San Francisco Japantown Foundation Accepting Applications for 2012 Matching Grants Program

Apr 23

The San Francisco Japantown Foundation’s 2012 matching grants program will provide grants of up to $20,000 to qualified not-for-profit projects. These grants are made possible by individual donors to the Foundation and through a dollar-for-dollar match by the Foundation.

An organization, group, or individual must first qualify for the matching grants program by submitting a not-for-profit project or program for the Foundation’s consideration. Applications are due by May 15, 2012, 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Visit http://japantownfoundation.org for more information and to apply online.

In order to qualify for the matching grants program, projects need to meet one or more of the following criteria: (a) promotes Japantown by increasing tourists and others to visit the area;(b) promotes business and branding for the Japantown area; (c) promotes civic engagement in the Japanese American community and between other communities in the region; and/or (d) enhances Japantown’s characteristics through beautification or historical preservation, provided that the project or program that has already secured all requisite government and community approvals.

“This matching grants program, our fourth round of grantmaking since our founding, reflects our ongoing commitment to support organizations, groups and individuals working to advance the Japantown and Japanese American communities,” said foundation board president Donald K. Tamaki, a partner with the Minami Tamaki LLP law firm.

After the May 15 application deadline, the Japantown Foundation will announce the matching grant program participants on May 31 and accept donations for the matching grants in June and July. Final grants will be announced in August.

The foundation will conduct a phone briefing for prospective applicants on Monday, April 30, at 4:30 Pacific Time. Register online for the briefing by Friday, April 27, at http://japantownfoundation.org/grants/briefing.

The Japantown Foundation was formed in December 2006 through generous endowments by Kintetsu Enterprises of America, Jack Hirose, Hats and Amey Aizawa, Union Bank and Minami Tamaki LLP. The Foundation’s mission is to support cultural, community and educational activities for San Francisco Japantown. The Foundation has provided nearly $75,000 in grants through its grants programs since 2007.

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