Kawabe Memorial Fund Aka Harry S Kawabe Trust

The Kawabe Memorial Fund, also known as the Harry S Kawabe Trust, is a private foundation dedicated to supporting community development and education. Established in 1971 under the terms of Harry S. Kawabe's Last Will and Testament, it has been awarding grants and scholarships for over five decades.

Background

Harry S. Kawabe emigrated from Japan in 1915 to work on the railroad construction boom in Alaska. He transitioned into the laundry business, eventually building the most modern and largest laundry in the Territory of Alaska by securing contracts with major clients like the Army, Navy, and hospitals[1].

Mission

The fund supports local, qualified non-profit human services organizations focused on the care of the indigent, children, and senior citizens. It also provides grants for capital improvement projects at churches and funds training programs for teachers, priests, and ministers. The primary geographical focus is the greater Seattle area, targeting organizations with budgets of $5 million or less[1][2].

Scholarships

The Kawabe Memorial Fund awards scholarships to graduating students from Seward High School in Alaska who are pursuing higher education at occupational or vocational schools, or at two- or four-year colleges and universities. The selection criteria include GPA, writing ability, financial need, clarity of goals and aspirations, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation[1].

Financial Information

In 2023, the fund reported a revenue of $150,000 and expenses of $288,000, with total assets of approximately $4.12 million and no liabilities. During the same year, it distributed $208,000 in grants[4][5].

Legacy

The fund embodies the Kawabes' belief that communities, not just individuals, are capable of great things. Through its support of educational and social welfare initiatives, it continues to foster community development and uplift the lives of children and seniors[1].

[1] https://www.kawabememorialfund.org [2] https://www.bankofamerica.com/philanthropic/foundation.go?fnId=122 [3] https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/916116549 [4] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/916116549 [5] https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/916116549