Japan America Society / Japan Society Capacity Building Grant Program

Overview

Grant type	Prepaid grant
Proposal deadline	September 23, 2024
Funding opportunity	U.S.-based Japan America Societies and Japan Societies with 501©(3) status
Benefits	Maximum of $30,000

Recognizing the importance of Japan America Societies (JAS/JS) in fostering mutual understanding between the U.S. and Japan on a grassroots level, Japan Foundation (JF) New York aims to support the JAS in its work with the Capacity Building Grant Program. In order to further strengthen JAS in the NAJAS network and to enhance their effectiveness in carrying out their mission, this program supports capacity building projects that demonstrate feasibility and organizational sustainability that will contribute to organizational growth. Successful applicants will be awarded grants of up to $30,000 for up to 12 months.

Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. September 23, 2024 (EDT)

Project Categories

JF welcomes proposed projects that fall under (but not limited to) one or more of the categories below.

1. Income and Fundraising. Research and implement income generation plans that ensure sustainability and growth of the Society.
2. Strategic Planning. Develop a strategic plan/ Strategize and develop a plan that aims to build organizational capacity and ensures organizational leaders, board members and staff have a clear and unified understanding of the Society’s long-term goals and priorities.
3. Public Relations Development. Create and implement PR and marketing strategies that raise the visibility of the Society and lead to increased engagement with the community.
4. Program Development. Create and implement innovative programming and dissemination channels, including digital ones, that will contribute to overall organizational sustainability by reaching new and wider audiences. 
5. Membership Development. Create and implement a plan to increase membership and strengthen the networking ability of the Society, expanding reach to other interest groups such as local businesses, Japan-related organizations, and young professionals.
6. Professional Development. Professional development programs for the Society’s leadership, staff, and volunteers that will enhance individual and/or group skill sets relevant to organizational growth and sustainability.
7. Not-For-Profit management and Governance. Enhance personnel management within the Society, to include continuity and succession planning, as well as board utilization and engagement.

Grant Coverage

The grant amount is up to $30,000 and inclusive of indirect costs. Amounts will be decided after reviewing the project in terms of scale and necessity. Grant coverage is for up to 12 months.

• Personnel (staff salary) & Honoraria (web developer, consultant, speaker etc.)
• Travel (transportation costs) and Per Diem (hotels and meals)
• Conference Costs (room rental, interpretation fees, AV equipment rental etc.)
• Report & Publication Costs (editing, translating, printing costs, etc.)

JF will support indirect costs of up to ten percent (10%) of the actual direct costs JF supports. Rent and other administrative costs are considered indirect costs by JF.

A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the total project budget must be secured from non-JF sources such as the applying organization, a collaborating institution, and/or other sources. 

 

Eligibility

Japan America Societies/Japan Societies in the U.S. with 501©(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code are eligible.

Organizations that have received the following JF grants for 3 consecutive years are not eligible: “CGP 2021 Relief Grant for Japan America Societies and Japanese Gardens” in 2021, “Japan America Society / Japan Society Capacity Building Grant Program” in 2022 or 2023.

JF will not consider proposals for the following:

• Commercial activities;
• Political activities, election campaigns, or religious activities;
• Activities in support of specific doctrines or claims;
• Language education programs.
• *If you are interested in language education grants, please visit the JFLA website. 

Requirements

• At least one (1) tangible output that will lead to long-term outcomes and sustained positive impact in the organization and community such as:
  • Strategic planning report that focuses on changes that will be implemented in the Society
  • Event (virtual or in-person: symposium, conference, workshop, etc.)
• Project must begin sometime between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025
  *Preparatory activities that are relevant to the project can mark the beginning of the grant period.
• A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the total project budget must be secured from non-JF sources such as the applying organization, a collaborating institution, and/or other sources.

Priorities

Projects with one or more of the following qualities will be prioritized:

• Organizations with immediate needs.
• Resource-sharing with the greater Japan America Societies community. Collaborative projects by multiple Japan America Societies are welcomed.
• Board Commitment. Demonstrated alignment between the board members and organizational staff on the proposed project.
• Community Collaboration. Project that demonstrates collaboration with the Society’s larger community (K-12, universities, museums, businesses, Japan related organization in the region etc.).
• Demonstration of a fresh and innovative approach to accomplish project goals.

Lower priority will be given to projects that can be supported by the Global Partnerships Small Grant Program or Education Grant Program.

Proposals that are the same or very similar to previously supported projects are also a lower priority. JF encourages applicants to demonstrate innovation and/or lessons learned if a proposal similar to a project that has received funding from JF in the past is submitted.

How to Apply

Please download and read the full guidelines prior to starting the application process. Detailed Budget template and Organization Information Form can also be downloaded from the link below. Full proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (EDT) September 23, 2024 through the online application form.

Proposals must include the following forms:

Grant Application Online Form

• Applicant Information
• Project Information

Attachments

• Narrative Description of the Project
• Detailed Budget (use JF excel template)
• Curriculum Vitae for the Project Director and Biography of all key participants
• Organization Information Form (use JF template)
• Proof of 501(c)(3) status
• Institutional Information

If you have any questions, please contact GEEprogram@jpf.go.jp

All applicants will be notified of the review result around November 2024.

List of Past Awardees

• 2023 Awardees
• 2022 Awardees