Henri & Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 94-2977890
• Annual Giving: $3,207,913 (2022)
• Total Assets: $50,005,834
• Grant Range: Average $152,758 per grant (21 awards in 2022)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months (applications July-August, decisions by December)
• Geographic Focus: National (emphasis on California, New York, Washington)
• Application Window: July 1 - August 31 annually

Contact Details

Address: 1770 Post Street #196, San Francisco, CA 94115

Email: TakahashiFoundation@marincf.org (administered through Marin Community Foundation)

Alternate Email: TakahashiFoundation@gmail.com

Website: www.takahashifoundation.org

Overview

The Henri & Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation was established in 1986 by Henri and Tomoye Takahashi, along with Tomoye's sister, Martha Masako Suzuki. All three founders were incarcerated at the Topaz, Utah concentration camp during World War II solely because of their Japanese ancestry. After the war, they returned to San Francisco and founded the Takahashi Trading Company, importing finely crafted home goods from Japan. The foundation emerged from their determination to build friendship and goodwill for Japanese Americans and improve understanding with Japan.

With assets exceeding $50 million and annual grant distributions over $3.2 million, the foundation has become a philanthropic leader in the Japanese American community. The foundation's mission focuses on supporting the legacy of Japanese Americans and fostering friendly relations with Japan through cultural and educational projects. It particularly emphasizes encouraging the telling of Japanese American history as told by Japanese Americans themselves, with special attention to survivors and descendants of WWII incarceration speaking for themselves without censure. In 2024, the foundation made headlines with a landmark $4.2 million gift to San Francisco State University to establish the first endowed chair in the university's College of Ethnic Studies - the Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Distinguished Chair in Nikkei Studies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single annual grant program with applications accepted between July 1 and August 31. The foundation meets in the fall to review applications, with grants announced by December 31. Based on 2022 data, the foundation distributed 21 awards totaling $3,207,913, with an average grant size of approximately $152,758. Recent years show: 15 awards in 2021 and 13 awards in 2020.

Priority Areas

Japanese American Community Support:

• Cultural preservation and celebration of Japanese American heritage
• Arts and educational programs serving Japanese Americans
• Japanese American history documentation and storytelling
• Projects centering survivors and descendants of WWII incarceration

US-Japan Cultural Relations:

• Programs promoting understanding of Japanese culture, history, and arts
• Educational initiatives fostering US-Japan friendship
• Cultural exchange projects

Documentary Films and Media:

• Japanese American historical documentaries (post-production or further stages must have full-length rough or fine cut)
• Media projects must include a maximum 15-minute sample
• Example: $75,000 grant to Japanese American National Museum for "Noboku Miyamoto: Not Yo' Butterfly"

Major Institutional Support:

• Asian Art Museum
• Japanese American Cultural Center of Northern California
• Japanese American National Museum
• University endowments for Japanese American/Nikkei Studies

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's eligibility requirements effectively exclude:

• Projects that do not promote the Japanese American community or Japanese culture, history, and arts
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsor
• Funding for capital campaigns, endowments (except in rare cases like the SFSU chair), or general operating support appears limited based on their program-focused mission

Governance and Leadership

President: Masako Takahashi (uncompensated) - A Sansei visual artist born in Utah's Topaz Concentration Camp during World War II, Masako is the daughter of founders Henri and Tomoye Takahashi. She leads the foundation's mission to preserve Japanese American cultural heritage.

Secretary: Jacqueline Moy (compensation: $5,495)

Foundation Founders: Henri Takahashi (1914-2002) and Tomoye Takahashi (1915-2016) established the foundation in 1986 with Tomoye's sister, Martha Masako Suzuki. After Henri's passing, both Tomoye Takahashi and Martha Suzuki were awarded Japan's highest honor, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in 2010 for their contributions to promoting Japanese culture, history, and arts in the United States and strengthening US-Japan relations.

The foundation partners with Marin Community Foundation to administer its grant program, leveraging their administrative expertise while maintaining focus on the foundation's mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation operates on an annual application cycle. Applications are accepted between July 1 and August 31 each year.

