[First in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture] A New Mechanism to Continuously Support Citizen Activities is Born

The Chikugogawa Community Foundation, in collaboration with Kurume City, is launching a new mechanism to continuously support citizen groups: the "Kurume Citizen Activity Partnership Fund."

Accompanying this, crowdfunding (donation drive) for the establishment of the fund began at 0:00 AM on Monday, May 11, 2026.

We aim to nurture this new initiative, the first of its kind in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, by combining the power of the administration, private foundations, and citizens.

To deliver necessary support to those who need it. To create a sustainable region. We kindly request your coverage.

■ Why we are undertaking this project: Challenges and Objectives

In Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, there are approximately 400 citizen activity groups that continuously address local issues, such as creating safe spaces for children and youth, supporting elderly living alone, and assisting disaster victims during emergencies.
This number represents groups that provide information to the city's volunteer information network, and it is believed that many more citizen groups actually exist.

On the other hand, many of them face common challenges such as funding shortages, an aging workforce, and difficulties in public relations, leading to the reality that "good activities cannot be continued."

In response to this situation, we are launching the "Kurume Citizen Activity Partnership Fund" to support activities not with "one-off assistance" but with a "sustainable mechanism."
The fund will continuously implement grant programs for citizen groups active in Kurume City over five years, aiming to keep the flame of local challenges burning.

This fund is a project that will be promoted in cooperation with Kurume City.

Here are some heartfelt messages from citizen groups in Kurume City:

▲ They are working on free tutoring and support for children's safe spaces.

▲ They are engaged in disaster victim support due to repeated heavy rain and flood damage in Kurume City, which has the Chikugo River.

【Image of the Fund and How Your Donations Will Be Used】

The greatest feature of this fund is that it does not end with a one-time support. Your donations will not be used up in a single fiscal year but will be accumulated in the fund and circulated to the field, supporting up to 5 organizations annually (a cumulative total of up to 25 organizations) over five years.

Your single donation will transform into five years of "power to continue."

Furthermore, the selection process will be conducted fairly and impartially by a screening committee composed of external experts, and the operation will be handled by the program officer team of the Chikugogawa Community Foundation. Fund operating expenses will be kept within a maximum of 15% of the donated amount, with the remaining 85% delivered directly as grants to the community.

■ Crowdfunding Overview

Project Name:

Kurume Citizen Activity Partnership Fund Launch Project

"Don't let the flame of Kurume's challenges die out. —From citizens to citizens. We want to create a 5-year sustainable mechanism with you—"

Implementing Body: Chikugogawa Community Foundation

Donation Period: May 11, 2026 (Mon) 0:00 AM to July 10 (Fri) 11:59 PM

Target Amount: 1,500,000 yen

Special Page, Donation Application:
https://congrant.com/project/chikugogawa/22388

Mayor of Kurume City, Shingo Haraguchi - Message of Support

Through past collaborative efforts in Kurume City, citizen activities have expanded in various fields, but securing support to make these activities sustainable has been a challenge.

This time, a grant system utilizing private funds has been established by the Chikugogawa Community Foundation in collaboration with the city.

We sincerely hope that this system, which supports citizen activities by leveraging private sector strengths, will be supported by many sympathetic individuals, further expand diverse citizen activities, and lead to the realization of Kurume as a "city overflowing with kindness, richness, and brilliance."

We earnestly request your warm support for this system.

Shingo Haraguchi, Mayor of Kurume City

■ Contact Information ■

Chikugogawa Community Foundation
Address: 563 Umemitsu-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture
TEL: 0942-34-5600 (Weekdays 9:30-17:00)
Mail: info@c-comfund.com

HP: https://c-comfund.com/
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