In 2016, Keiro launched its Grants Program to provide funding to qualified nonprofit, community-based organizations that serve the Japanese American and Japanese older adult population. The program focuses on reducing social isolation, and invest in projects that create a positive impact on quality of life for our aging community and their caregivers.
Keiro’s grantmaking consists of more than funding bento deliveries, supporting transportation, or purchasing new audio equipment for a community center—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 methods that are unique and specific to each constituency. With each bento comes an opportunity to socialize and to enjoy 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. New equipment can help those with hearing impairments enjoy and share the experiences with the rest of the group. Behind each grant are deeper experiences detailing how older adults and their caregivers are impacted. With more than 70 organizations receiving support from Keiro, there are countless solutions to be found and stories to be told.
Read about our Grant Recipients
The Grant Application timeline for Keiro’s 2022-2023 Grant Cycle is now closed.
Announcements of the results for this cycle will take place by March of 2023.
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
It’s helpful just to see how everyone else is doing and what they are going through so you know you’re not alone. You can empathize with each other, it’s really tough.
Donna participant in LA Holiness Church’s Caregiver Support Group
I’m most excited about simply meeting their needs. There was one lady last Monday who came up and thanked us for having this hangout. She said, ‘for three hours, I come here and I just get to forget about all of my problems.’ The grant got the whole congregation excited but for me, just getting them out of the house and socializing, that’s what means the most to me.
Joanne Sato Faith United Methodist Church, Lay Leader of Senior Ministries
Since [Go For Broke] changed to the bigger bus from the old passenger van where people had to crawl over chairs, it’s been very helpful and I like it.
Scott Takahashi participant in Go For Broke National Education Center’s monthly meetings