At the end of last year, we received tremendous support from many of you for Action for Education 2024: You Create Change, and we sincerely thank you! We are pleased to share the final results:
================================= Campaign Period: December 1 – December 31 Number of Donors: Over 100 donors from Japan and abroad Total Donations: 18,085,470 JPY* Days of Education Supported: Thanks to your generosity, we far exceeded our goal of 100,000 days, reaching over 180,000 days of education support. *Includes contributions from the 2x matching from December 1–20, the 5x matching from December 25 onwards, and the hashtag campaign. =================================
As the year-end approached, we felt a sense of urgency, wondering if we could successfully reach out for enough support. However, we made every effort to share our message through newsletters, social media, and direct outreach.
We are grateful that so many of you resonated with our campaign theme, “You Create Change,” and extended your warm support and generous contributions.
Surpassing our initial goal and providing education to even more children was made possible thanks to the unwavering support of our matching partners and each and every one of you who believe in Room to Read’s mission. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to you all once again.
2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Room to Read.
We remain committed to delivering education to as many children as possible and making the world a brighter place, even if just by a little.
If you have any questions about Room to Read’s activities, please feel free to reach out to us.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
2024年12月4日（木）、世界的な資産運用会社ピムコジャパンリミテッド（東京・港区）にて、ランチ＆ラーン（Lunch＆Learn）が開催されました。 On Thursday, December 4, 2024, a Lunch & Learn session was held at the global asset management company PIMCO Japan Limited (Minato-ku, Tokyo).
このイベントは、東京マラソン2025のチャリティランナーとして出場する表寛子さんと、東京レガシーハーフマラソン2022にルーム・トゥ・リードのチャリティランナーとして出場したベン・ファーガソンさん（同社共同代表者 クライアント及びビジネスマネジメント / ルーム・トゥ・リード リージョナルボードメンバー）が企画。支援者への感謝を伝えるとともに、ルーム・トゥ・リードの活動をより深く知ってもらうことを目的として行われました。(*東京マラソンを通じて一定額以上を対象の寄付先団体へ寄付し、チャリティ活動の素晴らしさを発信するランナー) This event was planned by Hiroko Omote, who will participate as a charity runner in the Tokyo Marathon 2025, and Ben Ferguson, who participated as a Room to Read charity runner in the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2022 (Co-Head of PIMCO Japan Limited and Head of PIMCO Japan Client and Business Management, and Regional Board Member of Room to Read). The event aimed to express gratitude to supporters and deepen understanding of Room to Read’s activities. (*Charity runners commit to donating a specified amount to their chosen charity through the Tokyo Marathon, promoting the importance of charitable efforts.)
チャリティランナーより寄付の報告 ～走ることで団体の認知度をあげる、チャリティランに共感～ A Report from the Charity Runner
～Increasing Awareness Through Running: Embracing the Charity Run Mission～
表寛子さんは、マラソン歴20年を誇るベテランランナー。東京マラソンの走行歴もありますが、チャリティランナ―としての参加は初めてだったそうです。 Hiroko Omote, a veteran runner with 20 years of experience, has participated in the Tokyo Marathon before, but this was her first time as a charity runner.
「今回、ルーム・トゥ・リードが、東京マラソンのチャリティ団体の一つであると知り、応募を決めました。」 “When I learned that Room to Read was one of the Tokyo Marathon charity organizations, I immediately decided to apply!”
表さんにとって、社内はもちろん、自分が「ファンドレイザー」として寄付を呼びかけるのは初めての経験でしたが、表さんの決意は固いものでした。 This was Hiroko’s first time calling for donations as a “fundraiser,” not only within her company but also among her personal network. Nevertheless, she remained determined.
「走ることでNPOの認知度を上げる”チャリティラン”に共感して、チャレンジしてみようと、決意しました！」。 “I was inspired by the idea of raising awareness for an NPO through running. I decided to take on the challenge!”
さっそく、激務の合間を縫い、社内で寄付呼びかけやルーム・トゥ・リードの活動資料を共有するなどのファンドレイジング活動を開始した表さん。なんと2か月足らずで、低所得コミュニティで暮らす子ども達300人以上の教育に相当する寄付が集まりました！ Despite her busy schedule, Hiroko quickly began fundraising efforts by sharing materials about Room to Read and soliciting donations within the company. In less than two months, she raised enough funds to provide education for over 300 children in low-income communities!
「皆さんのご寄付と企業マッチング*のおかげで、チャリティ―ランナーに必要な最低寄付金額を大幅に上回るご寄付につながりました。本当にありがとうございます！」 “Thanks to everyone’s donations and the company’s matching program*, we greatly exceeded the minimum donation requirement for charity runners. Thank you so much!” *企業マッチング … 従業員の寄付に対し、同額を雇用主側がマッチングして寄付する仕組み。 *Company matching refers to a system where the employer matches the amount donated by employees.
As part of PIMCO’s CSR initiatives, many employees selected Room to Read as their preferred organization, further strengthening support. As a result, the PIMCO Foundation awarded Room to Read the “Employee Choice Awards” for being the most selected organization by staff, resulting in additional significant contributions that support education for over 300 children.
