The Grew Bancroft Foundation offers a 4-year undergraduate scholarship to a US liberal arts college for students from Japan. It is named after Joseph C. Grew, US Ambassador to Japan (1932-42) and Edgar A. Bancroft, US Ambassador to Japan (1924-25). Over 200 scholars graduated from prestigious colleges in the last 90 years and currently 36 students are enrolled. The foundation is known for its strong belief in the value of liberal arts college education and its active alumni network. (see detail: www.grew-bancroft.or.jp)
Announcing the establishment of Sutematsu Oyama Scholarship (2023)
- Sutematsu graduated from Vassar in 1882 as the first Japanese woman to receive a college degree. She faced many challenges in the male dominant Japanese society upon return. Nevertheless, she is well known for her contribution in women's education and as a philanthropist.
- Akiko Kuno, great grand daughter of Sutematsu and a trustee of the Grew Bancroft Foundation, believes that Japanese women still face similar challenges today. She proposed this scholarshp to promote future women leaders and to create a more equitable society.
- Sutematsu scholars will attend a leading American liberal arts college with a track record of training woman leaders. (See Sutematsu scholarship here)
- UPDATE: We completed the initial fundraise with 34 million yen (September 2023). First Sutematsu scholar has been selected. We started the new season of fundraise toward the goal of 36 million yen. As of November 1, we raised 7 million yen, or 19% of the target.
- "Unexpected Destinations" English translation of the Sutematsu book is available below as permitted by author/translator.
* Donations to the Grew Bancroft Foundation (USA) are tax deductible as permitted by law under the 501(C)3 provisions of the US tax code.