Kawabe Memorial Fund

The Kawabe Memorial Fund is a philanthropic grantmaking program managed by Bank of America Private Bank through its Philanthropic Solutions division in the Washington office. The fund operates as part of a broader portfolio of charitable foundations administered by the institution, which collectively distribute over one million dollars annually to nonprofit organizations in Washington and Oregon. The Kawabe Memorial Fund specifically focuses its charitable efforts within Washington State, with a strong emphasis on the Seattle and King County region. Its mission reflects a commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, particularly low income children, families, and seniors, through both programmatic and operational funding. The primary purpose of the Kawabe Memorial Fund is to provide financial support to nonprofit agencies and community based organizations that deliver essential human services. In addition to general operating and programmatic grants, the fund also allocates a limited number of capital grants to religious institutions and provides scholarships aimed at supporting educators and clergy. While the fund is open to a range of funding requests, it prioritizes organizations that demonstrate a clear alignment with its mission of serving underserved populations and strengthening community support systems. Funding from the Kawabe Memorial Fund is typically awarded for a one year period, and applicants are encouraged to submit proposals for specific programs, although general operating support is also considered. The fund generally supports organizations with annual budgets of five million dollars or less, indicating a preference for small to mid sized community based entities. While there is no explicit matching requirement stated, applicants must ensure that proposed activities align with allowable uses, which include direct service delivery, operational expenses, and in limited cases, capital improvements for churches. The application process is conducted entirely online through the Bank of America grantmaking portal. Applicants must first identify the appropriate foundation and confirm alignment with its geographic and programmatic focus before submitting a proposal. Submissions must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the designated deadline date. For the Kawabe Memorial Fund, deadlines occur on a recurring basis, specifically the second Friday in March, June, and September. If a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, submissions are due the next business day. Applicants are advised to begin the process early to allow time for technical support and to avoid last minute issues. During the review process, proposals undergo an initial administrative check followed by a more detailed evaluation by staff, consultants, and potentially advisory committees. Applicants may be contacted for additional information or clarification prior to final review. Recommendations are then submitted to a Private Bank committee, which makes the final funding decisions. Notifications are sent to applicants by mail, and decisions are typically made within three to four months following submission. Organizations that receive funding may be required to submit a grant report within one year of the award date, regardless of whether all funds have been expended. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in ineligibility for future funding. For questions regarding the application process, applicants may contact the program via email at wa.grantmaking at bofa.com and are encouraged to include the foundation name in the subject line. Additional procedural guidance and contact details are available through the Washington office grantmaking procedures document.