Shofuso Heritage Campaign - Who We Are
The Shofuso Heritage Campaign is a special multi-year capital campaign. It will address critical preservation needs for the cultural treasure that is Shofuso, expand support and outreach capabilities for our community, while also strengthening our organization for future needs. Our initial goal is preservation. Time, weather, and tens of thousands of visitors each year take their toll on the house and garden. It is our responsibility to protect Shofuso’s physical legacy by using the same level of craftsmanship and authentic materials required to maintain the integrity of this historic site.
We are also excited to renovate Shofuso’s Japanese garden. The original plans were never fully realized, and we look forward to bringing them to life for our visitors. We will begin master planning for a new, multi-purpace building that will improve the visitor experience without affecting the tranquil, immersive atmosphere of the historic site. Today, Shofuso plays host to a large and diverse audience. As the needs of our community grow, it is our responsibility to prepare to meet those needs.
We know that responsible stewardship also requires forward thinking. Through funding of a strategic reserve, additional staffing, and expanded outreach programs for our community, we can provide the means for future caretakers to realize our vision for the future of Shofuso.
Together, we will ensure that Shofuso remains the heart of our community and the premier venue for Japanese Heritage in the Greater Philadelphia Region. We invite you to join us in supporting this vital campaign—an investment in our shared legacy and collective future.
Shofuso Announces Anchor Sponsor
We are pleased to announce that Tokio Marine Group companies Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY), Reliance Matrix (RM), Tokio Marine America (TMA) and parent company Tokio Marine Holdings (TMHD), have agreed to donate the sum of $455,000 to the Shofuso Heritage Campaign and will serve as its Anchor Sponsor.
This gift, which was initiated by JASGP Board Member, Yuji Takahashi, Vice-President of Tokio Marine North America, exemplifies collaboration across Tokio Marine Group companies and was made possible through the leadership of John Glomb, President & CEO of PHLY and Managing Executive Officer of TMHD. Indeed, this gift is one of many initiatives sponsored by PHLY as part of its commitment to the Philadelphia community including, most recently, PHLY's initiation of PHLY250Sakura, a program in which PHLY and the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia have partnered for the purpose of planting 250 flowering cherry trees to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of American Independence. Through their many initiatives, PHLY and other Tokio Marine Group companies have demonstrated their recognition of the importance of responsible corporate citizenship and the importance of strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.
This represents a significant start to the Shofuso Heritage Campaign, whose 3-year goal is to raise $5 million for the purpose of restoring the 17th century-style house's unique Hinoki Bark roof, adding a critically needed learning center with rest rooms and making improvements to the Shofuso grounds and structures. We are delighted to have PHLY and other Tokio Marine Group companies as partners as we work to achieve our goal of preserving, expanding and sustaining Shofuso as a rich cultural treasure to be enjoyed for generations to come.
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Your charitable donation will help us to preserve and enrich this unique cultural heritage site.
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Or, make checks payable to
“Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia” or “JASGP”
and mail to:
Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia
901 Market Street
Suite 3020, Office #66
Philadelphia, PA 19107
All donations are tax deductible. JASGP is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.