Mary Ishisaki's Legacy Gift to Kimochi, Inc. and San Francisco Japantown Foundation

Mary Ishisaki, longtime community supporter, businesswoman and philanthropist, recently announced a generous legacy gift to Kimochi, Inc. and the San Francisco Japantown Foundation.  The gift is a property located on the Buchanan Mall in San Francisco's Japantown, to be shared equally by the two community non-profit organizations.

"My late husband, Ben and I purchased the property to save it from a tax sale with the intent that it eventually be gifted to the community.  We strongly believed this legacy gift be shared equally between Kimochi, Inc. and San Francisco Japantown Foundation.  Each of their missions promote and preserve the specialness of our Japantown community - Kimochi through its culturally-sensitive programs and services to our Bay Area seniors which allow them to live with dignity and independence, and the Japantown Foundation for its support of cultural, community and educational activities through its annual grants program."

Mary Ishisaki also serves on the Board of Directors for both organizations and knows intimately of their service performance, integrity and commitment to mission.  Mary has also been an active volunteer with Kimochi for over 25 years. Says Ishisaki, "This gift is from our hearts - and it was Ben and my hope that it inspires others to remember the organizations that do so much for our community and to give with an open heart."

Kimochi, Inc. is a nationally recognized, community service organization established in 1971.  Kimochi provides a continuum of culturally sensitive programs & services to help Bay Area seniors preserve their dignity and independence.  Kimochi serves 3,000 Bay Area seniors and their families & caregivers annually - and now extends support into San Mateo County.

The San Francisco Japantown Foundation's mission is to support cultural, community and educational activities for San Francisco Japantown.  Its vision is to preserve and honor Japantown's history by fostering and providing funding for activities that reflect the Japanese American heritage, and to engage Japanese of all generations and all experiences.  The 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.  Since 2007, the Foundation has provided more than $800,000 in funding to the community.

Mourning the Loss of Bob Hamaguchi

We mourn the loss of Bob Hamaguchi, our friend and board member who passed away on September 4, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

As executive director of Japantown Task Force, Inc., Bob was a critical leader in Japantown, in San Francisco, and in the Japanese American community.

"Bob is one of the reasons why the San Francisco Japantown Foundation not only exists today but has grown each year, enabling us to annually distribute tens of thousands of dollars in grants in support of Japantown," said Donald K. Tamaki, board president of the San Francisco Japantown Foundation.

"He was an effective leader because of his charisma, wisdom, common sense, integrity, genuine affection for others and self-deprecating sense of humor. He was universally liked and respected—that’s kind of rare in a community wherein internecine battles are not uncommon. We mourn his passing, but we are so grateful for the legacy he has left behind."

Our deepest thanks to you, Bob, for your service and contributions to preserving and uplifting Japantown. You will be sorely missed, but your spirit will always live on in Japantown and in our hearts.

A Celebration of Life for Bob will take place on Saturday, September 23, at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC), from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Casual attire (golf shirts and aloha attire) requested. Email hamahawaii2016@gmail.com to receive updates.

Update: Grant Applications Now Closed

UPDATE 8/19/17: The grant applications period is closed. Thank you to everyone who applied! Questions about the grants program may be directed to Japantown Foundation board member Diane Matsuda at dianematsuda@hotmail.com.

The San Francisco Japantown Foundation today, July 14, starts accepting applications from qualified organizations for grants of up to $10,000. The application deadline is August 18, 2017.

The Japantown Foundation provides grants for programs and for planning purposes. Applicants must choose one type of grant for their submission.

The rules and application forms are available here: Download the form in Word format or PDF.

These grants are made possible through the original endowments by Kintetsu Enterprises of America, Jack Hirose, Hats and Amey Aizawa, Union Bank, and Minami Tamaki LLP. We also use proceeds from our annual Osechi Ryori New Year’s Celebration Fundraiser, supported by generous sponsors and guests.

Another significant portion of the funds available for these grants comes from our philanthropic partnership with Hotel Kabuki. The Japantown Foundation receives funds raised through the hotel’s You Can Make a Difference program, which asks guests to make a donation when they stay at the property. The Japantown Foundation expresses our appreciation to the Hotel Kabuki and to General Manager Craig Waterman for continuing this valuable partnership. Craig is also a member of our foundation board.

Since 2007, the Foundation has provided more than $700,000 in funding to the community.

Join our email list to be notified about grants program updates. Questions about the grants program may be directed to Japantown Foundation board member Diane Matsuda at dianematsuda@hotmail.com.

Japantown Foundation to Open 2017 Grants Period on July 14

The San Francisco Japantown Foundation will start accepting applications on July 14, 2017, from qualified organizations for grants of up to $10,000. The application deadline is August 18, 2017.

The Japantown Foundation provides grants for programs and for planning purposes. Applicants must choose one type of grant for their submission.

Although we will not accept applications until July 14, the application forms are available now. Download the form in Word format or PDF.

These grants are made possible through the original endowments by Kintetsu Enterprises of America, Jack Hirose, Hats and Amey Aizawa, Union Bank, and Minami Tamaki LLP. We also use proceeds from our annual Osechi Ryori New Year’s Celebration Fundraiser, supported by generous sponsors and guests.

Another significant portion of the funds available for these grants comes from our philanthropic partnership with Hotel Kabuki. The Japantown Foundation receives funds raised through the hotel’s You Can Make a Difference program, which asks guests to make a donation when they stay at the property. The Japantown Foundation expresses our appreciation to the Hotel Kabuki and to General Manager Craig Waterman for continuing this valuable partnership. Craig is also a member of our foundation board.

Since 2007, the Foundation has provided more than $700,000 in funding to the community.

Join our email list to be notified about grants program updates. Questions about the grants program may be directed to Japantown Foundation board member Diane Matsuda at dianematsuda@hotmail.com.

Video: A Japantown Tale

The video "A Japantown Tale" was shown at our New Year Celebration with Osechi Ryori event on January 5, 2017, at the Hotel Kabuki. The video was produced by foundation board member Jon Osaki.