Published March 4, 2025

LOS ANGELES, March 4, 2025 – Keiro announced the recipients of its 2025 Grants Program cycle, awarding $300,000 in funds to support 39 nonprofit organizations. This year, emphasis was placed on program development, capacity building, and core operation support focused on enhancing at least one of the following quality of life elements, as defined by Keiro—health and wellness, purpose, connectedness, security, and autonomy.

“Connectedness was the most common element addressed by the grant recipients. Bringing older adults and caregivers together on a regular basis, whether through lunch programs, choir practices, field trips, or other engaging activities, improves their physical and mental health, sense of purpose, and feelings of security and autonomy,” said Beverly Ito, president and CEO of Keiro. “We remain incredibly grateful for the ongoing work of these community organizations to enhance the quality of senior life across Our Community.”

Since its inception in 2016, the Keiro Grants Program has provided over $3 million in grant funding to more than 80 qualified nonprofit, community-based organizations that serve the Japanese American and Japanese older adult and caregiver populations in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties. An independent review committee, composed of community members with diverse backgrounds, careers, and community involvement, evaluated the proposals and recommended funding for the organizations. This year, the committee members were Sarah Fukui, Alan Kita, Nancy Okubo, Susan Uchiyama, Wade Utsunomiya, and Stacey Yoshinaga.

“It was an honor to review the Keiro Grants Program applications, each illuminating the changing needs of our aging Japanese American community. I am grateful for the wonderful discussions shared among the dedicated committee members as we came to our recommendations,” said Alan Kita, Keiro Grants Review Committee member. “These grant applications and projects provide Keiro with further insight on the evolving priorities of serving our elders. Keiro is a living treasure and the perfect means to respect and appreciate the seniors in the community.”

For more information on the Keiro Grants Program and recipients, please visit our website: https://www.keiro.org/what-we-do/grants-program

For this year’s grants recipients, visit https://www.keiro.org/features/2025-grant-recipients.

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About Keiro

Founded in 1961, Keiro improves the quality of life for older adults and their caregivers in the Japanese American community of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties. Keiro provides a range of culturally-sensitive programs and resources, in both English and Japanese, to meet the evolving needs of our aging community. In everything we do, we advance our mission through a person-centered, innovative, and collaborative approach. To learn more, visit keiro.org.