2022.03.14
We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Gojo Foundation, with Taejun Shin, Representative Executive Officer of Gojo & Company, Inc. (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo), serving as its Representative Director.
The Gojo Foundation was established with the mission of funding and conducting research on innovative solutions that improve the lives of people who are underserved by conventional for-profit businesses. Like Gojo & Company, the Foundation aims to create a world where everyone can determine their own future.
Gojo & Company was established in July 2014 with the goal of expanding financial inclusion around the world. Of the one million customers served by our group companies, approximately 70% live on less than $5.50 a day.
However, we have been able to provide very few services to people living in extreme poverty. This is because Gojo & Company is a for-profit corporation expected to generate profits, and we have not yet found financial services that can be provided to people living in extreme poverty in a financially sustainable manner.
Of course, as a company, we continue our R&D efforts and hope eventually to provide commercially viable services to people living in extreme poverty. However, achieving this is likely to take more time.
To address these challenges, we decided to establish the Gojo Foundation.
Bridge Mohan
Former Chair of Ananya and Former Executive Director of Development Bank of India.
Kimberly Wilson
Senior Lecturer at Tufts University
Osamu Yamamoto
Partner of Unison Capital.
Taejun Shin
Founder & CEO of Gojo & Company, Inc.
Akiko Imai
Professor of Showa Women’s University
Mihoko Kashiwakura
Japan Representative, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Kenji Hosokawa
Partner at Morrison & Foerster
Like Gojo & Company, we intend to build the Gojo Foundation into an organization that will leave its mark on world history. We sincerely ask you to consider supporting us through a donation.
If you would like to make a donation, please contact us through the donation inquiry form. Our administrative office will then provide you with information such as the bank account details for making your contribution.
Please note that because the Gojo Foundation is a general incorporated foundation, donations made by individuals are not eligible for a charitable contribution deduction when filing Japanese income taxes. Donations made by corporations may be treated as deductible expenses up to a certain amount.
The Gojo Foundation invites applications for innovative, high-impact projects that promote financial inclusion for people known as the Non-Entrepreneurial Poor (NEP), low-income individuals who are difficult for conventional for-profit microfinance institutions to serve.
Eligible countries:
Projects must be implemented in one of the following countries: India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, or Tajikistan
Project duration:
One to two years, with the possibility of extension through a third year
Grant amount:
Up to JPY 5 million per project
For further details about the grant program, please refer to the application guidelines (available in English only).
To apply, please complete the application form (available in English only) and submit it through the designated application link.
Contact: application@gojofoundation.org
Established: February 4, 2022
Representative Director: Taejun Shin
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Activities: Supporting initiatives that address social challenges related to financial inclusion, gender equality, reducing child poverty, and design for change
Geographic scope: Japan and regions in which Gojo & Company operates. Beneficiaries of the Foundation’s activities may include, but are not limited to, customers of Gojo & Company.
Contact: info@gojofoundation.org
Website: https://gojofoundation.org/topEn/
