[Event Information] Annual Gathering Held on December 10

The Japan Venture Philanthropy Fund held its Annual Gathering on Tuesday, December 10, at The Classica Tokyo in Roppongi.

The Annual Gathering was held to report on JVPF's first year of activities and introduce the recipient of the Fund's first grant. Approximately 70 people, including donors, pro bono partners, and members of the media attended the event. The Gathering opened with a greeting from Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Nippon Foundation.

sasakawa.jpg
(Yohei Sasakawa)

Representing JPVF's donors, a toast was offered by Takaho Miki of Benesse Holdings.

miki.jpg
(Takaho Miki)

Next, Tomoya Shiraishi, CEO of Social Investment Partners, reported on the Fund's first year of activities, presented an overview of SIP, and explained the decision making process for selecting grant recipients.

shiraishi.jpg
(Tomoya Shiraishi)

The main event of the evening's program was the introduction of the first JVPF grant recipient, After School, a nonprofit operator of after-school programs for elementary school children. Kuniyasu Hiraiwa, After School's representative director, gave a presentation on the organization's activities.

hiwaiwa1.jpgのサムネイル画像
(Kuniyasu Hiraiwa)

Following the presentation, attendees enjoyed mingling and talking among themselves.

kandan.jpg
(Attendees at the Annual Gathering)

The final event on the program was an original rakugo (comic story) performance, titled "After School," by Utanosuke Katsura, a student of Beicho Katsura, a popular performer of the Kamigata school of rakugo. To create this one-time-only performance, Utanosuke visited an actual After School program to watch the children's activities first-hand. During the performance, the room filled with laughter as he depicted the children frankly expressing what was on their minds.

utanosuke.jpg
(Utanosuke Katsura)

The evening concluded with closing remarks by Akira Maeda, executive director of the Nippon Foundation.

maeda.jpg
(Akira Maeda)

The attendees enjoyed themselves throughout the evening, making the first Annual Meeting a great success. JVPF will continue to provide information to supporters and persons interested in venture philanthropy, and forums for interaction with grant recipients.


kinen.jpg
(Group photo)

Videos from the evening are available for viewing on YouTube.

Video used in Mr. Hiraiwa's presentation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0eqUnXtSR8&feature=youtu.be

Original rakugo performance by Utanosuke Katsura
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ii3ZNNXTew&feature=share&list=UUr_QXzIXVxPUcErwMPlhaiw

Back top