The San Francisco Japantown Foundation is accepting applications for its 2008 grants.
Grants of up to $5,000 are provided to non-profit groups involved in cultural, community and educational activities.

Apply online at www.sfjapantownfoundation.org. A PDF of the application form can also be downloaded from the site.

The application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 5 p.m. Applications will be evaluated based on how well the organization’s activities promote and support San Francisco’s Japantown.

A subcommittee of the foundation’s board will review 2008 requests in October and the board will approve grants in November. The recipients will be announced in early December.

The foundation’s 2007 competitive grants, awarded last December, totaled $25,000 and were divided among 10 organizations in varying amounts of $5,000 or less.

The foundation also approved $15,000 in special grants, made possible by an additional donation from Jack Hirose, to three Japantown organizations.

The foundation is dedicated to preserving and honoring Japantown’s history; welcoming and serving its residents, visitors, businesses, congregations and community organizations; and supporting the growth and development of the community.

In particular, the foundation supports activities that reflect the Japanese American experience, and activities that engage Japanese of all generations and all experiences in America.

The foundation welcomes additional grants and donations, which can be made through the website or made payable and sent to San Francisco Japantown Foundation, c/o Minami Tamaki LLP, 360 Post St., 8th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108.

For more information, visit the website, e-mail info@sfjapantownfoundation.org or call (415) 830-4165.