Save Lives from Disasters, One Second Faster, One Person More! Government Crowdfunding (GCF) via Furusato Nozei Launched
Public Interest Incorporated Association Civic Force has launched a "Government Crowdfunding (GCF)" project utilizing the hometown tax donation system. This initiative aims to strengthen support systems to protect lives from frequent natural disasters, soliciting donations with a target of 1 million yen from May 1 to July 29, 2026.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 15:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 15:54 (22 min after Collected)
Public Interest Incorporated Association Civic Force (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / Saga City, Saga Prefecture; Representative Director: Kaori Negi) today, May 1st, launched a "Government Crowdfunding* (GCF)" project, a mechanism to solicit donations utilizing the hometown tax donation system. In preparation for the frequent natural disasters such as heavy rains and earthquakes in recent years, Civic Force, which has an office in Saga Prefecture, aims to strengthen its support system and save as many lives as possible during disasters.
The fundraising period is 90 days, from May 1 to July 29, 2026, with a target amount of 1 million yen.
*Government Crowd Funding (GCF) is a crowdfunding initiative undertaken by local governments to solve regional issues, utilizing the hometown tax donation system.
◆ Mechanism for donating through hometown tax
Saga Prefecture's hometown tax donation (support for NPOs, etc.) allows for donations specifically designated for Civic Force, which specializes in emergency disaster relief. 85% of the donated amount will be allocated to Civic Force. Similar to regular hometown tax donations, if within the deduction limit, donors can receive resident tax deductions and income tax refunds for the donated amount minus 2,000 yen, and also receive return gifts.
◆ Background of implementation
Last year, a forest fire occurred in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture in February, followed by heavy rains in Kyushu in August, a tornado in Shizuoka Prefecture in September, and another forest fire in Iwate Prefecture in April 2026, indicating frequent disasters across Japan. Furthermore, the government's Earthquake Research Committee announced last September that the probability of a Nankai Trough mega-earthquake occurring within 30 years is "60% to over 90%," urging preparations for a massive earthquake.
Civic Force participates in the "Flying Search and Medical Team 'ARROWS'" disaster emergency relief project, which rushes to large-scale disaster sites to conduct rescue and life-saving activities, and also engages in emergency relief, recovery and reconstruction support, and disaster prevention and mitigation activities. With a series of disasters occurring across various regions, the organization aims to accelerate its disaster prevention and mitigation efforts more than ever before.
◆ Project Overview
・Title: Save Lives from Disasters, One Second Faster, One Person More! Flying Search and Medical Team "ARROWS" 5th Project
・Project URL: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/5377
・Target amount: 1 million yen
・Fundraising period: May 1 to July 29, 2026
・Use of funds:
・Enhancement of personnel system and organizational foundation for the Flying Search and Medical Team
・Procurement of relief supplies and maintenance of storage warehouses
・Training with government agencies and corporations in anticipation of disasters
etc.
At the site of a forest fire disaster in April 2026 (Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture)
◆ Examples of return gifts
Arita ware, Kichiemon Pottery MOTIF Ground 18cm Rim Plate
Ariake no Kaze - First-picked roasted seaweed 5-bag set
Ureshino Tea PET bottle 280ml x 24 bottles
Imari Yamandori - Chicken flavor set
◆ About Public Interest Incorporated Association Civic Force
Civic Force was established in 2009 to respond to large-scale disasters in Japan and achieve rapid and effective support through collaboration among corporations, NPOs, and government agencies. From immediately after a disaster to recovery and reconstruction, they realize support tailored to the needs of affected areas by maximizing individual strengths. By connecting affected areas and sharing experiences and lessons learned, they support the creation of disaster-resilient communities.
Organization Name: Public Interest Incorporated Association Civic Force
Representative Director: Kaori Negi
Location: Tomigaya Ogawa Building 2F, 2-41-12 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://www.civic-force.org/about/index.html
The fundraising period is 90 days, from May 1 to July 29, 2026, with a target amount of 1 million yen.
*Government Crowd Funding (GCF) is a crowdfunding initiative undertaken by local governments to solve regional issues, utilizing the hometown tax donation system.
◆ Mechanism for donating through hometown tax
Saga Prefecture's hometown tax donation (support for NPOs, etc.) allows for donations specifically designated for Civic Force, which specializes in emergency disaster relief. 85% of the donated amount will be allocated to Civic Force. Similar to regular hometown tax donations, if within the deduction limit, donors can receive resident tax deductions and income tax refunds for the donated amount minus 2,000 yen, and also receive return gifts.
◆ Background of implementation
Last year, a forest fire occurred in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture in February, followed by heavy rains in Kyushu in August, a tornado in Shizuoka Prefecture in September, and another forest fire in Iwate Prefecture in April 2026, indicating frequent disasters across Japan. Furthermore, the government's Earthquake Research Committee announced last September that the probability of a Nankai Trough mega-earthquake occurring within 30 years is "60% to over 90%," urging preparations for a massive earthquake.
Civic Force participates in the "Flying Search and Medical Team 'ARROWS'" disaster emergency relief project, which rushes to large-scale disaster sites to conduct rescue and life-saving activities, and also engages in emergency relief, recovery and reconstruction support, and disaster prevention and mitigation activities. With a series of disasters occurring across various regions, the organization aims to accelerate its disaster prevention and mitigation efforts more than ever before.
◆ Project Overview
・Title: Save Lives from Disasters, One Second Faster, One Person More! Flying Search and Medical Team "ARROWS" 5th Project
・Project URL: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/5377
・Target amount: 1 million yen
・Fundraising period: May 1 to July 29, 2026
・Use of funds:
・Enhancement of personnel system and organizational foundation for the Flying Search and Medical Team
・Procurement of relief supplies and maintenance of storage warehouses
・Training with government agencies and corporations in anticipation of disasters
etc.
At the site of a forest fire disaster in April 2026 (Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture)
◆ Examples of return gifts
Arita ware, Kichiemon Pottery MOTIF Ground 18cm Rim Plate
Ariake no Kaze - First-picked roasted seaweed 5-bag set
Ureshino Tea PET bottle 280ml x 24 bottles
Imari Yamandori - Chicken flavor set
◆ About Public Interest Incorporated Association Civic Force
Civic Force was established in 2009 to respond to large-scale disasters in Japan and achieve rapid and effective support through collaboration among corporations, NPOs, and government agencies. From immediately after a disaster to recovery and reconstruction, they realize support tailored to the needs of affected areas by maximizing individual strengths. By connecting affected areas and sharing experiences and lessons learned, they support the creation of disaster-resilient communities.
Organization Name: Public Interest Incorporated Association Civic Force
Representative Director: Kaori Negi
Location: Tomigaya Ogawa Building 2F, 2-41-12 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://www.civic-force.org/about/index.html