Submission: Send applications to TakahashiFoundation@marincf.org (the foundation partners with Marin Community Foundation for grant administration)

Eligibility Requirements:

• All projects must promote the Japanese American community or the culture, history, and the arts of Japan
• All projects must possess either a 501(c)(3) designation or work with a fiscal sponsor
• Organizations or fiscal sponsors must provide mailing address and contact information

Special Requirements for Film/Media Projects:

• All film/media projects in post-production phase or further must have a full-length rough or fine cut to be considered
• All film/media projects must include a maximum 15-minute sample of the project being submitted (exception: post-production projects require a rough cut)

Important Note: Funding from the Takahashi Foundation is limited to programs and activities.

Decision Timeline

• Application Window: July 1 - August 31
• Review Period: Fall (September - November)
• Grant Announcements: By December 31
• Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from application deadline to notification

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, based on the foundation's 2022 distribution of 21 awards totaling $3,207,913, the foundation appears to make selective, substantial grants rather than numerous small awards. The average grant size of approximately $152,758 suggests the foundation focuses on significant, impactful projects.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has not publicly disclosed a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Prospective applicants may contact TakahashiFoundation@marincf.org to inquire about reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Core Mission

Projects must demonstrate clear alignment with supporting the Japanese American community or fostering friendly US-Japan cultural relations. The foundation particularly values projects that:

• Center Japanese American Voices: The foundation explicitly states it "encourages the telling of Japanese American history as told by Japanese Americans" and "hopes to help expand understanding of the Japanese American experience by encouraging the survivors and descendants of WWII incarceration to speak for themselves without censure."

• Preserve Cultural Heritage: As stated in their mission, the foundation focuses on "preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Japanese American community, with an emphasis on the arts and education."

Quality and Readiness

For film and media projects, the foundation requires demonstrated progress:

• Post-production projects must have a full-length rough or fine cut
• All media projects must provide a 15-minute sample demonstrating quality and direction

Historical Context

Understanding the foundation's roots is crucial. All three founders were incarcerated at Topaz during WWII, and "after the war the family returned to San Francisco, determined to help build friendship and good will for Japanese Americans and to improve understanding with Japan." Projects that honor this legacy and contribute to reconciliation, understanding, and cultural preservation align strongly with the foundation's values.

Track Record and Institutional Credibility

The foundation has supported major institutions like the Asian Art Museum, Japanese American National Museum, and made a landmark $4.2 million gift to establish San Francisco State University's first endowed chair in their College of Ethnic Studies. This suggests they value organizations with established track records and significant community impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Annual cycle only: Mark your calendar for the July 1 - August 31 application window; this is the only opportunity each year
• Mission alignment is paramount: Projects must clearly promote the Japanese American community or Japanese culture, history, and arts - this is non-negotiable
• Japanese American storytelling matters: The foundation specifically values projects that allow Japanese Americans to tell their own stories, particularly survivors and descendants of WWII incarceration
• Substantial grants for substantial projects: With an average grant of ~$152,758, the foundation supports significant initiatives - ensure your project scale and budget align with this funding level
• Film projects need proof of progress: Don't apply for documentary or media projects in early stages; you must have a rough or fine cut and be able to provide a 15-minute sample
• Be patient with decisions: Expect a 3-4 month timeline from the August 31 deadline to December 31 announcement
• Fiscal sponsorship is accepted: If you don't have 501(c)(3) status, partnering with a fiscal sponsor makes you eligible

References

• Henri & Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation website: https://www.takahashifoundation.org/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Foundation application information: https://www.takahashifoundation.org/faq (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Foundation about page: https://www.takahashifoundation.org/about (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Henri & Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/942977890 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Cause IQ Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/henri-tomoye-takahashi-charitable-foundation,942977890/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• "Philanthropist Tomoye Takahashi Dies at 100," Discover Nikkei, June 16, 2016: https://discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2016/6/16/tomoye-takahashi/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• "SF State establishes Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Distinguished Endowed Chair in Nikkei Studies with landmark gift," SF State News, May 2024: https://news.sfsu.edu/news/sf-state-establishes-henri-and-tomoye-takahashi-distinguished-endowed-chair-nikkei-studies (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• "JANM Receives Over $5.4 Million in Major Foundation, Corporate, and Government Support in 2022," Japanese American National Museum: https://www.janm.org/democracy/press/release/janm-receives-over-54-million-major-foundation-corporate-and-government-support-2022 (Accessed March 3, 2026)