Fred T. Korematsu Institute

"My dad [Fred Korematsu] thought for sure by the time his case got to the Supreme Court that the Supreme Court would see it was unconstitutional, that's how much he believed in this country and in the Supreme Court." - Dr. Karen Korematsu, "What Does It Mean To Be An American?"

The similarities between the WWII Japanese American Incarceration and what we are seeing today are striking. History is being marginalized and erased. Teachers in classrooms around the country face book bans and potential job loss by sharing crucial parts of our American story. To make things worse, there are active efforts to minimize and even erase the harder parts of American history, like the Japanese American Incarceration, slavery, and Indigenous and tribal culture and experience. However, funding for education and advocacy nonprofits is at risk.

The Fred T. Korematsu Institute shares the story of Japanese American Incarceration and its impact on civil liberties, the Constitution, and what it means to be an American. Teachers nationwide have shared their concerns about having the materials to teach this important history in their classrooms. And we have never felt stronger and more confident in our mission to promote civic participation and education that advances racial equity, social justice, and human rights for all. The demand for our work is never-ending. So we ask you to join us to educate to conquer hate by supporting the Korematsu Institute with a Give in May gift. 

How can your tax-deductible Give in May gift help the Korematsu Institute? You can help bring history to cities across the country with our "Am I An American or Am I Not?" traveling exhibition, you can help us support our outreach to advocate for civics education in schools in all 50 states, and help us to update our free educational resources for teachers (over 15,000 Toolkits distributed to date!). Help us prevent history from being erased! Get tools into educators' and students' hands. Your investment in the Fred T. Korematsu Institute today will help us make an even bigger impact in 2026 and beyond. 

Join us in educating to advance racial equity, social justice, and human rights for all.

You can support the Korematsu Institute through a one-time or monthly tax-deductible gift, a stock donation, or through a donor-advised fund (DAF). Our four program areas (Traveling Exhibition, Educator Development, Speaking Engagements, Media & Content Library) work together to deliver a comprehensive, scalable model for civic education and engagement rooted in Fred Korematsu’s legacy. The Korematsu Institute is ready to take action: to expand reach, deepen engagement, and ensure that the lessons of Fred Korematsu’s story continue to be shared in classrooms to protect civil liberties and human rights for generations to come. 

Founder and President Dr. Karen Korematsu founded the Fred T. Korematsu Institute in 2009 to honor her father’s legacy. Originally a local community and education program, KI expanded its vision in 2010 when Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution was established in California. We carry on Fred Korematsu’s legacy and educate to fight for the social justice, civic education, and racial equality we urgently need today. 

The Fred T. Korematsu Institute (KI) is a national education advocacy organization committed to promoting civic participation and education that advances racial equity, social justice, and human rights for all. Through our educational programs, media and exhibits, and speaking engagements, we inspire people and organizations to, as Fred said, “stand up for what is right.”