Asian Community Fund announces $450,000 in funding to 52 AAPI-serving nonprofits

As the only philanthropic fund in Massachusetts dedicated to developing, strengthening and supporting AAPI community power, ACF’s grantmaking aims to expand the capacity of the local AAPI nonprofit and business sectors while responding to emerging community needs. This year’s grant recipients were selected for their work in advancing AAPI community empowerment through convening, catalyzing, and capacity building.

“As we celebrate this historic infusion of funding, we are also reminded of how far we still have to go to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s AAPI community, which is amongst the fastest growing and most diverse in the state,” said Danielle Kim, Executive Director of the Asian Community Fund at the Boston Foundation. “We are grateful to our donors, friends, and partners who make it possible for ACF to mobilize resources to address longstanding needs and address systemic disparities.”

Over the last 30 years, just 0.2% of philanthropic funding has gone to the AAPI organizations and causes – despite AAPI residents accounting for more than one in ten residents in Greater Boston population and seven percent of all Bay Staters. This year’s grant making cycle saw record breaking demand for funding, bringing in 105 applications, nearly double the number of organizations that applied in the 2023 cycle, with over 52% being submitted by first time applicants.

“I am proud of the important work ACF is doing to generate solutions to uplift the diverse AAPI community in Massachusetts. These grants mean stability and inclusion for a community that brings a lot of potential and economic vitality to our state," said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. "Congratulations to all of the grant recipients who will be able to provide stronger services and impact more residents in the AAPI community." 

This year’s recipients include seven AAPI business support organizations, aligning with the recommendation put forth by the Asian Business Empowerment Council’s recent report, Setting Roots in Rocky Soil: The State of AAPI-owned Businesses in Massachusetts, which calls for increased funding for AAPI business support programs.

Additionally, three grants were committed earlier this year as part of a new pilot from ACF’s AAPI Mental Health Collaborative to expand Asian mental health counseling capacity at frontline AAPI community nonprofits. All other grants in this cycle are for general operating support, giving the organizations maximum flexibility.

“The work ACF is doing, whether through convening, grantmaking, advocacy, or research is critical to changing perceptions and empowering our community to be recognized for our full and immense value,” said Paul Lee, Chair and Co-Founder of the Asian Community Fund. “Reaching this milestone is encouragement that as we lead the way in uplifting Asian-serving organizations across Massachusetts, we can also raise visibility for our community and amplify AAPI leadership.”

ACF’s 2024 grantee partners reflect the growing diversity of the AAPI community in Massachusetts with 27% of grantees serving the broader Asian American community; 18% of grantees serving Northeast Asian communities like Chinese, Korean, and Japanese residents; 18% of grantees serving Southeast Asian communities like Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Filipino residents; 16% of grantees serving South Asian communities like Indian and Bangladeshi residents; and 18% of grantees representing mainstream organizations led by AAPI leaders.

Notably, the median annual revenue of ACF’s 2024 grantees is $108,487 – reflecting ACF’s commitment to expanding resources and opportunities for grassroots organizations and underrepresented Asian communities. In an effort to promote participatory grantmaking, ACF engaged 37 community reviewers who provided valuable input on the funding proposals and informed the selection of these recipients.

Grant applications will open for the next grantmaking cycle in Spring 2025.