education,
service, adventure and
conservation programs.
James Madison Summer Acquaints teachers with $255,365
University Institute up-to-date developments over
Harrisonburg, VA For Regional in physics as well as three
Physics And new and improved years
Physical pedagogical technique.
Science Also included is funding
Teachers for a teacher-in-residence
to manage the program.
The National AquaPartners A systemic, $464,381
Aquarium interdisciplinary science over
Baltimore, MD program for 1,500 4th and three
5th grade students and years
their teachers that
integrates biological,
marine and environmental
sciences into the
curriculum, in the
classroom, in the field
and at the Aquarium.
University of High School A joint project of $200,000
Michigan Beginning UM-Dearborn's Center for
Ann Arbor, MI Algebra Mathematics Education
Academy and the Wayne County
Regional Educational
Services Agency to improve
math understanding and
instruction among high
school teachers in
Wayne County.
University of Online Development of a $540,345
Nebraska Masters collaborative over
Lincoln, NE Degree in interdisciplinary four
Applied online master's degree years
Science program for K-12th grade
science teachers across
the country. Teachers
will have the opportunity
to improve their own
science knowledge while
also learning effective
science teaching methods
to apply in their
classrooms.
University of Mission: Launch a mentoring program $225,000
Southern Engineering to prepare and encourage over
California promising high school three
Los Angeles, CA students to pursue years
undergraduate
engineering degrees.
The students will be
introduced to the
scientific method,
problem-solving and
teamwork through seminars
and a two-week summer camp.
Virginia Tech One Mission Development of a core $243,870
Blacksburg, VA of K-12th grade standards
from each of the STEM
(Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math)
disciplines integrated
through the theme of
exploration, particularly
of space and ocean systems.