Nonprofits Infrastructure Support
Strengthening Nonprofits’ Infrastructure
We provide programs and services that strengthen the organizational infrastructure of nonprofits, which is vital to the continuation and development of their activities. Many of the JNPOC’s programs–from NPO database service and technology donation programs to communication skills seminars and capacity-building training-support the infrastructure development of nonprofits.
We use a metaphor of “vessel” for nonprofit’s organizational infrastructure/capacity, whereas an individual project as a “cargo”. Even if “cargo” appears to be fancy, which might draw public attention and even appeals to fund-raising, an organization needs a constant watch to the “vessel” itself because without proper maintenance and mending, the “vessel” will eventually sink.
NPO Hiroba
Database for Japanese Nonprofits’ Disclosure and Visibility
With the aim of promoting access to and disclosure of information about nonprofits, JNPOC runs and administers a searchable online nonprofit organization database called NPO-Hiroba that contains data for all “Specified Nonprofit Corporations” (approx. 50,000 incorporated nonprofit organizations) in Japan. The basic information of new incorporated organizations is added periodically, and with a unique ID & password, each nonprofit can add and update its organizational information, which promotes the visibility and accountability of NPOs.
NPO Hiroba (Japanese)
TechSoup Japan
IT Support Service to Realize Nonprofits’ Potentials
TechSoup is a global program that provides technical support and tools to nonprofit organizations. Its services include IT product/service donations and discounts, as well as various IT support projects. TechSoup’s headquarters is in San Francisco, U.S.A., and it has more than 60 partner organizations worldwide, covering 234 countries and territories worldwide..
In Japan, JNPOC has operated the TechSoup Japan program since its launch in June 2009. By providing IT products and services and supporting the promotion of IT knowledge and usage in collaboration with global and domestic IT companies, the program contributes to strengthening the IT capacity of nonprofits that work toward solving social issues and making social changes.
TechSoup
TechSoup Japan (Japanese)
Digital Infrastructure Enhancement Program
Collaborative Project with TIS, Japan NPO Center & TechSoup Japan
With the aim of strengthening the digital infrastructure of Japanese nonprofits, JNPOC and the TechSoup Japan arm of JNPOC assists TIS, a major IT services provider, with the implementation of its grant program that supports nonprofits’ digital tool improvement projects and provide human resources support by dispatching digital specialists. Both programs aim to improve nonprofits’ operational IT efficiency, thereby creating a deeper connection with their beneficiaries.
This unique program deploys TIS employee volunteers to participate in the preliminary screening process of NPOs for the grant program and as digital specialists who apply their experience, knowledge, and skills to support selected NPOs.
Digital Infrastructure Enhancement Program (Japanese)
NPO Cross
Online site on civil society discussions
The 20th anniversary of the NPO Law has propelled us to further discuss the role of NPOs/NGOs, civil society, and social issues in Japan and abroad from various angles. We launched an opinion site called NPO CROSS where people involved in NPOs discuss these matters from NPOs’ unique perspectives.
NPO CROSS (Japanese)
Tsutaeru Kotsu
Communication Skills Development for Nonprofits
Tsutaeru Kotsu, a collaborative project with Dentsu, an international advertising and public relations company, supports NPOs in improving their communication skills. In 2004, we created a workbook with tips to enhance nonprofits’ ability to convey their messages effectively.
With the workbook and communication specialists from Dentsu/NPOs, we also hold seminars in various locations. In order to make this opportunity available to more people, the content of the seminars is currently available as videos on YouTube.
Recognized for its impact, this collaborated project was selected as one of the Best 100 of Good Design Awards 2016.
Tsutaeru Kotsu (Japanese)
Offering Training Opportunities for Organizational Capacity-Building
To raise awareness of the importance of organizational foundations among NPOs and NGOs active in various fields, JNPOC holds several opportunities for nonprofits to strengthen their institutional capacity.
With the support from Panasonic Holdings, one program delivers directly to NPOs and NGOs, while the other is for organizations and individuals supporting local NPOs. The former program includes lectures on the basic concepts of strengthening organizational infrastructure, case study stories from NPOs that received Panasonic grants to improve their organizational infrastructure, and workshops where participants can explore their organizational issues. This program is held in several locations throughout Japan each year with the help of local NPO support centers.
In the latter program, which targets the staff of local NPO support organizations, JNPOC offers a practical training program that enables participants to systematically learn the knowledge and practical skills needed to support local grassroots organizations, while conducting organizational diagnosis of actual NPOs to identify the problems of the organization and the specific areas of capacity building in need of further improvement with recommendations.
Give2Asia / Myriad USA
Providing a New Channel of Grant-Making for Japanese Nonprofits
Since 2010, JNPOC has been collaborating with the US-based nonprofit Give2Asia, which encourages and facilitates charitable giving to Asia by providing personalized services to donors and recipients. This collaboration opened up a new opportunity for Japanese nonprofits to obtain funds outside Japan. As the local advisor in Japan, JNPOC is responsible for grants administration, facilitating the donation process for Japanese nonprofits, and conducting research services when requested by Give2Asia. As of 2020, Give2Asia and JNPOC together have mediated 275 grants (totaling US$19.9 million), funded by 32 large corporate and institutional donors, supporting 105 charitable organizations. These large corporations include: State Street, Johnson and Johnson, Bank of America, Caterpillar, American Express, Prudential, Qualcomm, etc. This includes Give2Asia funds, funded by over 5,000 individual donors, that benefit specific Japan-based organizations and campaigns.
In January 2024, Give2Asia and the King Baudouin Foundation United States (KBFUS) were united and changed its name to Myriad USA. A majority of Give2Asia work was most of Give2Asia’s activities for Japan have now been taken over by Myriad USA, to which JNPOC continues to be an independent service provider.
CSO Accountability Portal
Gateway to Civil Society Organization Accountability Good Practices in Japan and Asia-Pacific
JNPOC believes that nonprofit organizations or civil society organizations (CSOs) need to be held accountable to their own stakeholders about their accountability practices including financial oversight, transparency and information disclosure, public support and effective management. In 2016 JNPOC launched a bilingual portal site that introduces what practices exist in Asia-Pacific as well as within Japan’s nonprofit sector to ensure organizational accountability, which has not been well-known in the CSO community in Asia-Pacific.
