Chigasaki 100-Year Fund Established: A Community Fund Creating Hope for the Next Century. Grant Applications to Open This Summer.

20 founders and 79 crowdfunding supporters. The first step of a community fund supporting the potential of the next generation.

The General Incorporated Association Chigasaki 100-Year Fund (located in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture) announces the establishment of the 'Chigasaki 100-Year Fund,' a community fund designed to continuously support the potential of the next generation living in the region. This follows a fundraising campaign that significantly exceeded its initial target of 10 million yen, collecting 16,245,000 yen in donations.

This fund was conceived with the vision of 'a town where the next generation can realize their dreams,' aiming to provide long-term support for children, young people, and activities that create the region's future.

Under a scheme where the General Incorporated Association Chigasaki 100-Year Fund handles fundraising and the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan Philanthropic Foundation manages the fund's establishment and operation, a website was launched on June 18, 2025, to begin community-based fundraising. The initial goal was set at 10 million yen, with a long-term target of 100 million yen in donations necessary to start fund management.

Subsequently, by the establishment deadline of March 31, 2026, the necessary conditions for the fund's creation were met, thanks to the support of 20 founders, 79 crowdfunding supporters, and many other citizens, businesses, and organizations.

The fund was finally established after receiving approval from the board of the Japan Philanthropic Foundation.

Towards a town where money circulates for activities that are 'not profitable but have social value'

A fund born from local voices

Chigasaki has a strong foundation of civic and community activities.

Many young people are interested in social issues and actively engage in activities.

Creating places for children, challenges for youth, welfare, education, culture, and community development.

There are numerous activities that hold genuine value for the local community.

However, many of these activities are not adequately funded.

'Profitability' and 'social value' do not always align.

Therefore, for Chigasaki to be 'a town where the next generation can realize their dreams,' a system is needed where local money healthily circulates towards socially valuable activities.

The Chigasaki 100-Year Fund aims to continuously utilize the 'town fund' collected through donations for activities that unlock the potential of the next generation.

Grant Theme: 'Potential of the Next Generation' – Towards a town where the next generation can realize their dreams

The Chigasaki 100-Year Fund supports the challenges of the next generation who will drive society forward from Chigasaki.

It will provide grants to activities that foster the leadership, citizenship, and other skills necessary for this purpose, contributing to the development of next-generation leaders. It will also support activities that underpin people's lives and education.

Supporting the next generation is an investment in the town's future.

Especially in Chigasaki, where civic activities are vibrant, this grant program is expected to help a diverse range of next-generation potential flourish, enriching the future of the town.

Main grant targets include the following initiatives:

[Supporting Next-Generation Challenges]
Initiatives that create an environment where children and young people can freely take on challenges and support their efforts to drive society forward from Chigasaki.

[Nurturing Next-Generation Leaders]
Initiatives that foster social awareness and leadership by learning about social issues and considering solutions, cultivating individuals who will build a sustainable society.

[Providing Diverse Experiences]
Initiatives that nurture the independence and communication skills of children and young people through diverse experiences.

[Cultivating Citizenship]
Initiatives that provide opportunities for children and young people to think about local issues and municipal administration, take ownership, and act, thereby fostering citizenship.

[Supporting the Next Generation in Difficult Circumstances]
Initiatives where the entire community watches over and supports children and young people in challenging environments, such as poverty, educational disparities, and social withdrawal.

The Japan Philanthropic Foundation manages the fund's establishment and operation, while the Chigasaki organization handles fundraising.

The 'Chigasaki 100-Year Fund' will be operated under a scheme where the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan Philanthropic Foundation is responsible for the fund's establishment and operation, and the community-based General Incorporated Association Chigasaki 100-Year Fund handles fundraising.

The Japan Philanthropic Foundation is a public interest incorporated foundation with a track record of establishing and operating over 30 funds, possessing expertise in grant-making and asset management.

Furthermore, donations of 500,000 yen or more to the 'Chigasaki 100-Year Fund' are made directly to the Japan Philanthropic Foundation, with the General Incorporated Association Chigasaki 100-Year Fund receiving no fees.

By introducing this scheme, a model has been created where people who wish to support their community can establish a sustainable community fund rooted in their region without having to set up a public interest incorporated foundation from scratch. If this challenge in Chigasaki succeeds, it holds the potential to be expanded to regions across the country.

Grants to begin this fiscal year. The next goal is total assets of 100 million yen. Towards a fund that will last for 100 years.

This achievement is a major step forward.

However, for the Chigasaki 100-Year Fund, this is just the starting point.

The next challenge is to reach total assets of 100 million yen.

By becoming a fund of this scale, we aim to create a 'sustainable community fund' from Chigasaki that will continuously support the next generation by starting asset management and utilizing the investment returns.

Starting this fiscal year, a portion of the collected funds will be used to provide grants for activities that unlock the potential of the next generation in the Chigasaki area (Chigasaki City and Samukawa Town). Details of the fund are scheduled to be announced around the summer of 2026. We will consider the fund's structure while listening to the needs of local organizations and build relationships to walk together towards the next 100 years.

Comment from the Representative Director

Kazuhiko Ikeda, Representative Director, General Incorporated Association Chigasaki 100-Year Fund

The total amount of donations collected by March 31st was 16,245,000 yen.

We are deeply grateful for the support that far exceeded our initial target of 10 million yen.

So many people took action not for themselves, but for someone else, for their community, for children and young people.

I believe this is a small beacon of hope in a society that is increasingly self-centered.

Over the past six months, together with my colleagues, we distributed over 3,000 flyers and met with people one by one to convey our vision. Soliciting large donations for a fund with no track record, no precedent, starting from zero, was by no means easy.

Nevertheless, there were people who believed in the future of Chigasaki.

There were people who believed in the potential of the next generation.

I feel renewed hope knowing that so many people empathize with and act upon the desire to 'create a town where money circulates more towards things of social value.'

A favorite saying of Chigasaki's great figure, Ken Kaiko, is:

'Even if the world were to end tomorrow, today you should plant an apple tree.'

Thanks to everyone involved in establishing the fund, today...