The Marubeni Foundation (President: Masumi Kakinoki; hereinafter, “Marubeni Foundation”) will begin to accept applications for Marubeni Foundation grants for social welfare initiatives to a total of 300 million yen from May 1, 2024.
*Eligibility: Japan-based projects by private organizations engaged in social welfare activities. For more details, see the following: https://www.marubeni.com/jp/news/2024/release/data/20240409_kikin.pdf (in Japanese only)

Marubeni Foundation was established as a private sector social welfare grant-awarding organization in 1974, utilizing contributions from Marubeni Corporation (hereinafter, “Marubeni”), and will commemorate the 50th anniversary of its establishment this year. Since 1975, Marubeni Foundation has continued to provide grants to facilities and organizations engaged in social welfare activities throughout Japan to an annual total of 100 million yen (total of 2,896 social welfare initiatives, amounting to a total of 4.95 billion yen awarded to date).

Reflecting the social circumstances of today’s world, grant recipients include a wide range of facilities and organizations engaged with persons with disabilities, children and youth, and the elderly; organizations engaged in support for individuals who have become socially withdrawn, the protection of women, and aiding those facing economic uncertainties; and children’s cafeterias in local communities (facilities that provide meals for children and others for free or at a reduced price), food banks, and initiatives for the development and improvement of local communities. Special consideration is given to projects which are outside the general scope of governmental reach, or to unique and pioneering projects which are expected to have a ripple effect on the enhancement of social welfare, while leveraging the unique benefits of these being private sector funds.

In consideration of the year-on-year increase in the number of grant applications and a desire to further respond to such social needs in any way possible, Marubeni and Marubeni Foundation decided to expand grant amounts from 100 million yen to 300 million yen starting this year, to coincide with the landmark 50th anniversary of Marubeni Foundation. The maximum grant amount per project will also be increased from 2 million yen to 3 million yen.

Financing for Marubeni Foundation grants is primarily handled through a cooperative framework between individuals and Marubeni. The funding is comprised of financial contributions from Marubeni and income from asset management; donations by individuals to the 100 Yen Club, a fundraising organization with a voluntary membership comprised of Marubeni and Marubeni Group executives, employees, and alumni, whose donations are then matched by Marubeni; and admission fees from the Marubeni Gallery. The Marubeni Group and Marubeni Foundation will continue to actively award grants with the aim of realizing a society which embodies the idea that “where there are people, there are dreams.”

Marubeni Foundation video:

Marubeni Foundation website (in Japanese only): https://www.marubeni.or.jp/