Apply for a scholarship from Sonoma County Matsuri

All the proceeds from our fundraising efforts, like the raffles and public donations that our scholarship fund receives, are dedicated to sharing the beauty and insights that Japanese culture offers our community. We do this by extending supporting grants to individual students and public or private organizations pursuing studies and creating projects or events that focus on Japanese culture in Sonoma County.

One of the most visible and important assets to our community is the cultural diversity available to all of us and expressed in the many influences in food, traditions, music, language, art, etc., that enrich the quality of our everyday lives.

Sonoma County Matsuri is dedicated to bringing to the forefront all aspects and contributions to our society by Japanese immigrants and their culture, in the hope that by sharing its uniqueness with the rest of us we will catch a glimpse of our shared commonality and humanity.

In tribute to Cara Kallen, one of our founding members who passed away in 2019, the scholarship was renamed the Cara Kallen Memorial Scholarship. We hope the recipients of this scholarship, students and instructors alike, will pass on their love of Japanese culture to others in the community, just as she inspired us with her love of Japanese culture.

Overview

Sonoma County Matsuri Festival is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose goal is to promote Japanese cultural awareness. Sonoma County Matsuri Festival Scholarship Fund (“The Scholarship Fund”) is available to schools, community organizations, and individuals in Sonoma County who are interested in promoting Japanese culture.

View past recipients

View our past recipients.

Eligibility

Teachers, groups of teachers, community organizations, charter and not- for-profit private schools in Sonoma County are eligible.

Focus Areas

The Scholarship Fund’s focus areas are Japanese and/or Japanese- American culture and history in the fields of music, fine arts, dance, folk art, and crafts. Priority will be given to projects that attempt to reach out to or impact as many people as possible, such as workshops in classrooms, public and community events, open-to-the- public organizational events.

Review Process

All applications will be reviewed by a committee of the Sonoma County Matsuri Festival Board. The application should be submitted at least one month prior to the beginning of the project.

Restrictions

The funds received may be used to pay for supplies and honorarium for guest instructors. It cannot be used for salary. The amount of scholarship for each project does not exceed $500.00.

Request for Reimbursements and Reports

Within 30 days of completion of the project, the scholarship recipient has to submit to Sonoma Matsuri a written report and a payment request with a copy of the receipts The Sonoma County Matsuri Festival may request photos of the project, which may be included in its website.

Ready to apply?

Please download, print, and fill out our Grant Criteria and Application Instruction form, then mail it back to us at …