ルーム・トゥ・リードの活動紹介
～世界の７人に１人が文字が読めず、その3分の２が女性や少女達～ Introducing Room to Read’s Mission ～1 in 7 People Worldwide Cannot Read, and Two-Thirds of Them Are Women and Girls～
ランチ＆ラーンでは、ルーム・トゥ・リード・ジャパン事務局長の松丸佳穂が登壇。低所得コミュニティの現状や、識字教育および女子教育プログラムの概要を紹介しました。 At the Lunch & Learn session, Kaho Matsumaru, Director of Room to Read Japan, presented the realities of low-income communities and provided an overview of literacy and girls’ education programs.
さらに、支援を受けて未来を切り開いた少女を描いた映像作品「少女達が未来を変えていく」より、スリランカの少女デュミニの物語が上映されました。いつものランチタイムが、支援のカタチを実感する、学びの時間へと変わりました。 The event also featured the screening of “She Creates Change”, a video highlighting the story of Dumini, a girl from Sri Lanka whose life was transformed through education. What is typically an ordinary lunchtime became a meaningful session of learning and understanding.
『私は自分が育てたもので家族や村を養いたいです』 – デュミニ（スリランカ）。画像クリックで関連記事へ遷移します。”I want to support my family and village with what I grow.” – Dumini (Sri Lanka).
活動への想い （正直 知哉氏） ビジネスに通じる寄付の考え方や効率性が継続支援に Supporting the Cause: A Message from Tomoya Masanao
The concept of donations aligned with business principles and efficiency leads to sustained support.
最後に、ピムコジャパンリミテッドの共同代表者 兼アジア太平洋共同運用統括責任者であり、ルーム・トゥ・リードのグローバルボードメンバーおよびリージョナルボードチェアも務める正直知哉氏が、個人的にも支援を続ける理由を語りました。 Tomoya Masanao, Co-Head of PIMCO Asia-Pacific Portfolio Management and PIMCO Japan Limited, and a Global Board Member and Regional Board Chair of Room to Read, shared his reasons for supporting the organization.
Tomoya and his wife first encountered Room to Read at a 2017 charity gala. Inspired by the vision of “World Change Start with Educated Children” and the efficient, impactful approach to donations, they became dedicated supporters.
“Room to Read views donations as ‘investments.’ For Room to Read, it refers to investing in children’s education and the future. The returns are measured by the number of children educated and the transformative outcomes achieved. The organization reports these outcomes with exceptional transparency, which resonates deeply with me as a business person.”
教育支援は長期的な活動が必要不可欠 Educational support requires long-term commitment.
次に正直氏は、教育支援は短期的な災害救援とは異なり、長期的な資金提供が必要であることを強調しました。ルーム・トゥ・リードが政府を巻き込み、支援地域の組織と協働して活動する持続可能な運営モデルに焦点を当て、教育分野における継続的な支援は、長期的な活動に必要不可欠であると述べました。
Tomoya also highlighted that education support, unlike short-term disaster relief, requires sustained funding. Room to Read’s sustainable operational model, involving governments and local organizations in supported regions, ensures the longevity and impact of their initiatives.
寄付の効果を最大化 Maximizing the Impact of Donations
最後に正直氏はビジネスにとっても、寄付者にとっても重要な指標といえる「運営の効率性」と「スケーラビリティ」（支援プログラムの拡大性）の2つの指針に焦点をあてました。 Lastly, Tomoya focused on two key indicators important for both businesses and donors: operational efficiency and scalability.
「ルーム・トゥ・リードに100円を寄付すると、86円が支援地域の教育に充てられます。日本における運営は、今日ここにいる職員２名で行っています。この、高い効率性の一方で、 2000年の創設以来、ルーム・トゥ・リードは4,500万人の子ども達にリーチし、支援を受けた子どもの数は年率20％のペースで増加しています。この成長率とルーム・トゥ・リードのスケーラビリティへのコミットメントは、影響力を拡大し続ける団体の特長です。」 “Every 1 dollar donated to Room to Read is allocated with 86 cents directly funding educational initiatives in the communities we serve. In Japan, the organization operates efficiently with just two staff members present here today. Alongside this high level of operational efficiency, since its founding in 2000, Room to Read has reached 45 million children worldwide. The number of children supported has grown at an average annual rate of 20%. This remarkable growth, combined with Room to Read’s strong commitment to scalability, is a hallmark of the organization, enabling it to continuously expand its impact.”
フルマラソンを通した挑戦、たくさんの社員の応援、そして投資家としてルーム・トゥ・リードを支援先に選んでくださった皆様へ心より感謝をお送りします！ A heartfelt thank you to everyone who chose to support Room to Read as an investor, to all the employees cheering us on, and to those embracing the challenge of a full marathon!
（左から）徳松愛、正直知哉さん、表寛子さん、ベン・ファーガソンさん、松丸佳穂 (From left to right) Ai Tokumatsu, Tomoya Masanao, Hiroko Omote, Ben Ferguson, Kaho Matsumaru
■お問い合わせ
東京マラソンチャリティへのご参加、ボランティアのご希望、ランチ＆ラーンのご要望はメールにてお気軽にお問い合わせください。 For participation in the Tokyo Marathon Charity, volunteer requests, or Lunch & Learn inquiries, please feel free to contact us via email.
