Japanese American Service Committee

What Japanese American Service Committee does

Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946 in Chicago to serve Japanese Americans resettling in the city after WWII incarceration. Originally chartered as the Chicago Resettlers Committee, JASC has evolved over 80 years into a comprehensive community service organization delivering three integrated lines of programming: social services for older adults (Adult Day Services with door-to-door transportation and on-site nursing, Home Support Services dispatching in-home caregivers, and the Golden Diners senior meal program), cultural and language education (Tampopo Kai preschool program, Donguri Kai K-12 Japanese language classes, adult language classes, Ikebana and cooking classes), and historical preservation through the Legacy Center, which houses one of the nation's largest community-based collections on Japanese American history.

The organization's revenue model is multi-stream and typical of a mature community nonprofit: government contracts for licensed social services (Illinois Department on Aging Community Care Program, Veterans Administration, Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services, City of Chicago Golden Diners), private-pay program fees for Adult Day Services ($80-90/day), membership dues and class fees for cultural programs, facility rental income, charitable donations including a capital campaign that funded an $8M renovation, and event fundraising. The core technology is not a software product — JASC's "platform" is its physical facility (the new $8M-renovated Forever Home at 5700 N. Lincoln Ave in West Ridge, occupied since December 2024), its 30+ staff and volunteer board, and its community relationships. Supporting technology is standard SaaS: Zoom/Google Meet for online classes, Eventbrite for event ticketing, JotForm/Google Forms for registrations, ArchivesSpace and LibraryThing for the Legacy Center's collections, and Constant Contact for email marketing.

JASC serves an estimated 750+ community members annually through events and programs, with service delivery concentrated in Chicago's North Side neighborhoods (West Ridge, Edgewater, Lincoln Square, Rogers Park, Albany Park, Andersonville, Lincolnwood, parts of Skokie). Primary customer segments include older adults needing culturally competent senior care, children and youth in Japanese language and cultural programs, adult learners, the broader Japanese American community, and researchers/educators accessing the Legacy Center. The organization is led by newly appointed CEO Hamilton Chang (as of 2026), supported by a 15+ member volunteer Board of Directors drawing corporate, legal, finance, and nonprofit leadership from across Chicago, including representatives from Deloitte-adjacent firms, KPMG, BCG, Vanguard, Mitsubishi Electric, and the U.S.-Japan Council.

Name

Japanese American Service Committee

Legal name

Japanese American Service Committee

Website

https://jasc-chicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946 in Chicago that provides culturally competent social services for older adults, Japanese language and cultural education for children and adults, and operates the Legacy Center archive documenting Japanese American history.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services and Cultural Education

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Languages, Humanities & General Interest Lecture Series for Seniors (EDAAAMAJ)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Senior care programs
• Japanese language education
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Nonprofit community organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: JASC relies heavily on charitable donations from members and the community. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and all donations are tax-deductible. Personal donations may be made in memory of loved ones, as honor gifts, part of bequests, or designated for specific programs.
2. Program Fees: Fees charged for cultural programs including language classes, children's programs (Tampopo Kai, Donguri Kai), cooking classes, ikebana classes, and youth volunteer programs.
3. Adult Day Services: Adult Day Services generate revenue through private pay ($80-90/day) and government-funded programs including Illinois Department on Aging Community Care Program, Veterans Administration, and Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services.
4. Membership Dues: Annual membership program offering benefits including priority registration for classes and other member perks.
5. Facility Rental: Rental of conference and meeting spaces to community organizations and for private events. Discounts offered for nonprofits and community organizations.
6. Golden Diners Program: Low-cost lunch program for older adults (60+) through City of Chicago's Golden Diners Program, with suggested contribution of $4.55 per meal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

JASC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that delivers culturally competent senior social services (Adult Day Services, Home Support Services, Golden Diners nutrition program) alongside Japanese language and cultural education programs for children and adults (Tampopo Kai preschool, Donguri Kai K-12, adult language and arts classes). It also operates the Legacy Center, one of the nation's largest community-based archives documenting Japanese American history, and hosts community events, scholarships, and facility rentals from its Chicago headquarters.

