NPO YouMeWe Launches "July Bonus Day" Campaign to Fund 2026 Designing Artists Academy Summer Camp

July 7, 2026 (Tokyo) – NPO YouMeWe (YouMeWe) today announced its "July Bonus Day" donation campaign, a 24-hour fundraising event set to take place from 12:00 AM JST on July 16, 2026. The campaign aims to raise funds for this summer's Designing Artists Academy (DAA) Summer Camp, which serves children living in children's homes across Japan.

On July Bonus Day, donations between $100 and $1,500 per donor, per organization, will be eligible for an incentive fund. This means that a single day of generosity will translate into a greater impact for the children supported by DAA.

The Designing Artists Academy is a pioneering program of its kind, launched in 2008, for children living in children's homes. Professional artists join the children to learn new forms of expression and discover new ways of seeing themselves and the world. There is a special power in the moment creativity awakens when a child holds a camera or paintbrush for the first time.

"If children in Japan are to have long lives, then our role as adults must be more than just helping them survive. It's about nurturing communication, collaboration, and creativity so they can become the designers of their own lives," said Michael Perry Clemons, Founder and CEO of NPO YouMeWe. "No one chooses to be born. But once born into this world, every child deserves the chance to grow, create, and dream."

Funds raised on July Bonus Day will directly support the 2026 DAA Summer Camp, covering art supplies, camera and equipment, instruction from artists, and the creation of a safe and fun environment where children in care can confidently explore their "firsts."

When was the last time you tried something for the first time?

How You Can Help

Donate on July 16 (donations from $100 to $1,500 are eligible for the incentive fund). We also welcome volunteers for the summer camp, shares of our campaign video, and referrals of those who can help spread the word about our work. Your support will transform a "first chance" into lifelong confidence.

Campaign Video: https://vimeo.com/1207501225

Donate and Learn More: https://youmewenpo.org

About NPO YouMeWe

YouMeWe is a Tokyo-based NPO that supports children living in Japan's children's homes by fostering the digital, creative, and life skills they need to live independent and fulfilling adult lives. Through programs like the Designing Artists Academy and Empower Village, which supports career development for youth after leaving care, we empower children to become the "designers of their own lives." Learn more at youmewenpo.org.

Contact:

Michael Perry Clemons, Founder & CEO, NPO YouMeWe [email protected] | 080-4231-8981