RFAs: NPO Foundation Grants to Strengthen Organizational and Business Activities (Japan)

Deadline: 09-Oct-2026

The SOMPO Welfare Foundation NPO Foundation Strengthening Grant provides funding to NPOs and social welfare corporations in East Japan for projects that strengthen organizational foundations and improve social welfare activities. The programme is offered by the SOMPO Welfare Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation that supports the improvement of welfare and culture in Japan. Its grantmaking particularly supports organisations serving children and adults with disabilities and elderly people. Eligible organisations can receive up to ¥700,000 per organisation for projects that strengthen their organisational infrastructure and enhance their social welfare activities.

About the SOMPO Welfare Foundation

The SOMPO Welfare Foundation works to contribute to improvements in welfare and culture in Japan. Through its grant programmes, the foundation supports organisations working in social welfare, with particular attention to initiatives benefiting: - Children with disabilities. - Adults with disabilities. - Elderly people. - Other communities served through social welfare activities. The NPO Foundation Strengthening Grant focuses specifically on helping eligible organisations improve their organisational foundations while strengthening their ongoing business and welfare activities. Purpose of the NPO Foundation Strengthening Grant The grant is designed to support projects that reinforce an organisation’s internal foundation and operational capacity. Funding can help organisations improve the way they deliver social welfare activities and address issues affecting their local communities. Priority is given to projects that can demonstrate a significant contribution to: - Strengthening the organisation’s foundation. - Improving social welfare activities. - Solving local issues. - Developing innovative approaches. - Building collaboration. - Creating potential for broader regional impact. Funding Available The maximum grant is ¥700,000 per organisation. The total amount available under the programme is ¥10 million. Organisations should request an amount that is appropriate for the proposed project and clearly demonstrate how the funding will strengthen their organisational foundation or social welfare activities. Project Completion Requirement Supported projects must be completed by the end of March 2028. Applicants should therefore develop a realistic project plan that allows all proposed activities to be completed within the required period. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants must meet both organisational and geographic requirements.

Applicants must be:

- A specified non-profit organization (NPO). - A social welfare corporation. The organisation must also be located in one of the specified prefectures in East Japan. Geographic Eligibility The programme is specifically intended for eligible organisations located in East Japan. Applicants must be based in one of the prefectures specified under the grant programme. Organisations should confirm that their location falls within the eligible East Japan area before applying. What Types of Projects Are Supported? Projects must focus on social welfare activities. The grant is particularly suitable for initiatives that simultaneously strengthen the organisation and improve its ability to deliver social welfare services or activities. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed expenditure and the organisation’s social welfare work. Eligible Personnel Costs Personnel costs can be included in a grant budget, but they are subject to a specific limit. Personnel costs can account for up to 30% of the grant. Applicants should ensure that personnel expenditure remains within this limit when preparing their project budget. Other Eligible Expenses The grant can support a range of expenses directly connected to the proposed project.

Eligible costs may include:

- Property-related costs. - Consulting fees. - Equipment purchases. - Meeting expenses. - Transportation. - Printing. - Construction costs directly related to the proposed project. - Renovation costs directly related to the proposed project. - Personnel costs, within the applicable 30% limit. The key requirement is that expenses should be directly related to the proposed grant project. Property and Facility-Related Costs Property-related expenses can be eligible where they are directly connected to the proposed project. The programme can also support certain construction or renovation costs when they are directly related to the project being funded. Applicants should clearly explain why the property, construction, or renovation expense is necessary to strengthen the organisation or improve its social welfare activities. Consulting and Professional Support Consulting fees can be included where they are directly connected to the proposed project. Such costs may be particularly relevant where an organisation needs specialist support to strengthen its organisational foundation or improve the implementation of its social welfare activities. Equipment Purchases Equipment purchases are eligible where they are directly related to the proposed project. Applicants should explain how the equipment will contribute to strengthening the organisation or improving its social welfare activities. Meetings, Transportation and Printing The grant can also cover eligible project-related operational expenses such as: - Meeting expenses. - Transportation costs. - Printing costs. These expenses should have a direct connection to the activities included in the grant proposal. Ineligible Expenses Certain expenses are excluded from the grant.

The programme does not support:

- Costs unrelated to the grant project. - Daily maintenance expenses. - Office rent. - Utilities. - Vehicle purchases. Applicants should distinguish between ordinary organisational operating expenses and costs that are specifically required for the proposed project. Strengthening Organisational Foundations A c