The Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant will be awarded to six institutions in the United States and Canada in the areas of research and chocolate programming. 

Recipients were announced at a gala hosted at the Heritage Chocolate Society on Feb. 23 at Colonial Williamsburg. The Heritage Chocolate Society seeks to further the study of chocolate's diverse history and its impact on past and present culture in the Americas. Since its inception in 2013, there have been over $400,000 in grant funds awarded.

"Mars is proud to have awarded grant funds to over 46 cultural and educational institutions over the past 10 years,” said Gail Broadright, senior director of digital sales, marketing and user experience, Mars Wrigley. “This has resulted in continued chocolate history research, discovery and development of educational programs that have impacted thousands of people across North America, bringing better moments to people through the rich history of chocolate. This year's grant winners will continue to contribute to the evolving global story of chocolate in people's lives."

Mars Wrigley and American Heritage Chocolate awarded grants to the following institutions:

• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• New York Historical Society
• Henderson State University
• Fortress Louisbourg Association
• We Make History

Mars plans to continue to award grants on an annual basis and the submission period for the 2023 awards begins on Aug. 30, 2022 at https://www.americanheritagechocolate.com/grants/.  

American Heritage Chocolate is a line of artisanal chocolate products developed from ingredient lists from the 1750s. Developed by Mars Wrigley, American Heritage Chocolate shines a light on the stories of both tragedy and triumph throughout our collective history — from chocolate's Mesoamerican roots, dating back over 3500 years, to its place in the lives of European and Colonial American families, to its role in popular culture today. The late Forrest E. Mars, Jr's passion to push the boundaries of discovery is what inspired the formation of the Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Research Grant.