Nearly 300 Korean Americans navigating caregiving for parents living with dementia registered for Aging Care Together (ACT)’s first webinar, underscoring the urgent need for a national response.

Supporting a New National Coalition

As a national foundation, our role continues to expand beyond grantmaking, both deepening support for local communities across the country and incubating new initiatives that open doors for greater collaboration and impact. One such initiative is Aging Care Together (ACT), a coalition established by four nonprofits—Hanul Family Alliance, Korean Community Services, Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington, and Somang Society— to build a more connected national support system for Korean American family caregivers, informed by decades of locally rooted, community-based care.

ACT works to:

• connect nonprofits across regions to share expertise and resources
• provide practical, culturally grounded tools for caregivers supporting parents living with dementia
• strengthen a trusted national referral network
• build research and data to better inform community-based responses

A Catalyst for Collaboration

ACT reflects years of relationship-building that KACF has intentionally fostered. Over time, we have worked to create spaces for nonprofit leaders to build relationships, exchange ideas, learn from local successes, and identify opportunities to address shared challenges. The leaders of ACT’s founding organizations first connected through KACF’s National Convening, the largest annual gathering of Korean American nonprofit leaders nationwide.

What began as late-night conversations in the hotel lobby about their individual challenges evolved into a collective realization: that together, they could build stronger systems of support for Korean Americans than any one them could alone. 

Today, KACF continues to serve as a strategic advisor and partner to ACT during its formative phase, helping provide coordination, visibility, and outreach support as the coalition grows.

ACT Demonstrates Momentum with First Public Engagement

On March 19, ACT hosted its first webinar, drawing nearly 300 registrants from across the country. The session opened with a conversation between Jeannie Park (Board Chair, KACF) and Nydia Han (Anchor, 6abc Action News), who shared her personal testimony and insights on caring for a parent living with dementia. Their dialogue was followed by a Q&A with community experts from each ACT member organization, who provided practical guidance on dementia care, resource navigation, and steps attendees can take to prepare and plan. 

Why This Work Matters

Across the country, Korean American families are navigating the realities of aging, caregiving, and dementia with limited culturally and linguistically accessible support. At the same time:

• The Korean American population aged 65 and older has grown by nearly 70% over the last decade
• More than one-third of older Korean Americans live with dementia or mild cognitive impairment
• In a recent study, 82% of surveyed Korean older adults expressed a preference for familial care. (Asian American Federation, 2024)
• 85% of Korean older adults cite lack of information and language barriers as major obstacles when considering professional caregiving. (Asian American Federation, 2024)

KACF’s work to support ACT reflects a broader evolution in who we are: not just a funder, but also a convener and philanthropic leader helping strengthen the infrastructure and support systems Korean American communities need to thrive.

You can watch the webinar here. Learn more about Aging Care Together at agingcaretogether.org.