Product overview

JASC is a community service organization offering a diverse portfolio of cultural, educational, and social service programs. The core offerings include: Cultural Programs (Tampopo Kai for preschoolers, Donguri Kai for K-12 Japanese language education, adult language classes, Ikebana and cooking classes); Social Services (Adult Day Services with nursing care, Home Support Services for seniors, Golden Diners meal program); and the Legacy Center (archives, library, and oral history project documenting Japanese American history). Programs operate primarily at JASC's Forever Home at 5700 N. Lincoln Ave in Chicago, with online components for remote learners. The organization also provides scholarships, youth volunteer opportunities, community events, and facility rentals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Day Services Culturally competent adult day program providing a safe, supervised environment for Asian American seniors with door-to-door wheelchair-accessible transportation, nursing care, therapeutic activities, meals, and recreational programming. Private pay ($80-90/day) and government-funded through Illinois Department on Aging, Veterans Administration, and Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services.
• Home Support Services In-home assistance program dispatching trained, background-checked caregivers to help seniors across Chicago's North Side remain independent with housekeeping, meal preparation, errand services, companionship, and personal care.
• Golden Diners Program Community meal program serving low-cost nutritious lunches to adults age 60 and older at JASC as one of nearly 70 community sites participating in the City of Chicago's Golden Diners Program, with suggested contribution of $4.55 per meal.
• Tampopo Kai Japanese cultural program for preschoolers ages 0-5 introducing Japanese language and culture through songs, storytelling, origami, arts and crafts, and seasonal activities with parent participation. Coordinated by Naomi Negi for over 35 years.
• Donguri Kai Japanese Language Program Online and in-person Japanese language program for children K-12th grade at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels based on JF Standards for Japanese-Language Education. Small class sizes of 6-8 students with member and non-member pricing tiers.
• Legacy Center Archive and Library Archive, library, and oral history project preserving Japanese American history including WWII incarceration, postwar resettlement, and community life from 1890s to present. Houses one of the nation's largest community-based collections on Japanese American history with 800+ volumes and extensive archives. Open to researchers and public by appointment.
• Adult Japanese Language Classes Japanese language instruction at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels with rolling enrollment, small class sizes, and multiple schedule options including online via Zoom. Uses Genki and other textbooks. 8-week sessions at $150 for members and $180 for non-members.
• Ikebana Classes Japanese flower arranging instruction in Ohara School style taught by certified instructor Yuko Inoue Darcy, with small class sizes and seasonal flower materials included. $55 per class for members, $65 for non-members.
• Adult Cooking Classes Monthly Japanese cooking classes teaching traditional home-style dishes with demonstration-style instruction covering seasonal recipes. $75 per class for members, $85 for non-members.
• Kids Cooking Classes Monthly cultural cooking classes for children held on Sundays teaching Japanese dishes with hands-on preparation and small group sizes. $55 per class for members, $65 per class for non-members.
• Nihongo Table Monthly Meetup Monthly social meetup for Japanese language and culture practice featuring themed activities, conversation games, and cultural spotlights for all proficiency levels. $10 per person, includes drinks, snacks, and activities.
• National Torchbearer Program Partnership fellowship program with Go For Broke National Education Center providing year-long programming for young adults ages 21-30 focused on Japanese American identity, community, and social awareness through service activities.
• Yo!Camp Summer Camp Summer camp partnership sending Chicago campers ages 9-14 to Camp Gilmore in Malibu, California for a week-long residential camp experience. $790 for camp registration includes lodging, meals, and activities.
• Youth Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities for middle and high school students to assist at JASC programs and events, earning service hours while developing leadership skills.
• Soup & Rice Community Program Monthly community gathering serving soup and rice with proceeds donated to local food charities supporting food insecurity relief efforts in Chicago.
• Scholarship Program Annual scholarships supporting students who demonstrate academic excellence and community service, including named scholarships honoring community members. 5 recipients in 2026.
• Facility Rental Rental of JASC facility spaces including conference rooms, kitchens, and program areas for meetings, conferences, trainings, and private events with nonprofit discounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80 years of continuous service to the Chicago community
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023JASC partners with GFBNEC as a local hosting organization for the National Torchbearer Program. In October 2025, JASC hosted the Fall Convening of the Torchbearers program in Chicago, welcoming fellows from across the country. The program brings together young adults ages 21-30 for a year of programming focused on identity, community, and social awareness related to Japanese American history and contemporary issues.
• Chicago Japanese American Council (CJAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJASC works collaboratively with other CJAC member organizations on community programs, events, and advocacy. CJAC member organizations include Japanese American Citizens League-Chicago Chapter, Japanese American Historical Society, Japan America Society of Chicago, and others working together on community initiatives.
• Japanese Mutual Aid SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJASC collaborates with Japanese Mutual Aid Society on community programs including sponsorship of the Nihongo Table monthly meetup program.
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice - ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with AAAJC for advocacy and civil rights work serving the Asian American community in Chicago.
• Japan America Society of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on cultural programs and recognition including the Cultural Achievement Award presented to JASC staff member Naomi Negi in 2023.
• Japanese American Citizens League - Chicago ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on advocacy, community events, and cultural programming for Japanese Americans in the Chicago area.
• Chicago Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural programming partnerships for AAPI Month events and cultural demonstrations at library locations.
• Field MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural programming partnerships for events and exhibits featuring Japanese and Asian American culture.
• Chicago Public SchoolsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnerships for cultural programming in schools, educational outreach, and student involvement in Japanese cultural activities.
• Illinois Department on AgingcoreOthersState agency providing funding and oversight for community care programs including homemaker assistance, adult day services, and emergency response systems for eligible seniors.
• City of Chicago Department on AgingcoreOthersPartnership through Golden Diners Program, one of nearly 70 sites in Chicago providing low-cost nutritious lunches for older adults.
• Veterans AdministrationcoreOthersFederal agency providing funding for adult day services for eligible veterans.
• Midwest U.S.-Japan CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on programs like Mirrored Lives exploring Japanese American history and US-Japan relations, including a January 2025 program at JASC.
• Consulate-General of Japan in ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiplomatic partnership for community events and programs promoting Japanese American and Japanese culture, including hosting receptions for new Consul-General.
• Chicago History MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on historical exhibitions and programs documenting Japanese American history in Chicago.
• National Archives at ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for preservation and access to historical records related to Japanese American history.
• Chicago Cultural AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in alliance of cultural organizations providing collaborative programming and community outreach.
• Heiwa TerraceminorOthersJASC-built senior housing community at 920 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago. Related community organization offering senior living services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Japanese American Citizens League (JACL): National Japanese American civil rights organization with a Chicago chapter. JACL is a JASC partner via CJAC but operates at a national advocacy scale encompassing civil rights, education, and policy — broader remit than JASC's community services focus.
• Japanese American National Museum (JANM): Los Angeles-based national museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting Japanese American history. Comparable to JASC's Legacy Center archival function but operates at national scale with a museum, exhibitions, and major fundraising apparatus.

