Jia Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of JIA Foundation is to work to empower Japanese in America (JIA), and their families and friends by connecting them to resources, to one another and to the community. Our goal is to help JIA live fulfilling and productive lives with appreciation for our heritage, become good citizens in the US community, and develop effective communication among generations of JIA families and the communities. JIA Foundation was established to meet the needs of the current wave of Japanese immigrants, offering services in Japanese language, and over time, our programming has expanded to offer activities in both English and Japanese. We appreciate Japanese culture and values, while valuing the diversity of JIAs. Through collaboration, we create a supportive environment for personal and professional growth and empower JIAs to thrive in the US while honoring our cultural heritage.
- Income
- $22,961
- Spending
- $15,258
- Reserves
- 27.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $9,679 spent. SEIJIN-shiki is a Japanese Coming of Age Celebration. Each year we host a ceremony in Bellevue to celebrate young people turning 20 and welcome young adults of any nationality, including Japanese citizens living in the United States or dual citizens, Japanese Americans, and other U.S. citizens and residents who have an interest in and affinity for Japanese culture. Families, friends, and other community members are also invited to attend. For those with Japanese roots, the event provides an opportunity to learn about Japanese culture and values and strengthen their identity as Japanese. It also provides an opportunity to share Japanese culture more broadly and build friendships among multinational members of the community. The event is held on the second Sunday of January. Our goals are to celebrate the coming of age of young Japanese in America and help them strengthen their cultural identity, to provide opportunities for young Americans to learn about Japanese culture and develop into a new generation of leaders with understanding and appreciation for Japanese and other cultures, and to introduce Japanese culture to communities in the United States. At the 2025 event, 126 young adults participated, 121 guests and partners attended, and the ceremony was supported by 31 volunteers and performers.
- $2,050 spent. JIA Foundation initiated a Family Summer Camp called "Rinkan-Gakko" in Japanese in 2018 to provide families with an opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese-style summer camp in the United States. The program emphasizes the use of Japanese throughout the entire duration of the camp and encourages children and parents to participate in cultural activities such as cooking, outdoor games, morning exercises, and cleaning. The program allows children to practice their Japanese language skills, learn about Japanese culture, and meet other children who share similar cultural and social backgrounds. It also provides parents with an opportunity to share activities they experienced in their own childhood and connect with other parents who may have similar parenting concerns while raising children in the United States. In the summer of 2025, 14 adults, 19 children ages 7 to 16, and 14 staff members participated in the two-day camp at Camp Huston, where they engaged in activities such as orienteering on hiking trails, other outdoor programs, and cooking and sharing meals together.
- $1,160 spent. To foster a sense of community, JIA Social offers opportunities for people to connect, spend time together, and appreciate Japanese heritage, including food and culture. People of all generations and nationalities with an interest in Japan are welcome, although communication is primarily conducted in Japanese. In 2025, we held two in-person community events.
- $88 spent. Heart-no-WA (Heart of WA) / JIA Seminar: Living overseas can present many challenges, especially when language, culture, and systems are unfamiliar. Through informative and educational seminars and workshops conducted in Japanese, we provide guidance on topics that affect many aspects of JIA's lives and help connect them with resources they need to live fulfilling and productive lives in the United States. Topics covered in the past include raising children in the U.S., understanding the healthcare system, mental health awareness, long-term care in the U.S., support for domestic violence survivors, Stop Asian Hate, and the divorce process and child custody. We offer several seminars and workshops each year, some of which are open to the public free of charge, with attendance typically ranging from 15 to 70 participants. Our goal is to support JIA in building fulfilling and productive lives and becoming engaged members of U.S. society and the communities where we live.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Asia Foundation (San Francisco, CA), EIN 94-1191246. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.