Rohto Children's Dream Fund Selects 9 Organizations for 3rd Grant Cycle, Supporting Activities to Address Social Issues Surrounding Children and Foster Their Dreams

Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (President: Hidetoshi Segi, Head Office: Osaka City) and the Certified NPO Peace Winds Japan (Representative Director: Kenji Onishi, Headquarters: Jinsekikogen-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture) announced that the "Rohto Children's Dream Fund" grant program, targeting organizations working to resolve and improve social issues surrounding children, conducted its 3rd call for grant applications. Following a rigorous selection process, 9 organizations were chosen from a total of 45 applicants.

【Rohto Children's Dream Fund 3rd Grant Recipients】(Alphabetical Order)

◆ General Category (Grant Amount: 1 million to 3 million yen)

・General Incorporated Association Family Education Research Organization (Fukuoka Prefecture, Representative: Hitoko Yoshino)

・General Incorporated Association Kobe Mirai Learning Room (Hyogo Prefecture, Representative: Hiromasa Sasaki)

・Team Framponne (Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative: Manu Shimaoka)

・Specified Non-profit Organization Nakayoshi Gakuen Project (Chiba Prefecture, Representative: Yuichi Nakamura)

◆ Expanded Category (Grant Amount: 3 million to 8 million yen)

・Specified Non-profit Organization AYA (Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative: Yuki Nakagawa)

・General Incorporated Association Escorde Noda Sports Club (Osaka Prefecture, Representative: Yu Asahina)

・Specified Non-profit Organization JAM Network (Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative: Kou Murakami)

・General Incorporated Association Japan Financial Education Support Organization (Tokyo, Representatives: Risa Hirai, Nana Abe)

・Certified NPO Free The Children Japan (Tokyo, Representative: Sanae Nakajima)

Poverty, educational disparities, abuse, bullying, isolation – social issues surrounding children are diversifying and becoming more severe. This grant program supports organizations working to resolve and improve these social issues, ensuring that environmental factors do not narrow children's dreams and future choices.

For the grant application, two application categories with different grant amounts were established, and applications were solicited nationwide. The selection criteria for grant recipients emphasized: ① projects that support children in pursuing their dreams, ② analysis of current issues, ③ feasibility and sustainability of goals, ④ unique appeal of the project, and ⑤ appropriateness of budget planning.

Through this grant program, we aim to eliminate all disparities among children and support a future where they can continue to pursue their dreams.

【Comments from "Rohto Children's Dream Fund" Selection Committee Members】(Alphabetical Order)

・Ms. Aya Abe (Professor, Department of Human and Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University / Director, Research Center for Child and Youth Poverty)

"Serving as a selection committee member for the 'Rohto Children's Dream Fund,' I had the opportunity to see the results of many people considering what they could do to help children realize their dreams. In Japan, there are many children facing various difficulties such as poverty, disabilities, and illnesses. I hope that the earnest wishes of the people condensed in the 'Rohto Children's Dream Fund' will reach these children."

・Mr. Daigo Sato (Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Musashino University)

"This year, we received applications from many organizations, and I strongly felt the passion of those on the ground who are seriously committed to the future of children. On the other hand, I was once again reminded of the difficulty of having to choose among limited resources. All the organizations selected this time have initiatives that combine practical efforts to expand children's potential with sustainability. I hope that through this fund, their respective challenges will further expand, and opportunities and hope will reach even more children. We will continue to support them."

・Ms. Miki Takei (Chief Communications Officer, Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)

"This was my first time participating as an evaluation committee member. Thank you again for the many applications we received. There were many moments when I was deeply moved by the sight of so many organizations sincerely addressing the future and potential of each child. Through initiatives that aim to expand the dreams and choices of children in various circumstances, I reaffirmed their importance. I hope that this fund will be a force that supports children's futures and expands their hopes."

・Ms. Chie Hirao (Director, Fundrex Inc.)

"This fund, born from the desire to support children in pursuing their dreams, has now reached its third year. I am always encouraged by the sight of adults facing the difficulties surrounding children with ingenuity and passion during each selection process. One of the features of this fund is its flexible use of funds, including indirect costs. During the selection, I reaffirmed that such user-friendly frameworks are needed for organizations to carry out their activities, and at the same time, we also emphasized whether the funds would be used to create sustainable and ripple-effect impact. I sincerely hope that everyone's activities will be strengthened through this grant and lead to a society where children can freely envision their future."

・Ms. Rie Mishima (Chairperson, Certified NPO Musubie, National Support Center for Children's Cafeterias)

"From the many applications, I was able to witness initiatives that seriously address the future of children, and I express my deep respect for their daily activities. In every project, I felt a desire to carefully support each child, based on local circumstances, and to expand their potential, which greatly encouraged me. In the selection process, in addition to the feasibility, sustainability, and social impact of the projects, we also carefully discussed whether the activities would place undue burden on the organizations and considered their organizational stage. I sincerely hope that each initiative will reach children and become a source of hope for their future."

For details on the public call for applications, please refer to the following:

https://peace-winds.org/news-info/51232

【Inquiries/Contact Information】

"Rohto Children's Dream Fund" Grant Secretariat (Contact: Noda): grant@peace-winds.org

【About Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.】

Rohto Pharmaceutical's purpose is to contribute to the "Well-being" of all individuals and society by delivering health to people worldwide through its products and services. Well-being means living a vibrant life, both physically and mentally, with a smile every day across various life stages. This grant specifically aims to help children, whose "Well-being" is significantly influenced by external and environmental factors, to nurture their dreams and hopes, thereby realizing a society where children's smiles blossom.

URL：https://www.rohto.co.jp/

【About Specified Non-profit Organization Peace Winds Japan】

Peace Winds Japan was established in 1996 as an international cooperation NGO to support people facing humanitarian crises or livelihood crises caused by natural disasters, conflicts, or poverty both domestically and internationally, and has since operated in 41 countries and regions worldwide. It is widely committed to activities aimed at solving social problems, including child support both in Japan and abroad, such as the "Study Tour (formerly Study in America)" program, which provides children from orphanages and remote islands with opportunities for short-term overseas study, and the "JUMP" program, which dispatches university students to orphanages for accompanying support.

URL：https://peace-winds.org/