Call for Proposals: NPO Foundation Strengthening Grant (Japan)

The SOMPO Welfare Foundation offers grants to Japanese NPOs working in social welfare that plan to obtain certified NPO status, including special certification. The grant is ¥300,000 per organisation, with ¥3 million available in total. Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 p.m. on 9 October 2026. The grant helps social welfare NPOs cover costs associated with obtaining certified NPO status or special certified NPO status. Its wider aim is to support capable, sustainable NPOs that can play a central role in their communities. Each selected organisation receives ¥300,000. The total grant budget is ¥3 million. The funding can be used for costs connected with obtaining certification. The programme does not restrict these costs to a narrow list: meeting expenses, personnel costs, equipment, and other relevant expenses may be included. As a general rule, grantees must submit their certification application to the competent prefectural or designated city authority by 31 March 2028. Applications received by that authority between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2028 are covered by the programme. Applicants must be legally established NPO corporations working in the social welfare field in Japan. They must plan to obtain certified or special certified NPO status and be able to use the Graain online application system. Organisations that submitted a certification application on or after 1 April 2026 may also apply, including those that have already obtained certification. Applicants should check the full programme guidelines for all conditions. Preparing for NPO certification can require staff time, meetings, documents, equipment, and organisational planning. This grant gives social welfare NPOs flexibility to cover costs directly related to that process. Selection also considers an organisation’s track record, future potential, progress towards certification, and plans for using certified status. The recommender should be someone familiar with and supportive of the organisation’s activities, such as a local social welfare council, municipal welfare office, or volunteer centre. A person or organisation receiving project expenditure, or another interested party, cannot serve as the recommender. A selection committee is expected to review applications in December 2026. The foundation may conduct a telephone or online interview or a site visit if needed. Applicants will be notified of the result after selection through the email address registered with their Graain account. Who can apply? Legally established NPO corporations working in social welfare in Japan and planning to obtain certified or special certified NPO status. Does special certified NPO status qualify? Yes. The programme’s definition of certification includes special certification. How much is the grant? ¥300,000 per organisation, from a total programme budget of ¥3 million. Are eligible expenses restricted? Costs must relate to obtaining certification, but the programme allows a broad range of uses, including meetings, personnel, and equipment. Can an organisation that has already applied for certification qualify? Yes, if its certification application was received by the competent authority on or after 1 April 2026, subject to the full programme conditions. Organisations already certified may also qualify under this provision. When must the certification application be made? As a general rule, it must be submitted to the competent authority by 31 March 2028. What is the grant application deadline?

9 October 2026 at 5: 00 p.m. Applications are submitted electronically through Graain.

This grant offers ¥300,000 to help eligible social welfare NPOs across Japan prepare for or complete the certification process. Applicants should review the official guidelines, secure an eligible recommender, gather the required documents, and submit through Graain before 5:00 p.m. on 9 October 2026.