Direct peers

• Chinese American Service League (CASL): Chicago-based AAPI social services nonprofit offering adult day services, workforce development, and youth programs. Direct peer in Chicago with comparable service portfolio (senior care, education, community programs) but serving a different AAPI community.
• Go For Broke National Education Center: National nonprofit honoring the legacy of Japanese American WWII veterans through education and storytelling. Collaborates with JASC via the National Torchbearer Program and shares the JA history-preservation mission of the Legacy Center.
• Kizuna: Los Angeles-based Japanese American community organization focused on leadership development, youth programs, and cultural education. Comparable to JASC's youth-focused programs (Tampopo Kai, Donguri Kai, Youth Volunteer Program) at a smaller scale.
• Little Tokyo Service Center: Los Angeles-based nonprofit serving the Japanese American community through social services, affordable housing, and cultural programs. The most direct analogue to JASC nationally, with a comparable mix of senior services, youth programs, community development, and cultural preservation — but operating at larger scale in Little Tokyo.
• Japanese American Historical Society of Southern California: Historical society preserving Japanese American history in Southern California. Direct peer to JASC's Legacy Center in archival scope but limited to historical work, not social services.
• Japan America Society of Chicago: Chicago-based nonprofit promoting US-Japan relations through cultural events, language programs, and business networking. JASC partner and recipient of JASC's Cultural Achievement Award; comparable in cultural programming audience but more event/networking focused.
• Chicago Cultural Alliance: Chicago consortium of ethnic and cultural museums and community organizations. JASC is a member; peer in terms of cultural programming, audience development, and partnership strategy in Chicago's cultural ecosystem.
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Chicago: Chicago-based AAPI advocacy and civil rights organization. JASC partners with this organization for advocacy work; comparable in serving the broader Chicago AAPI community but focused on legal/advocacy rather than direct services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/myjasc
• Facebookfacebook.com/JASCchicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jasc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Japanese American Service Committee