Mars Impact Fund: Pledging US$85m for Health Resilience

Mars, a global leader in snacking, pet care and food, has launched the Mars Impact Fund with a commitment to accelerate meaningful impact in communities where it operates.

The initiative, which pledges US$85m between 2025 and 2027, could represent a significant step towards improving health outcomes for both people and animals in vulnerable communities worldwide.

The company's approach centres on strategic, long-term investments designed to complement existing sustainability efforts under its Sustainable in a Generation plan.

From 2028 onwards, Mars plans to distribute at least $50m annually in additional capital through grants to companies and organisations developing initiatives, products, services and solutions that can create lasting impact in local communities.

Michelle Grogg, Executive Director of the Mars Impact Fund, says: "Change starts with listening, learning and working alongside the communities we serve.

"Through the Mars Impact Fund, we're partnering with organisations that bring deep expertise and local insight so that, together, we can expand opportunity, strengthen resilience and improve lives for people and pets around the world."

Strengthening community health resilience

The Fund has selected its first grant recipients, with Save the Children receiving a three-year, $3m grant to develop community resilience programmes in cocoa-growing areas of Indonesia.

The initiative aims to strengthen health and financial stability for families through expanded Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), which could provide crucial support systems for improving overall wellbeing in these communities.

Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children US, says: "We're grateful for our long-standing partnership with Mars, grounded in our shared commitment to children and communities.

"As we enter this next phase of our collaboration in Indonesia, the Mars Impact Fund will help us reach 115 villages over the next three years.

"Together, we're supporting families to build financial stability, strengthen child protection systems and advance community-led resilience across cocoa growing areas – delivering lasting change for women, children and families."

The connection between financial stability and health outcomes could be significant, as families with stronger economic foundations may have better access to healthcare, nutrition and protective resources for children.

Expanding veterinary care access

Humane World for Animals will receive a $726,000 grant to expand equitable access to veterinary care and training in select communities in India and Mexico.

This initiative addresses a critical barrier to companion animal health and welfare, particularly in underserved areas where quality veterinary services may be limited or non-existent.

Kitty Block, President and CEO of Humane World for Animals, says: "What excites me about our partnership with Mars is that together we're removing one of the biggest barriers to better health and welfare outcomes for companion animals: access to quality veterinary care.

"Our programmes reaching street dogs and pets in underserved communities are doing more than just improving the lives of animals, too.

"They're creating lasting solutions for healthier and safer communities around the world."

The health implications extend beyond individual animals, as improved veterinary care could help prevent disease transmission and create safer community environments. This approach recognises the interconnected nature of animal and human health in shared spaces.

The Mars Impact Fund focuses on three main priorities aligned with the company's values: boosting sourcing community resiliency, growing and diversifying the pipeline of scientists, and improving companion animal wellbeing.

These priorities could have direct implications for health outcomes across Mars's operational footprint.

Andy Pharoah, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Mars, says: "The Mars Impact Fund builds on decades of partnership and investment in the communities where we operate, strengthening and scaling the work already underway.

"It is designed to complement our broader impact agenda to benefit people, pets and the planet and help us deepen relationships with organisations working to create lasting impact."

By supporting farming families and communities worldwide, the Fund aims to improve livelihoods and wellbeing, which could directly impact the quality and resilience of Mars's supply chain.

Better health outcomes in farming communities may translate to more sustainable ingredient sourcing, while increased access to veterinary care could build animal health and wellbeing in under-resourced areas.

This integrated approach suggests that business success and community health can be mutually reinforcing objectives.