At a moment when Korean culture is shaping global tastes and trends, the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) convened leaders across business, the arts, law, media, and the nonprofit sector at its sold-out Annual Gala on April 22 at Cipriani Wall Street, raising $3.5 million to strengthen Korean American communities nationwide. 

The evening reflected a defining shift in how cultural visibility translates into meaningful community investment —deepening local impact while connecting leaders and solutions across the country. It also celebrated a landmark milestone: KACF has surpassed $20 million in cumulative grantmaking since its founding in 2002.

In her remarks, KACF President & CEO Kyung B. Yoon reflected on a landmark year for the Foundation, noting that over $3 million in grants were distributed in 2024—nearly twice the amount awarded the year before:

“Strong communities don’t happen by chance; they are built deliberately by people who invest in one another. Real impact requires strategy, voice, and collective action. And today—at a moment when Korean Americans have more visibility and influence than ever—the question is, ‘What will we do with this moment?’”

Kyung B. Yoon, KACF President & CEO

Honoring Changemakers Across Philanthropy and Culture

The Gala honored Miyoung Lee, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Whitney Museum of American Art, for her longstanding commitment to philanthropy and championship of Korean American representation.

“I choose to support organizations that can do this work at a scale I could never achieve alone,” Miyoung Lee said. “KACF is one of those organizations. They show up for our community. For those navigating poverty and isolation. And for those living between two languages, two cultures, and two generations.”

KACF also presented its Trailblazer Award to artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, recognizing their cultural influence and the doors they are opening for the next generation of Korean Americans.

“We are so honored to be recognized by KACF and to be part of a night celebrating the uplifting of the Korean American community through philanthropy,” EJAE said. 

“The KACF Gala was a powerful reminder of the generations that have paved the way for all of us. To look into a crowd of so many Korean-American faces and celebrate this moment together was moving to the point of tears. I’m forever grateful for the sacrifices, the resilience, and of course the jeong that our community holds, that have allowed for so much progress in not just representation in media, but also financial support and empowerment that directly uplifts the people who need it most,” Audrey Nuna said.

“It was an honor to be awarded the Trailblazer Award by KACF. It filled me with immense pride to be able to stand in a room full of fellow trailblazers, leaders, and innovators. As an immigrant myself, my family and I depended on our community to survive and acclimate to life in America. The love and support that we received from our community is something I will forever cherish,” REI AMI said.

Together, this year’s honorees reflect an evolution in how the Korean immigrant community’s influence is expressed, pairing representation and visibility with a deepened sense of responsibility to give back and build forward.

Investing in Communities Across the Country

KACF supports nonprofit organizations serving Korean American communities across the country, including older adults, low income families, and immigrants navigating language and systemic barriers.

Board Chair Jeannie Park spoke to the urgency behind the work. “The reason we are here is that there are still so many, often invisible, who struggle for basic needs and dignity,” she said.

A highlight of the evening was a powerful testimony from Irene Jisun Sohn, Executive Director of Hanul Family Alliance, a KACF grantee partner in Greater Chicago.

“Needs among our community are great, but leading this work in such uncertain times is not an easy job. KACF’s support means so much because it allows us to show up for families at the exact moment they need someone to stand beside them and give them hope. And it is what helps organizations like Hanul thrive to create a bigger impact,” said Irene Jisun Sohn.

Building What Comes Next

Since its founding in 2002, KACF has grown into a national foundation with reach across the country. In the past year alone, the organization invested $3 million across more than 40 nonprofit partners.

Funds raised at the Gala will expand access to essential services, amplify the community’s collective voice to unlock greater investment and opportunity, and create pathways for leaders to connect, learn, and scale solutions nationwide.

“As our community grows in influence, our responsibility grows with it. Together, we have the opportunity to build something lasting for generations to come.” — Kyung B. Yoon