First SCOPE Grants Awarded to Take Root and SFKIEA

In 2025 the Committee launched SCOPE, the San Francisco–Seoul Cultural and Opportunity Partnership Engagement grant program. SCOPE awards $10,000 grants to nonprofits that strengthen ties between San Francisco and Seoul through arts and culture, education, innovation and technology, and the creative industries.

Applications opened in late May and closed on June 30, 2025. After reviewing the proposals, the board selected two organizations for the first round:

• Take Root, for an 8-week creative workshop series for Korean immigrant mothers who live between Seoul and San Francisco. Through storytelling, collage and wellness activities, the series was planned to end with a public showcase of participants' artwork and stories on February 28, 2026 at Quinlan Community Center.
• SFKIEA, to expand Korean language support in the classroom from two to four days a week, with a conversation focus for 5th through 8th graders and a pen-pal program connecting students in San Francisco with students in Seoul.

Both recipients were recognized at the Committee's Chuseok Gala on September 26, 2025.