United States - Japan Foundation
The United States-Japan Foundation is a private foundation based in Washington, DC. It supports projects that strengthen U.S.-Japan relations and understanding and help the two countries address shared challenges.
United States - Japan Foundation at a glance
In short: United States - Japan Foundation gave $2.0M across 72 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), top state District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,970,599
- +303.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 72
- +620.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,369
- -44.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $19,022
- Total assets
- $102,425,848
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (24% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to United States - Japan Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Submit an LOI through the grants process; applicants invited to the next stage submit a full proposal.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 fourth-quarter LOI deadline is December 4, 2026. The Foundation operates a quarterly cycle and says it may consider time-sensitive proposals on an expedited basis when applicants provide a desired decision deadline and a detailed rationale.
- Deadline
- The 2026 fourth-quarter LOI deadline is December 4, 2026.
- Contact
Application contact: United States-Japan Foundation
Mailing address: 1816 Jefferson Place Nw, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (212) 481-8753
Email: programs@us-jf.org
Website: https://www.us-jf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from United States - Japan Foundation
Communication and Public Opinion Grant
United States - Japan Foundation
Amount
Up to ¥1,900,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant
United States - Japan Foundation
Amount
Up to US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Japanese-Language Education Project Grant
United States - Japan Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who United States - Japan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Center for International Private Enterprise Inc ($100K). Together the top 10 received $771K.
Grant Size Distribution
131 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 85 grants of 131 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grantmaking centers on U.S.-Japan relations and shared challenges. In 2024, recipient grant dollars included 24% for organizations in Washington, DC, 13% in New York, 12% in California, and 10% in Massachusetts. The filing also reports a 29% share for an unidentified state entry.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 72 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How United States - Japan Foundation gives
- Giving grew 37% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 85% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $135K (2020) to $2.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 72 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for International Private Enterprise Inc Wahington, DC | Supporting further cooperation between japanese and American business leaders japan to advocate for rules and standards that uphold the international rules-based order | $99,785 |
| Vivarsity | Supporting a scholarship program for women immigrants and refugees in japan | $84,080 |
| The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science | Coral conservation together - a us/japan steam education program | $82,643 |
| PRX Inc Cambridge, MA | Supporting dedicated news coverage of japan, as well as development of a global classroom run by "the world" news team | $80,000 |
| Maureen & Mike Mansfield Foundation Washington, DC | Supporting a multinational team from japan, the republic of korea, and the united states to discuss how the three nations can jointly amplify the voices of women in democratic governance | $70,000 |
| Volunteers in Asia (DBA via) Palo Alto, CA | Supporting a seven-month cultural exchange and social impact leadership development program for female high school students in the U.S. and japan | $69,228 |
| International Center for Not-for-Profit Law Inc Wahington, DC | Supporting a project to conduct an analysis of japans legal framework for non-profit organizations in order to facilitate U.S.-japan philanthropic collaboration | $68,143 |
| The Film Collaborative Inc Los Angeles, CA | Supporting the Documentary Feature Film, "Row Don't Drift | $66,500 |
| Together for Girls Inc Wahington, DC | Supporting research to compare laws against child sexual abuse in japan and the other g7 countries | $65,900 |
| International House of Japan | Supporting the policy entrepreneurs platform project to advance non-profit startups in japan | $62,816 |
Ready to take the next step with United States - Japan Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $102,425,848 | $2,473,764 | $5,161,530 | $1,970,599 | 72 | $4,247,831 | $2,243,590 | $4,986,129 |
| 2023 | $97,662,123 | $3,465,780 | $4,043,475 | $488,304 | 10 | $3,120,531 | $3,189,413 | $4,479,735 |
| 2022 | $88,607,675 | $2,372,982 | $4,446,786 | $863,481 | 16 | $3,309,047 | $2,161,389 | $4,793,705 |
| 2021 | $106,169,200 | $4,759,214 | $4,708,365 | $1,440,605 | 29 | $3,971,400 | $4,107,709 | $5,008,071 |
| 2020 | $98,314,110 | $7,041,078 | $3,100,394 | $135,199 | 4 | — | $6,706,591 | $4,378,139 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, United States - Japan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s grants program aims to help people and organizations confront shared challenges and identify ways for the United States and Japan to work together. Its stated interests include projects that enhance bilateral relations and understanding or address challenges facing both nations. The Foundation describes support for pre-college education projects, including teacher development, curriculum materials, connections between schools and classrooms, and Japanese-language instruction. It also considers communication and public-opinion projects, including media, exchanges, and cultural activities.
