What does the Grew Bancroft Foundation offer?
- 4-year undergraduate scholarship to a US liberal arts college for students from Japan
- Named after Joseph C. Grew, US Ambassador to Japan (1932-42) and Edgar A. Bancroft, US Ambassador to Japan (1924-25) (photos above)
- More than 120 students graduated since 1928
- 30 students currently enrolled and supported through the GB Foundation and friends of the Foundation (approximately $700,000 a year)
- Goal: development of future leaders of Japan
- Grew Bancroft Foundation (USA) is a U.S. 501(c)3 private foundation incorporated in 2010
Fund raising success began in 1950 and continued with a strong succession of leaders
- Led by Aysuke Kabayama, President of America-Japan Society (photo third from the left above) with initial funding donated by Ambassador Grew
- Strong support from influential politicians and business leaders including Shigeru Yoshida (photo on the right above), Japan's Prime Minister (1946-54), and the governor of the central bank
- Endorsement and contribution by Emperor Showa
- Over 3,000 individuals and organizations have contributed since 1950
- Merged with Bancroft Foundation in 2007 (originally established in 1928 based on the donation from the Bancoft Family)