Applications are currently open for the inaugural grant ccle of the JWLI Women’s Fund. The Fund will support up to 14 women-led and gender-focused nonprofit organizations based in Japan.
Selected organizations will receive 2.5 million JPY per year for two years.
Ahead of the application deadline of September 13th, we will host an online information session for nonprofit organizations considering applying to the JWLI Women’s Fund.
We are excited to announce the launch of the JWLI Women’s Fund, a new collaborative grantmaking initiative established by The Fish Family Foundation together with two global philanthropic partners.
Building on more than 20 years of advancing women’s leadership in Japan through JWLI, the Fund supports women-led nonprofit organizations and organizations advancing gender equality through trust-based philanthropy, organizational strengthening, leadership development, and ecosystem building.
Applications are open through September 13, 2026. *Please note that the application, selection process, and program activities will all be conducted in Japanese.
We are also pleased to welcome Noriko Namiki as Chief Executive Officer of JWLI at Fish Family Foundation.
Bringing more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, Noriko will lead JWLI’s next phase of growth, including the continued expansion of its leadership programs and the launch of the JWLI Women’s Fund. We are excited for this new chapter under her leadership.
About Noriko Namiki: Before joining JWLI, Noriko served as Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi’s oldest and largest women’s organization. Drawing on more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, she is leading JWLI’s next phase of growth, strengthening women leaders, the organizations they lead, and the ecosystems that support lasting social change.
The Fish Family Foundation and Two Global Philanthropic Partners Commit ¥200 Million to Advance Women’s Leadership and Gender Equality in Japan
A new collaborative philanthropic fund opens applications from August 5 through September 13 to support women-led and gender-focused nonprofit organizations across Japan.
TOKYO, Japan — August 5, 2026 — The Fish Family Foundation today announced the launch of the JWLI Women’s Fund, a new collaborative grantmaking initiative establisherd in partnership with two global philanthropic organizations. Building on more than 20 years of advancing women’s leadership in Japan through the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI), the Fund represents a nearly ¥200 million (approximately US$1.2 million) commitment to strengthening women-led nonprofit organizations and organizations advancing gender equality across Japan.
Applications for the inaugural grant cycle open today, August 5, 2026.
The Foundation also welcomes Noriko Namiki as Chief Executive Officer of JWLI at the Fish Family Foundation, effective July 2026.
Building on More Than 20 Years of Leadership
Since launching the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI) in 2003, Fish Family Foundation has invested in nearly 250 women leaders across Japan through leadership development, mentorship, international exchange, and long-term partnerships. Today, JWLI alumni are leading change across nonprofit organizations, government, academia, business, and communities throughout Japan.
Despite the critical role women-led nonprofit organizations play in addressing social challenges across Japan, many continue to face barriers to flexible, long-term funding and organizational support. The JWLI Women’s Fund was created to respond to this need by providing not only funding, but also the trust, relationships, and ecosystem that help organizations thrive.
For more than two decades, Fish Family Foundation has embraced the principles of trust-based philanthropy, building long-term relationships with nonprofit leaders and providing flexible, relationship-centered support that extends beyond traditional grantmaking. The JWLI Women’s Fund represents the next evolution of this approach.
To support the launch of the Fund, The Fish Family Foundation established the General Incorporated Association JWLI Ecosystem to lead its operations in Japan and opened its office in Otemachi, strengthening its presence in Japan for this next phase of growth.
Introducing the JWLI Women’s Fund
The JWLI Women’s Fund expands this legacy by investing not only in individual women leaders, but also in the nonprofit organizations they lead and the broader ecosystem that enables lasting social change.
Established by The Fish Family Foundation and two global philanthropic partners as equal partners, the Fund is intentionally designed as a collaborative philanthropic platform that welcomes additional foundations and philanthropic organizations over time. By bringing together partners who share a commitment to trust-based philanthropy, the initiative seeks to strengthen Japan’s philanthropic ecosystem while expanding long-term support for women-led and gender-focused nonprofit organizations.
The Inaugural Grant Program
The inaugural JWLI Women’s Fund grant program will support up to 14 nonprofit organizations in Japan that are women-led or advancing gender equality.
Selected organizations will receive:
¥2.5 million per year for two years (¥5 million total)
unrestricted funding that can be used based on each organization’s needs Organizational capacity-building support
Leadership development
Peer learning opportunities
Access to the growing JWLI ecosystem of women leaders, philanthropic partners, mentors, and cross-sector collaborators
The Fund seeks organizations whose work advances one or more of the following priority areas:
Economic Security and Opportunity
Safety and Well-being
Access, Inclusion, and Representation
Applications are open from Wednesday, August 5 through Sunday, September 13, 2026.
For application details, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit: https://jwli.org/womens-fund/.
New Leadership for JWLI
Coinciding with the launch of the JWLI Women’s Fund, Fish Family Foundation announced that Noriko Namiki assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI) in July 2026.
Previously Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi’s oldest and largest women’s organization, Namiki brings more than a decade of executive nonprofit leadership and extensive experience in organizational development, fundraising, advocacy, communications, and community partnerships. Her experience leading a nonprofit organization brings a valuable practitioner’s perspective as JWLI expands from developing women leaders to strengthening the organizations and ecosystems that enable lasting social change.
“For more than twenty years, Fish Family Foundation has believed that the people closest to social challenges are the ones best equipped to create lasting solutions,” said Noriko Namiki, Chief Executive Officer of the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI) at Fish Family Foundation. “The JWLI Women’s Fund builds on that belief by bringing together philanthropic partners who share a commitment to trust-based philanthathy. Our vision is not simply to fund organizations, but to build a community of funders that learns together, invests together, and works together to strengthen women-led organizations and create lasting social change across Japan.”
About Fish Family Foundation:
The Fish Family Foundation is a private family foundation in Boston and was established by Atsuko and Larry Fish in 1999 to formalize the family’s tradition of responsibility to improve its community and to share the joy of giving with future generations. The Foundation’s areas of focus include aiding immigration, at-risk youth, and those struggling with mental health in Boston, as well as advancing women’s leadership in Japan.
About the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI):
Founded by Atsuko Toko Fish in 2003, JWLI is a leading force of women leaders who drive social change in Japan. JWLI offers four programs that empower women to play leadership roles in bringing positive and innovative changes in society. These programs stand at the forefront of social entrepreneurship and innovation, representing pioneering efforts specifically dedicated to women’s leadership and social change led by women.
About Noriko Namiki:
Noriko Namiki serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI) at Fish Family Foundation. Before joining JWLI, she served as Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Oʻahu, where she led Hawaiʻi’s oldest and largest women’s organization for more than a decade. Drawing on extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, organizational development, fundraising, and community partnerships, she is leading JWLI’s next chapter as it expands from developing women leaders to strengthening the organizations and ecosystems that drive lasting social change.
