The Asian Welfare and Education Foundation, a public-interest incorporated foundation, is raising ongoing donations through CONGRANT, a donation-based crowdfunding platform in Japan. Rather than funding a single project, the donations support the foundation's general public-interest activities. These include providing grants to organizations that help people with refugee backgrounds thrive in local communities, alongside hands-on support to promote community coexistence; and international exchange programs that bring welfare professionals from across Asia to share knowledge through lectures and discussions. Unlike typical crowdfunding campaigns, this functions as a permanent donation portal without a stated target amount or completion date, appealing to individuals and organizations committed to supporting the foundation's long-term work.
The foundation's approach combines grant-giving with ongoing accompaniment—what it calls "banso shien" (伴走支援)—to ensure support is effective rather than merely transactional. By directing donations broadly across its public-interest mission rather than earmarking funds for specific initiatives, the foundation offers donors flexibility in how their contributions are used. This model prioritizes the foundation's reputation and track record over campaign-driven fundraising.
Highlights
- Pairs grant-making with hands-on support to maximize impact and sustainability
- Accepts flexible donations for all public-interest activities rather than single projects
- Uses distinctive themes of refugee support and international welfare exchange to stand out
Why this campaign attracts support
Editorial analysis based on publicly available information. It is not a confirmed account of why backers chose to give.
This campaign succeeds by leveraging the foundation's credibility as a public-interest organization to sustain continuous activities rather than chasing one-off targets. By focusing on refugee support and cross-Asian welfare exchange—themes distinct from typical domestic initiatives—it reaches donors specifically interested in international cooperation and multicultural coexistence. The combination of grant-making with accompaniment support strengthens trust in the foundation's work. However, the lack of transparent metrics on funding targets, spending breakdowns, and progress may make it harder for potential donors to envision the scale and impact of their contributions. The model is noteworthy as a shift from short-term campaign fundraising to sustaining permanent donation channels backed by institutional credibility and demonstrated track record.
Did this article help you?
A note from the editors
This project showcases how established public-interest foundations can build steady, ongoing donation streams through platforms like CONGRANT. Rather than pursuing time-limited fundraising campaigns, the Asian Welfare and Education Foundation maintains a permanent portal that appeals to committed supporters. While the absence of specific targets makes the project less conventional as a crowdfunding campaign, it offers lessons for other nonprofits: pairing grants with hands-on support, positioning unique themes in international welfare, and building trust through institutional reputation all point toward sustainable fundraising models beyond the campaign cycle.