Dear Friend,

Welcome to the first edition of the USJF Quarterly Newsletter—a roundup of highlights from across our network. Each quarter, we’ll bring you updates on our activities and events from our Community News, announcements and network updates from the US-Japan Leadership Program, and extended profiles of our Grantees.
This issue also introduces a new feature, Trend & Trendsetters—a window into the evolving nonprofit and impact investing landscapes in both Japan and the United States.
Have something you’d like us to include? Feel free to get in touch with our team.

— USJF Communications Team

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In the Spotlight

Big League Giving, Local Impact: USJF and the Dodgers Invest in Japan’s Future with Targeted Philanthropy

The Dodgers are in Japan—and this time, they’re not just playing ball. They’ve teamed up with the United States–Japan Foundation to support youth-focused nonprofits doing extraordinary work throughout the country.

United States-Japan Leadership Program

We’re proud to announce the Class of 2025 Delegates to the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP)! These 43 rising leaders from the U.S. and Japan will join a vibrant network of changemakers committed to cross-cultural understanding, collaboration, and social impact. This year’s cohort will convene in Kyoto for a week of dialogue, connection, and discovery.

Read the Class of 2025 announcement

Community News

Our Community News section highlights events, announcements, and milestones from the USJF network. From recent grantee achievements to cross-border convening and sector updates, this is your monthly snapshot of activity across our community.

See all Community News

Jeffery Yabuki Appointed to USJF Board: Executive, Philanthropist, and Educator Joins Distinguished Global Foundation

Jeffery W. Yabuki, the former CEO of Fiserv Inc., has joined the United States-Japan Foundation Board of Trustees.

United States-Japan Foundation Announces First Round of 2025 Grantees

USJF is proud to announce its 2025 grantees, awarding funding to a wide range of organizations.

Grantee Profile

The Grantee Profile series showcases the people and organizations making a difference with support from USJF. These stories go beyond outputs—they highlight the motivations, challenges, and ambitions that drive our Grantees’ work.

See all Grantee Profiles

This month, we feature:

A Home Run for Cultural Diplomacy: Diamond Diplomacy and the USJF

Diamond Diplomacy, a documentary by Yuriko Gamo Romer on the history of Japanese players in American baseball.

Bridging Continents: How U.S. and Japanese Mentors Are Powering Africa’s Climate and Gender Solutions

AlphaMundi Foundation, connecting Japanese expertise and U.S. capital to support gender-focused entrepreneurship and climate solutions in Africa.

Trend & Trendsetters

Trend & Trendsetters is a new USJF blog series exploring how nonprofits and social finance are adapting to today’s challenges, especially in Japan. Each blog post offers a concise snapshot of change—short enough to digest quickly, but with links and resources for those who want to dig deeper.

See all Trend & Trendsetters

We’re launching the series with:

Giving in Japan Today and Tomorrow

A three-part miniseries on the future of philanthropy in Japan, commissioned by USJF from the Japan Fundraising Association, exploring opportunities and structural barriers in the Japanese giving landscape.

giving-in-japan-today-and-tomorrow-introduction

The Rise of Targeted Crowdfunding: Lessons from Nonprofits in Japan and the U.S.

A comparative feature on crowdfunding best practices in the U.S. and Japan, highlighting insights for nonprofit organizations, funders, and platforms.