Providing diverse educational opportunities
for children in poverty
to help them reach their full potential

About Chance for Children

Founded in 2011, Chance for Children (CFC) is committed to eliminating disparities in child education caused by family income inequalities and ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty for generations to come.

In Japan, one in seven children lives under the poverty line. Its child poverty rate is higher than the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) participating countries.

It is devastating that economic and education disparities have widened after the COVID-19 pandemic at an unimaginable rate. We must face what is happening and take swift actions for our children who drive the future of Japan.

Why we do it

There is an undeniable relationship between household income and family spending on after-school education for children. This chart tells us that children growing up in low-income households have three times fewer educational opportunities than peers from high-income households. Such disparities may negatively affect the child’s future academic and occupational paths.

This pie chart shows that more than 60% of spending on education is allocated to after-school programs. The average spending for middle school students is over 300,000 yen (=$2,500–⁠$3,000) per year, which is significant and can be a financial burden for some families. This trend is strongly seen in Japan and other East Asian countries due to the structure of the college admissions system. Regardless, it is apparent that the gap in educational opportunities has been growing for after-school hours.

Where we serve

Permanent support: we serve throughout Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Hyogo, Miyagi, Fukushima, and Iwate.
Temporary support: we come in to support wherever natural disasters occur in Japan, whenever possible.

Support Now!

As every child is different, so are their learning needs. CFC aims to create an inclusive and diverse society where all children can shine.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have provided support to over 6,000 children (from grade 1 to 12) in Japan since its foundation, with 2,900 learning facilities participating in the program.

We are truly grateful for your consideration in supporting children in need!

Messages from Co-Representative Directors

Yusuke Imai (right)
The very reason I am committed to supporting children in need is not because I feel sorry for them. I believe that children who receive our support will grow up to become invariable assets to the future of Japan. This belief has become a conviction through my many years of experience. The potential of children should not be limited by the conditions they are born into or natural disasters. That is why a system to support children is vital for society as a whole. I will continue to do my best to take on this challenge.

Satoshi Okuno (Left)
The girl I met through our Study Coupons program often used the phrase “like a normal family.” Poverty not only leads to a loss of educational opportunities, but also leaves psychological scars such as a loss of hope and motivation, and a decrease in self-esteem. However, there has been a change in the girl who received our support. This is because she not only had the opportunity to learn, but also felt the will and feeling of the supporters behind it. The involvement of many adults has the power to transform the negative impact of poverty into a positive one. My hope is to be the catalyst to make this happen.

How your donation will be used

・More than 85% of donations will be used to directly support children.
・Less than 15% of donations will be used for administrative expenses of the corporation.

CFC is an official charity of the Tokyo Marathon 2025 Charity.

Tokyo Marathon 2025 Official Website (Charity page)
https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/charity/

Notes

All donations are tax-exempt.
All publications are in Japanese.
CFC is one of the institutions that the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan authorizes to recommend awardees of the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon. Individuals who contribute over 5,000,000 yen and Corporations who contribute over 10,000,000 yen are eligible for a recommendation. For more information, please visit the website of the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan or contact us at info@cfc.or.jp.
Current List of Corporate Supporters
See here for further information.
Contact us for any questions you may have at info@cfc.or.jp .