We are excited to announce our first round of Mini-grant awards
Mini-grants are available during much of the year and are independent of our large grant cycle. Funding is for projects that need $5,000 or less. The purpose of mini-grants is to fund projects that may be small in scale and short term, but that fall outside of our annual or multi-year funding cycle.
Four organizations received mini-grants in March. They are:
Go For Broke National Education Center
Located in Los Angeles, CA, Go For Broke received a capacity building grant to update their technology and better serve their constituents.
Currently, as new staff members have joined the team, we have “recycled” old computers and printers to temporarily meet the needs of the growing staff. Unfortunately, technology has a very short “shelf life” and the outdated equipment is unable to meet the demands of our growing work. For example, our digital archives and oral histories require a large amount of RAM and processing in order to edit the material. Our communications staff, working on publications and web presence requires specific software. The exhibits team must manipulate high-resolution files when creating new displays. Three of our staff members are currently sharing two workstations and must alternate using the computer/desk, which is resulting in a decrease of productivity. GFBNEC is seeking funding to replace outdated or broken equipment and create new workstations for our growing staff.
You can find out more about Go For Broke at www.goforbroke.org
Nalc (Nikkei Active Life Club) USA
Located in Torrance, CA, Nalc received a grant to support their Senior Healthcare Conference.
A free, one-day conference titled, “Secured and Comfortable Life Conference”, will take place on Sunday, November 10th at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute. The goal is to improve the quality of life of Japanese American older adults by providing timely and practical information on leading cause of Alzheimer disease, self-care and available social services and putting together the legal documents needed for protecting yourself and your loved ones.
You can find out more about Nalc at www.nalcusanpo.org
American River Conservancy (ARC)
ARC received a grant to support the WakamatsuFest150.
The American River Conservancy (ARC) and the Japanese-American community will co-host WakamatsuFest150, a 4-day sesquicentennial festival to honor the 150th Anniversary of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony on June 6 to 9, 2019. This 150th anniversary observance will feature food, art, music, performances, demonstrations, discussions, and merchandise unique to Japanese and Japanese American culture. Docents will share stories about the first Japanese colonists who established their tea and silk farm.
You can find out more about American River Conservancy at arconservancy.org
The post photo is by Mark Shigenaga at Wakamatsu Farm.
Japantown Task Force, Inc.
Located in San Francisco, CA, the Japantown Task Force received a grant for a pilot event for the San Francisco Japantown Arts and Culture Sustainability Program.
Owners of the Japan Center Malls has graciously donated a 1400 square foot space, during the Cherry Blossom festival to pilot a performing arts program for the Visitor’s Center concept. A program has been developed called the “J-Town Culture Bearers, Past-Present-Future.” The venue requires substantial decorating, setup and event staffing. The event also requires video recording to prove the pilot concept for future funding sources.
You can find out more about the Japantown Task Force at japantowntaskforce.org