Grants Program

Since 2016, the Keiro Grants Program has been one of several key strategies to support the evolving needs of older adults and their caregivers, including increasing accessibility to programs and services within local communities. Keiro supports the efforts of other organizations and agencies working in alignment with our mission and goals, within our service area, to enhance the quality of senior life in Our Community.

a woman in pink and a woman in blue talking

It takes a community to care for our older adults. Keiro’s funding is based on the premise and understanding that we cannot achieve our mission alone. The grants program focuses on supporting accessible programs that improve the quality of life for older adults and caregivers in the Japanese American and Japanese-speaking community.

Keiro’s grantmaking consists of more than purchasing supplies for bentos, supporting transportation, or funding choral groups. The true impact of Keiro’s Grants Program lies in how these numerous organizations help enhance the quality of life for older adults and their caregivers with projects and practices that are unique to each constituency. With each bento comes an opportunity to socialize while enjoying a healthy meal.

Every event that an older adult is able to attend as a result of transportation assistance helps decrease their risk of social isolation. Each choir practice is a chance for older adults to gather, exercise their creative muscles, and prepare to share their talents with the community. And behind every grant is a deeper experience detailing how older adults and their caregivers are impacted. With over 70 organizations receiving support from Keiro to date, there are countless solutions to be found and stories to be told.

Read about our Grant Recipients

Applying for the Grants Program

The submission period for the 2025 Grants Cycle is now open. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. PDT on Friday, September 6, 2024.

Grant awards will be announced by February 2025.

Grant Application Details

Grant Workshops

Keiro will be offering two, one-hour informational online workshops to discuss eligibility requirements, program goals, the application process, and changes to the 2025 grants program. Registration is required to attend a workshop and can be completed here.

Workshops are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, July 25 | 10:00 a.m.
Monday, July 29 | 2:00 p.m.*

*Denotes that the workshop will be offered in Japanese and English

Sign-Up for Grant Workshop

Grant Recipients’ Voices

“The seniors are so grateful. They keep repeating, ‘thank you so much, I’m enjoying the meal.’ And they enjoy the time. We have some participants who don’t get any visitors and so this is an opportunity for them to spend some time with someone to just talk about their daily life.”
Amy Iwamasa Volunteer Coordinator for OCBC’s Tomodachi Bento Project

“We really appreciate Keiro’s programming and what they do for us. We’re a small mom-and-pop organization but their impact is so huge. I can’t say enough about their mission and their goals.”
Sue Kawasaki President of Continuing Education for Nikkei Widowed, Inc.

“I give credit to the grant application process that prompted us to find out why we have lost contact with some of our members who were no longer coming to church or events. The Keiro grant really helped us focus on older adults who were missing in action, with whom we have lost contact. Most have very good reasons (physical issues, no longer drive, living in a care facility, etc).”
Dorothy Kirkland First Presbyterian Church, Altadena Project leader for Otomodachi Outreach

“It was a privilege for me to be able to serve on the committee. During the review process, we saw so many community partners in the three service counties who are working to ensure the overall health (physical, mental, emotional) of older adults. Since these organizations know their members best, they have designed programs that cater to their group with care and empathy. They work hard to ensure that the older adults and caregivers of our communities can maintain a good quality of life, and be able to enjoy what our community has to give.”
Nancy Okubo Grants Review Committee

Grants Photos