Open Bank (CEO Ko-hyun Cho) and the Open Stewardship Foundation (Chairman Hwa-seob Choi) are accepting applications for the nonprofit organization support program titled the ‘2026 Open Stewardship Program.’
The Open Stewardship Foundation announced that the application period began on the 26th and will continue through November 30.
Marking its 16th year, the Open Stewardship Program is a representative social contribution project jointly operated by Open Bank and the foundation under the goal of ‘practicing love and sharing.’ Over the years, it has supported various nonprofit organizations engaged in volunteer and public service activities within the Korean-American community as well as the mainstream society.
Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations that have received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the federal government and operate in California, Texas, and Nevada, where Open Bank branches are located. The foundation will comprehensively evaluate applicant organizations based on operational capacity, public benefit, sustainability, community contribution, and actual project performance.
Returning beneficiary organizations must submit their previous grant usage history and project results, while newly applying organizations must specifically present the purpose, expected effects, budget plan, and community impact of the program for which they are requesting support.
The foundation will select recipient organizations by February 2027 through document screening, telephone interviews, and on-site inspections if necessary, following a final review by an independent judging committee. Grants are scheduled to be distributed to the final selected organizations in March.
Open Bank CEO Sang-gyu Oh stated, ‘The Open Stewardship Program goes beyond simple financial support and holds significance in building partnerships that create positive changes in the local community. We expect that nonprofit organizations will be able to exert a greater influence through this program.’
Application forms can be downloaded from the Open Stewardship Foundation website and are accepted exclusively online and via email (). Mail and walk-in submissions are not accepted. For inquiries, call 213-593-4885.
