The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Mars has unveiled a new enterprise-level philanthropic initiative, the Mars Impact Fund, committing $85 million between 2025 and 2027 to support community resilience, scientific development and companion animal health.

The fund represents a strategic expansion of Mars’ corporate social responsibility agenda, aligning with the company’s principles-driven, family-owned business model.

It complements Mars’ existing sustainability and foundation activities with long-term, targeted investments designed to generate measurable outcomes in markets where the company operates.

Initial grants have been awarded to Save the Children and Humane World for Animals.

Save the Children will receive $3 million over three years to expand Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in cocoa-growing communities in Indonesia, aiming to strengthen livelihoods, child protection and community resilience.

Humane World for Animals has been granted $726,000 to enhance veterinary access and training in underserved communities in India and Mexico, addressing both animal welfare and public health outcomes.

“The Mars Impact Fund builds on decades of investment in the communities where we operate, strengthening and scaling work already underway,” said Andy Pharoah, vice president of corporate affairs and sustainability.

He added: “By partnering with organisations that bring local expertise, we can expand opportunity, strengthen resilience, and improve lives for people and pets globally”.

The fund will focus on three strategic pillars: boosting sourcing community resilience, diversifying the pipeline of scientists in food, agriculture and pet care, and improving companion animal wellbeing. It will also serve as Mars’ rapid-response vehicle for disaster relief impacting communities, employees and operations.

The initiative signals an ongoing trend among major multinational F&B companies to embed philanthropy directly into enterprise strategy, leveraging core business expertise to drive systemic change.

Mars, which generated over $65 billion in revenue across its food, snack and pet care segments, operates globally with brands including M&M’S, Pedigree and Royal Canin.

Its veterinary networks, including Banfield and Bluepearl, provide a platform to extend the impact fund’s animal welfare initiatives.

From 2028 onward, the company expects to allocate at least $50 million annually to the fund.

Featured image: © Mars