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AOZORA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 812989023 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE A23 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · aozoracommunity.org
revenue
$2.9M
expenses
$2.4M
net assets
$613K
employees
48
volunteers
4
program ratio
80%
mission · from form 990

AOZORA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AIMS TO ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW YORK AREA FAMILIES TO ENGAGE WITH JAPAN'S UNIQUE LANGUAGE, ARTS AND CULTURE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Aozora Community Foundation operates a Japanese immersion preschool and after-school program in Brooklyn, NY, serving children from kindergarten to 8th grade. The organization uses project-based, play-centered learning to teach Japanese language and culture, with a curriculum aligned to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. It emphasizes cultural identity, environmental awareness, and inclusive education for children of diverse linguistic backgrounds.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

After School Program
After-school Japanese language and cultural program for children born between 2021 and 2024, offering Special Classes and Choice Time in a play-based, immersive environment.
Aozora Academy
Japanese language and cultural program for students from kindergarten to 8th grade, featuring three differentiated learning environments based on language proficiency and project-based, SDG-aligned curriculum.
Preschool Program
Full-day Japanese immersion preschool for children ages 2–5, featuring play-based learning, outdoor play, food education, and a curriculum centered on the UN SDGs.
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • East Asian Language and Cultural Education 3 activities
    • Delivering Japanese language and cultural education for school-age students (K–8)
      Offers a Japanese language and cultural learning program for students from kindergarten to 8th grade, aligned with New York State Department of Education standards and based on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum includes cultural events on traditional and contemporary Japanese customs, semesterly assessments across five domains, and opportunities for self-initiated learning, especially in higher grade levels.
    • Offering Japanese language and cultural programs for children and families beyond preschool
      Provides Japanese language and cultural education for children ages 0–8 and their families through programs such as a Saturday Pre-K class (30 sessions annually, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm), Caregiver & Me classes for toddlers aged 15 months to 2 years, and weekly Japanese Story Time for infants and toddlers aged 0–2. These programs introduce Japanese language through finger plays, picture-book read-alouds, and child-led exploration, while supporting family connection to the Aozora community.
    • Providing community engagement and cultural connection opportunities for families
      Hosts Academy programs, camps, adult Japanese language classes, and community events that create spaces for connection, resource sharing, and mutual celebration. These offerings engage learners of all ages and language backgrounds with Japanese arts, culture, and values.
  • Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
    • Operating a 100% Japanese language immersion preschool for young children
      Provides early childhood education through a 100% Japanese language immersion environment, with structured routines including Choice Time, Morning Circle, songs, movement, sensory play, and hands-on activities that support development of independence, curiosity, language, and social-emotional skills. Maintains class sizes of 10 to 12 children and offers daily lunch and snacks prepared in-house using seasonal and organic ingredients.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Supporting program operations through staffing, infrastructure, and volunteer engagement
      Employs dedicated teachers and staff to provide nurturing, intentional, and expert care, while relying on volunteers to support programs and operations. Maintains safe, welcoming, and well-maintained classroom environments and sustains operational infrastructure that supports families and high program standards.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$2.85M
Contributions & grants$157K6%
Program service revenue$2.65M93%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$41K
expenses
Total expenses$2.40M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$1.42M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.21M
Cash$1.22M
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.60M
Net assets$613K
Liquid reserves6.1 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +22.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MIHO NISHIMANIWA FOUNDER & SCHOOL DIRECTOR 40 $100K
board members · 4
  • MARIE ONAGA — SECRETARY
  • NANCY MURAKAMI — DIRECTOR
  • ROBYN TOMIOKA — PRESIDENT
  • SAKURA MORIUCHI — TREASURER
relationships · 4

Who they work with

  • 238 St. Marks Avenue Partner — Location hosting the Saturday Pre-K class in Brooklyn.
  • Natsuko Yamawaki Partner — School chef who plans monthly nutritious and balanced menus for the preschool program.
  • New York State Department of Education Government — Curriculum is aligned with the state education standards.
  • info@aozoracommunity.org Partner — Primary contact point for volunteer inquiries and community engagement.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Culturally Rooted Education to Build Character and Community Continuity
    methodology: culturally-rooted_education
    By grounding education in Japanese values, morals, and spirit, the organization cultivates character, cultural understanding, and a stable community, because shared cultural foundations foster identity, respect, and intergenerational continuity.
  • Language Immersion as a Foundation for Global Citizenship
    methodology: language-immersion-early-education
    By immersing children in Japanese language and culture from an early age, the organization fosters global mindedness, respect for diversity, and long-term engagement with Japanese culture, because sustained exposure through daily practice and integrated curricula supports natural acquisition and deeper cultural understanding.
  • Nutrition Education Through Daily Modeling of Healthy, Ethical Food Practices
    methodology: food-education-through-daily-meals
    By serving seasonal, organic, additive-free, non-GMO meals prepared from scratch with traditional sweeteners, the organization cultivates children’s long-term appreciation for healthy, sustainable eating, because daily lived experience with food shapes lifelong preferences and environmental consciousness.
  • Play-Based and Experiential Learning to Support Holistic Development
    methodology: play-based_learning
    By using play-based, project-based, and experiential activities, the organization promotes academic, social-emotional, and linguistic development in young children, because these methods align with developmental needs and increase engagement, curiosity, and natural learning.
  • Student-Directed and Differentiated Learning to Foster Engagement
    methodology: student-centered_language_instruction
    By allowing students to choose their own topics and tailoring instruction to individual needs and proficiency levels, the organization increases motivation and self-initiated learning, because autonomy and personal relevance drive deeper engagement, especially in older children.