About Us

We are one of the largest funders of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) movement building organizations. We strengthen democracy in the United States by building the power of AAPI communities.

History

Out of necessity, AAPI communities have a long history of coming together to form organizations that provide essential, culturally competent social services and programs. Often the first to respond in crises, these organizations have been the ones who also educate, advocate for, and mobilize communities to realize important policy victories and ensure representative leadership. Lack of mainstream funding has meant that most are run on small budgets with a mixture of staff and dedicated volunteers and serve as one of the few AAPI-focused organizations in the area.

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund was conceived in 2013 to counter past philanthropic giving to which have been episodic, chaotic, and insufficient resulting in the disenfranchisement of AAPI communities. Previously a fiscally sponsored project, the AAPI Fund became an independent 501(c)(3) organization in 2024.

Vision and Mission

Vision

We envision a world where all communities fully participate in a multiracial democracy and transform conditions to improve the quality of our lives. 

Mission

We foster a culture of civic participation in AAPI communities through grants & tailored technical assistance to local and state-based AAPI community organizations and leaders, strategic research, and narrative shaping projects that amplify multidimensional AAPI voices and stories.