Blakemore Foundation
The Blakemore Foundation (founded 1990 by Tom and Frances Blakemore) awards fellowships for advanced study of Asian languages and grants to support Asian art in the United States (site states it has awarded over $22 million). Program pages include Blakemore Freeman/Blakemore Fellowships and Blakemore Kingfisher Fellowships with application guidelines and downloads.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Individual applicants seeking fellowships for advanced Asian language study or U.S.-based museums and cultural organizations proposing Asian art exhibitions or internships.
Good Fit
- • Projects focused on advanced study of Asian languages (placement at listed language programs).
- • Fellowship-style requests for individual study support rather than large institutional general operating support.
- • Museum exhibitions, internships, or programs that center Asian art and public programming in the U.S.
- • Budget requests in the observed grant range (~$10k–$60k).
- • Submission through the foundation's online portal and compliance with stated deadlines and guidelines.
Geography
Latest giving spans 14 distinct U.S. states plus international locations (e.g., Tokyo, Beijing, Quebec), with roughly 86% of dollars going outside the foundation's home state.
Recipient Variety
The latest year funded 24 different recipients including many individual fellowship awards and several museums, showing a sizable count of distinct grantees but a clear programmatic focus on Asian language study and Asian art.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness includes a public application portal, downloadable guidelines, a stated deadline, and a very high rate of new recipients in the latest year (23 of 24), indicating unfamiliar applicants can and do enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