The 2024 grants show support for work in areas such as business cooperation, education, women’s leadership, nonprofit-sector development, child protection research, and documentary film. Among the recipients, PRX describes its mission as expanding public media as a trusted source of knowledge, information, and inspiration. The Film Collaborative says it provides independent filmmakers with educational materials and services such as fiscal sponsorship, distribution, and impact marketing. Together for Girls describes its aim as ending violence against children and women. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation awarded $1,970,599 through 72 grants. Awards ranged from $810 to $99,785, with a median of $19,022. Notable grants included $99,785 to the Center for International Private Enterprise for cooperation between Japanese and American business leaders; $84,080 to Vivarsity for scholarships for women immigrants and refugees in Japan; and $82,643 to the University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science for a U.S.-Japan STEAM education program focused on coral conservation. Other grants included $80,000 to PRX for Japan news coverage and a global classroom, $70,000 to the Maureen & Mike Mansfield Foundation for work on women’s participation in democratic governance, and $65,900 to Together for Girls for research comparing laws against child sexual abuse.
The Foundation’s application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) describing project goals and their relevance to U.S.-Japan relations or shared challenges. Selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal; uninvited proposals are not considered. The Foundation says applicants will be notified of their status within six weeks of the LOI deadline. Full proposals must be in English, follow its required format, and have a narrative of approximately 4,000 words or less. Grants are limited to organizations with nonprofit status and may not support lobbying or election to public office. The Foundation generally allows indirect costs of up to 20% of total direct project costs for eligible project grants, included within the requested grant amount; some types of grants and organizations are handled separately.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jacob M. Schlesinger as President and CEO and Lawrence K. Fish as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Wendy Cutler is listed as Vice Chairman. Other listed trustees are Richard E. Dyck, Colleen Hanabusa, Craig Mullaney, Santa Ono, Donna Tanoue, Kohei Itoh, and James Kondo.
United States - Japan Foundation is led by Jacob M. Schlesinger, President & CEO on every filing since 2023; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jacob M. Schlesinger
President & CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$184K (2023) → $284K (2024)
Lawrence K. Fish
Board of Trustees Chairman
Trustee → Board of Trustees Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard E. Dyck
Board of Trustees
Trustee → Director, 2022
Director → Board of Trustees, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Cutler
Board of Trustees Vice Chairman
Vice President → Board of Trustees, 2023
Board of Trustees → Board of Trustees Vice Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Colleen Hanabusa
Board of Trustees
Trustee → Board of Trustees, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Mullaney
Board of Trustees
Trustee → Board of Trustees, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna Tanoue
Board of Trustees
Trustee → Board of Trustees, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James M. Kondo
Board of Trustees
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keiko Tashiro
Board of Trustees
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kohei Itoh
Board of Trustees
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Santa Ono
Board of Trustees
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Richard J. Samuels (2020–2023) — Board of Trustees
- Former: Takeshi Ueshima (2020–2023) — Board of Trustees
- Former: Takeshi Niinami (2023) — Board of Trustees Vice Chairman
- Former: Akinari Horii (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: James T. Ulak (2020–2022) — President
- Former: James W. Lintott (2020–2022) — Past Chairman
- Former: Tak Niinami (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Yukako Uchinaga (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Yuko Kawamoto (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Akihiko Tanaka (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Caroline B. Kennedy (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Maria Manapat-Sims (2020–2021) — Former Assistant Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Satoru Murase (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $284K, to Jacob M Schlesinger (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about United States - Japan Foundation
How much does United States - Japan Foundation give each year?
United States - Japan Foundation gave $2.0M across 72 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $488K across 10 grants.
What is United States - Japan Foundation's typical grant size?
United States - Japan Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $19,022, and its average grant was $27,369, across 72 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does United States - Japan Foundation give grants?
United States - Japan Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (13%) and California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wahington, DC (6 grants), Washington, DC (6 grants), New York, NY (5 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (3 grants).
Does United States - Japan Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 72 grants with a stated purpose on United States - Japan Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are United States - Japan Foundation's largest grantees?
United States - Japan Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Center for International Private Enterprise Inc ($99,785), The Film Collaborative Inc ($86,500 across 2 grants) and Vivarsity ($84,080), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is United States - Japan Foundation?
United States - Japan Foundation reported $102.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does United States - Japan Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s grants program aims to help people and organizations confront shared challenges and identify ways for the United States and Japan to work together. Its stated interests include projects that enhance bilateral relations and understanding or address challenges facing both nations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United States - Japan Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United States - Japan Foundation's EIN?
United States - Japan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3054425. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does United States - Japan Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work United States - Japan Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United States - Japan Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United States - Japan Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-states-japan-foundation-morg_2a85299896c44b7f869e1e9af929f6d8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133054425_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United States - Japan Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-states-japan-foundation-morg_2a85299896c44b7f869e1e9af929f6d8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from United States - Japan Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
United States - Japan Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?