Miyagi/Sendai JET Micro Grant Program


             The Great East Japan Earthquake was an unprecedented disaster from which it will take the Japanese people decades to fully recover. Among the many victims of this disaster was JET Programme participant Taylor Anderson. Taylor’s tragic death shook the JET community and the lives of the many people she had come to know in Ishinomaki. However, not wanting to let the bond between Taylor and Ishinomaki fade away, Taylor’s family have taken it upon themselves to directly assist with Ishinomaki’s recovery in a variety of ways, including raising funds for the benefit of the community. Since beginning this fundraising, Andy Anderson, Taylor’s father, has consistently looked for new, creative ways to make significant differences at the grassroots level. Andy contacted the Miyagi Association of JET (MAJET) to discuss how JET participants could assist in this recovery effort, and how they could be empowered to do so. Through this discussion, MAJET and Andy Anderson have established the “Miyagi-Sendai JET Micro Grant Program” (details below).

    I. Goals
    1. To honor the memory of Taylor Anderson
    2. To provide financial support to enhance the projects/activities of Miyagi/Sendai JET program participants.
    3. To support foreign language education in the schools in which JET participants are employed as well as the communities in which they live.
    4. To support activities aimed at enriching the awareness and understanding of foreign cultures whether these activities occur in the classroom or in JET participants’ communities.
    II. Description of the Grant
    1. The grant is established for use by members of the Miyagi/Sendai JET Programme.
    2. The term of the grant is from November 1, 2011 until July 31, 2012 or until grant money expires, whichever comes first. At the end of this period, if any funds remain, one of two courses of action will be considered.
      1. The current MAJET team will discuss with the succeeding MAJET team and with Andy Anderson the possibility of continuing the Micro Grant Program for another year.
      2. For whatever reason, should it be determined that the Micro Grant Program will not be continued for another year, the remaining funds will be donated to the Miyagi Prefecture account created for the benefit of 3.11 disaster victims, or alternatively a similar account for the benefit of disaster victims as agreed upon by the current MAJET team and Andy Anderson.
    3. The awards will be determined by each project proposal on its own merit as it relates to the above mentioned goals.
    4. Proposals may be submitted by an individual or a team of JETs.
    5. Funds awarded will range from \2,000 to \10,000. In cases in which the proposed project is found to have particularly high merit, a grant exceeding the amount of \10,000 may be considered in consultation with the MAJET team and Andy Anderson.
    6. Proposed projects and activities may include, but are not limited to the following suggestions:
          1. Creating or expanding English language curricula for use in the classroom
          2. Purchasing equipment and supplies to enrich culturally related activities inside and outside the classroom (ex. International days at schools, culturally related festivals in the community.)
          3. Community service (ex. transportation fees to organize a trip to volunteer in affected areas, rental fees for facilities to hold events etc.)
     III. Grant Awarding Process
    1. The participating JET completes and submits to the MAJET team a Grant Application Form via Google documents.
    2. The MAJET team, in conjunction with Mr. Anderson, discusses each application and evaluates it with one of the following outcomes:
      1. Approved: the proposed project fulfills the above stipulated goals.
      2. Considered: the proposed project has merit but requires clarification or revision.
      3. Denied: the proposed project does not fulfill the above stipulated goals.
    3. Each participant will receive an email, designating that an award has been approved, considered or denied.
    4. Funds will be paid within 30 days of approval.
    5. Within 30 days of project or activity completion, the JET will submit a report to MAJET detailing the project/activity and its expenses. In the event in which a JET incurs an unforeseen cost, reimbursement of these costs are subject to approval by MAJET and Mr. Anderson. In certain cases, such unforeseen costs will not be compensated or may only be partially compensated.
    6. Any unused funds will be re-submitted to the grant account via post office transfer or to a MAJET representative in cash, to then be added to the grant account.