Ja Community Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Ja Community Foundation is a private foundation in Oakland, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $386,120 in 26 grants; the typical grant was $13,750 and the largest $50,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$386,120
- Number of grants26
- Typical grant$13,750
- Largest grant$50,000
- Assets$11,770
- New grantees96%
Giving in 2025 was up from $345,876 the year before.
96% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $400,000 | 34 | $929,325 |
| 2024 | $345,876 | 22 | $457,136 |
| 2025 | $386,120 | 26 | $11,770 |
How to apply
Ja Community Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Ja Community Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 11 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 15 | $250,620 |
| Utah | 2 | $35,000 |
| New Mexico | 1 | $20,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $15,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $15,000 |
| Washington | 1 | $15,000 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $10,000 |
| Arizona | 1 | $8,000 |
| Missouri | 1 | $7,500 |
| Idaho | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Jacl | Community outreach | $50,000 |
| Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages | Community outreach | $25,000 |
| J-Sei Inc | Community outreach | $25,000 |
| Topaz Museum | Community outreach | $25,000 |
| San Joaquin County Historical Society | Community outreach | $25,000 |
| Central California Nikkei Foundation | Community outreach | $20,000 |
| New Mexico Jacl | Community outreach | $20,000 |
| Jacl - Marysville Chapter | Community outreach | $20,000 |
| Jan Ken PO Gakko | Community outreach | $15,000 |
| Nikkei Heritage Association of Washington | Community outreach | $15,000 |
| Genryu Arts | Community outreach | $15,000 |
| Cjahs | Community outreach | $15,000 |
| Collaborative Cataloging Japan | Community outreach | $15,000 |
| San Diego Chapter Jacl | Community outreach | $12,500 |
| Asian Cultural Experience of Salinas | Community outreach | $12,000 |
| Nisei Veterans Memorial Center | Community outreach | $10,000 |
| Nisei Baseball Research Project | Community outreach | $10,000 |
| Jacl - Mt Olympus Chapter | Community outreach | $10,000 |
| Jacl- Arizona Chapter | Community outreach | $8,000 |
| St Louis Jacl | Community outreach | $7,500 |
| Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition | Community outreach | $6,000 |
| Jahssd | Community outreach | $5,120 |
| Friends of Minidoka | Community outreach | $5,000 |
| Japanese American Museum of Oregon | Community outreach | $5,000 |
| Poston Community Alliance | Community outreach | $5,000 |
| Zentoku Foundation | Community outreach | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Carole Yamakoshi
- Doug Urata
- Edward Oda
- Gayle Kono
- Gregory Mukai
- James Oshima
- Peter Nakaso
- Stephen Divizich
- Carole Nishita
Questions people ask
Does Ja Community Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Ja Community Foundation give?
$386,120 in tax year 2025, across 26 grants, with a typical grant of $13,750.
Who runs Ja Community Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Carole Yamakoshi (Vice-President & Director), Doug Urata (President & Director), Edward Oda (Director) and Gayle Kono (Director) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does Ja Community Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture.