Yamanaka Fund

The Jean Yamanaka Peace Corps Memorial Fund

The Jean Yamanaka Memorial Fund makes small cash grants to community projects in Peace Corps countries. Peace Corps Volunteers in the field are the catalysts: They may forward a request on behalf of a community group, or they may describe a worthy project and request a grant for it. In either case, the Fund mails a check payable to the PCV who, in turn, makes the funds available to the group or project representatives. The Volunteer agrees to cash the check and to verify that the grant is used for the purpose requested. All grant requests are subject to the approval of the RPCVLA Board and to the availability of funds. The board evaluates grant requests in accordance with published guidelines which are available upon request.

The grants are small, usually no more than $100, in keeping with the policy established at the Fund's creation in April, 1976. The founding RPCVs were convinced that small grants would convey a personal touch and would reinforce the people-to-people bonds the Peace Corps was intended to foster. They hoped that the recipients would understand small grants to be demonstrations of personal concern from people rather than from an institution. In keeping with that philosophy, the Fund has disbursed several thousand dollars to hundreds of small projects around the world since its founding.

The money for the Fund comes from contributions from Jean Yamanaka's relatives and friends and from RPCVs. If you would like to contribute, we have several options on our Donate page.

If you're a volunteer currently serving in the Peace Corps and would like to apply for a grant, click here for our guidelines.