Grant Applications Available Aug. 10
The San Francisco Japantown Foundation announced today that applications for its first round of grants will be available starting at Noon on Friday, August 10, 2007.
This will be the foundation’s initial disbursement of awards since being founded in December 2006. Grants will be up to $5,000 and provided to nonprofit groups with cultural, community and educational activities that the Foundation determines best promotes and supports San Francisco’s Japantown.
Starting August 10, applications may be submitted online at www.sfjapantownfoundation.org. A printable form may also be downloaded from the site and mailed or faxed per instructions on the application.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on October 12, 2007. A subcommittee of the foundation's board will review requests in late October and the board will approve grants in November. The foundation will announce the awardees in early December 2007.
“The foundation board expresses its appreciation to our generous donors and to the Japantown community for its support and patience as we lay the groundwork during our first year,” said Donald K. Tamaki, board president and partner with Minami Tamaki LLP.
The foundation was formed through generous initial endowments by Kintetsu Enterprises of America, Jack Hirose, Hats and Amey Aizawa, and Minami Tamaki LLP, which is also doing the foundation’s pro bono legal work.
The organization is dedicated to preserving and honoring Japantown’s history, to welcoming and serving its residents, visitors, businesses, congregations and community organizations, and to supporting the growth and development of the community. In particular, the foundation supports activities that reflect the Japanese American experience, and activities that engage Japanese of all generations and all experiences in America.
In addition to Tamaki, the foundation’s board is comprised of: Hats Aizawa; Richard Hashimoto, Japantown Merchants Association; Jack Hirose; Keith Kamisugi; Eiji Miwa; Sandy Mori, Japantown Task Force, Inc.; Allen Okamoto, Sakura Matsuri, Inc.; and Hiroshi Tomita, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California. Deputy Consul General Kazuyoshi Yamaguchi of the Consulate General of Japan serves as an advisory member.
The foundation is building on an initial total starting endowment of approximately $650,000.
The foundation welcomes additional grants and donations. Donations to the Foundation can be made payable to "San Francisco Japantown Foundation" and addressed to: San Francisco Japantown Foundation, c/o Minami Tamaki LLP, 360 Post Street, 8th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108
Visit www.sfjapantownfoundation.org, email info@sfjapantownfoundation.org or call 415-830-4165 or for more information.
