Join the JACL in Our Mission for Civil Rights!

Founded in 1929, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is the nation’s first and largest Asian American civil rights organization.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization, the JACL champions and advocates for the Japanese American, Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA), and civil rights communities through advocacy, education, and leadership development.


Become a Member

Renew Your Membership

Gift a Membership

Upgrade Your Membership Today!

Join one of our new Premium or Life membership categories today! We will officially transition beginning in January 2025. Please check out our resources below or reach out to mbr@jacl.org or (415) 921-5225 ext. 3 with any questions.

Fact Sheet / FAQs

Upgrade by Mail Form

Why Become a JACL Member?

Your membership matters! As a member, you’ll join a community of thousands of JACL members who believe in social justice, cultural and historical preservation, and empowering communities.


Your membership allows you to:


Continue to Make Civil Rights History

  • Protect civil and human rights through grassroots activism

  • Support access to quality education on Japanese American and Asian American history for students and politicians 

  • Aid the work of our D.C. advocacy office with the Stop Hate Crimes Program, Civil Rights Coalitions, and more

Connect with the Japanese American Community

  • Join one of your 100+ local chapters in the U.S. & Japan

  • Advocate for key Japanese American, AAPI, and minority-centered issues and policies

  • Access networking events, Japanese cultural activities, and digital and in-person programs (including leadership conferences in Washington, D.C. and our annual National Convention and Gala)

Invest in Our Youth and Students

  • Educate and empower the next generation of leaders through our youth programs

  • JACL Scholarships up to $5,000

  • Kakehashi Project - delegation trip to Japan

  • Internships & fellowships

  • Leadership summit in Washington, D.C.

  • National Youth/Student Council

Unlock JACL Membership Perks

  • Stay up to date on community happenings with your copy of our newspaper, the Pacific Citizen

  • Visit the Japanese American National Museum for free 

  • Enjoy discounted tickets to our annual Convention

  • Benefit from discounted AARP Membership

  • Gain access to the JACL Credit Union

Join, Renew, or Gift JACL Membership!

Choose the membership type that best fits you. Please select a category below to get started:

  • Regular sustaining member - $65-85

  • Spouses, partners, children, and/or family members usually in the same household - $110-155

    Please note: National scholarship applicants must hold an Individual or Student/Youth Membership. A Couple/Family membership by a parent will not meet this requirement.

  • Currently attending an institution of higher learning as a full-time student or is 25 years or younger. Includes graduate students - $30-40

  • Bronze - $125-170

    Exclusive category of members who make a large annual contribution. Includes entry to the Premium Member Reception at our annual Convention. Add your spouse/family for an additional $45

    Silver - $250-295

    Exclusive category of members who make a larger annual contribution. Includes entry to the Premium Member Reception at our annual Convention. Add your spouse/family for an additional $45

    Gold - $500-545

    Exclusive category of members who make a larger annual contribution. Includes entry to the Premium Member Reception at our annual Convention. Add your spouse/family for an additional $45

    Platinum/Millennium Club - $1,000 - $1,0045

    Designed for individuals who wish to significantly contribute to better assure that JACL continues to promote, sponsor, and encourage our programs, projects, and activities. Add your spouse/family for an additional $36. Includes:

    • A subscription to the Pacific Citizen - Print Edition

    • Entry to the VIP Reception and Sayonara Banquet at our annual Convention

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    You can now make monthly or annual automatic payments for the memberships listed above

  • Sapphire Life Trust - $3,000 - $5,400

    Special category of members whose lifetime membership principal is placed in an endowment fund to generate ongoing income. Make your lifetime membership a couples membership with a %10 discount for $5,400.

    Ruby Life Trust - $5,000 - $9,000

    Special category of members whose lifetime membership principal is placed in an endowment fund to generate ongoing income. Make your lifetime membership a couples membership with a %10 discount for $9,000.

    Diamond Life Trust - $10,000 - $18,000

    Special category of members whose lifetime membership principal is placed in an endowment fund to generate ongoing income. Make your lifetime membership a couples membership with a %10 discount for $18,000.

    —

    You can now make monthly or annual automatic payments for the memberships listed above

If you have questions about how our dues are structured, visit our membership dues page here

Join or Renew by Mail

Print out our membership form. For the correct total, please check membership dues for your chapter and membership category. Send to: JACL Membership, PO Box 45397, San Francisco, CA 94145-0397

Join or Renew by Phone

Please try our office on Tuesday and Fridays between 8:00AM and 4:00PM PT at (415) 921-5225 ext. 2, or leave a voicemail at (415) 921-5225 ext. 3 any time.

Membership Includes a FREE Digital Subscription to the Pacific Citizen, JACL’s National Newspaper!

Members can also enjoy a discounted rate of $17 for the Print Edition! Please make a $17 payment with your membership when you join or renew (option is available in the links above). You can also receive the Print Edition by completing this form.  The annual retail rate for non-members is $50

Donate

JACL depends on the generosity of supporters like you to continue preserving the legacy of the Japanese American community and fighting for the civil rights of all people. Please note: when signing up or renewing your membership, you have the option to make an additional donation

Questions?

Check out our FAQ page, email mbr@jacl.org, or call (415) 921-5225 ext. 2 or 3.

Photo Credits:

  1. Japanese for Black lives with strings of tsuru: photo by Ty Yamamoto

  2. Congressional Gold Medal with President Barack Obama: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

  3. JACL joins NCAPA members at the U.S. Supreme Court in support of DOMA in March 2013: photo by Priscilla Ouchida

  4. Okaeri event: photo by Okaeri Los Angeles

  5. 2017 JACL National Convention: photo by Shibumi Photos