NEW YORK, NY — The Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) announces $3 million in new Community Grants to support nonprofit organizations strengthening Korean American communities across the United States, bringing the Foundation’s cumulative grantmaking to $20 million since its founding.

Founded in 2002 to advance a culture of giving in the Korean American community, KACF has grown into a national philanthropic leader through the collective support of thousands of donors across generations. To date, KACF’s investments have supported 126 nonprofit organizations across 518 initiatives, helping vulnerable Korean Americans achieve greater economic security nationwide.

This milestone represents far more than dollars invested; it reflects how far we have come—moving from a place of scarcity to one of growing abundance. More than 20 years ago, mainstream funders were not investing in the Korean American community, and the infrastructure to mobilize and translate generosity into sustained impact did not exist. We have built a culture of giving that has endured, carrying our community forward any single crisis or generation.

Kyung B. Yoon, President & CEO

Investing Where Needs Are Greatest

Recent years have marked a pivotal period of growth for the Foundation as it expanded its impact beyond the New York metropolitan area to become the leading national foundation dedicated to lifting up Korean American communities. 

The Foundation’s latest round of grants will direct $3 million in 42 nonprofit organizations addressing economic insecurity, including critical support for social services, job training for people with disabilities and survivors of gender‑based violence, youth empowerment programs, food and health care access, and civic engagement and advocacy. Select grants were fully or partially underwritten through funding partnerships with the Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco, Seoul Medical Group, and the YS Kim Foundation.

This year’s grants support nonprofit partners across nine states and Washington, DC, with new partnerships established in New Mexico and Washington State.

“Since expanding our grantmaking nationally, we continue to hear from organizations that a grant from KACF was the first time they had ever received funding from a major philanthropic institution. This year alone, we received 100 grant applications, underscoring both the growing need across our communities and how many they continue to be overlooked and underresourced. Our work is driven by a commitment to meet the moment for our communities.“

Brennan Gang, Vice President of Programs & Operations

See the full list of KACF’s 2025 Community Grant recipients below.

Learn more about our grantee partners:
kacfny.org/grantee-partners.

To read our President & CEO’s reflections on reaching our $20 million milestone:
Marking $20 Million in Community Investments: A Year-End Reflection

California

• Being Built Together
• Home on the Green Pastures
• Karsh Social Service Center
• KFAM (Grant generously underwritten by KACF San Francisco)
• KIWA
• Korea Town Senior & Community Center
• Korean American Center
• Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles
• Korean American Community Services
• Korean American Seniors Association of OC
• Korean American Special Education Center (Grant generously underwritten by KACF San Francisco)
• Korean Resource Center
• LTSC Community Development Corporation
• Open Door Legal
• YouStar Foundation

Illinois

• Hanul Family Alliance
• KAN-WIN

New Mexico

• New Mexico Asian Family Center

New York/New Jersey

• Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund
• AAPI New Jersey
• Asian American Federation
• CPC
• Chinese-Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York
• Community Inclusion & Development Alliance
• Give Chances (Grant generously underwritten by the YS Kim Foundation)
• Korean American Civic Empowerment
• Korean American Family Service Center
• Korean Community Center
• MinKwon Center
• New Beginnings for Special Needs
• Red Canary Song
• Renaissance
• Stomach Cancer Task Force
• WomanKind
• YWCA of Queens

Pennsylvania

• Penn Asian Senior Services (PASSi)
• Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation

Texas

• Woori Juntos

Washington DC/Virginia

• Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center
• Family Counseling Center of Greater Washington
• Hamkae Center

Washington State

• Korean Community Service Center

The post PRESS RELEASE: KACF Announces $3 Million in New Community Grants first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.

KACF just reached $20 million in cumulative grantmaking since our founding to strengthen the economic security of the Korean American community. This achievement represents far more than dollars invested—it reflects how far we have come, moving from a place of scarcity to one of growing abundance.

More than 20 years ago, KACF was founded to fill a gap. Our community lacked a philanthropic home capable of uniting us around a shared mission and translating generosity into meaningful support for our most vulnerable neighbors. Reaching this milestone affirms that we have forged a bridge across generations of Korean Americans, deepening connections to community and to one another, while strengthening our collective power.

Though our community is small, our influence is formidable. With your support, KACF has become a philanthropic powerhouse:

• We are the leading national funder dedicated to the Korean American community. Today, we support the largest network of Korean American-serving nonprofits in the country.

• We are also recognized among the top 20 funders of the AANHPI community in New York City, according to a recent regional funding analysis by Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy.

We are proud to announce our latest Community Grants: $3 million to support 42 nonprofit partners across 9 states and Washington, DC, including first time investments in New Mexico and Washington State. This grant cycle carries KACF past the $20 million mark in cumulative grantmaking and reflects both the growing reach of our work and the responsibility we carry as a national philanthropic leader. We received 100 grant applications this year, underscoring the depth of need across our communities and the role KACF is being called to play.

The challenges that vulnerable Korean Americans face will continue to evolve amid shrinking resources for nonprofits. Yet our role extends far beyond funding—we have shaped a culture of giving. By inspiring rising generations of leaders and donors, and by creating spaces where philanthropy is learned, practiced, and celebrated, we are ensuring that our impact endures, growing stronger with each generation and lasting well beyond any single crisis.

Thank you for your steadfast partnership and belief in this work.

With Gratitude,

Kyung B. Yoon
President & CEO

The post Marking $20 Million in Community Investments: A Year-End Reflection first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.

The Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) hosted its third annual Women’s Luncheon in New York City, bringing together hundreds of Korean American women leaders, philanthropists, and community members from across the country. Now the largest annual gathering of its kind in the United States, the event highlighted the women whose bold leadership and generous contributions are transforming lives in their communities, while also spotlighting the growing impact of KACF’s work to uplift Korean American women and families nationwide.

The Luncheon opened with reflections from KACF board members Jeannie Park (Board Chair), Lisa Kim, and Cathy Oh on the intergenerational connections, shared heritage, and collective purpose that brought the room together.

The program featured three distinguished speakers: Hannah Yang, Chief Growth & Customer Officer at The New York Times Company; Tina Kim, world-renowned gallerist and founder of Tina Kim Gallery; and Dr. Young Seh Bae, founder and CEO of the Community Inclusion & Development Alliance (CIDA).

In her remarks, Hannah Yang reflected on the “legacy of courage” passed down from her immigrant parents, which shaped her journey to becoming a leader in the media industry. She connected her story to KACF’s mission, saying, “KACF reminds me of the privileges I’ve had and the courage poured into me. And it reminds me that there is still so much more we can and must do.”

Gallerist Tina Kim shared her journey from early exhibitions in Seoul to global stages such as the Venice Biennale and Art Basel, championing Korean and Asian diaspora artists along the way. She emphasized that the increased visibility of Korean artists worldwide is “not something that happened overnight, but the result of years of persistence and collaboration by artists, curators, collectors, and supporters who believed in the importance of representation in cultural institutions.”

Dr. Young Seh Bae, founder of CIDA, recounted how a small support group of Korean immigrant parents rooted in the belief that “opportunity changes everything” grew into a nonprofit now serving more than 1,900 families. She described how KACF’s partnership and support opened new doors of opportunity for children and adults with disabilities who had long been overlooked.

KACF President Kyung B. Yoon delivered a message urging bold generosity and solidarity to support Korean immigrant communities. She noted that nonprofit organizations nationwide are facing financial pressure due to federal budget cuts and shrinking funding streams, all while being asked to do more with fewer resources, sharing that “this year alone, 100 nonprofit organizations serving Korean American communities applied for funding from KACF.”

The program was emceed by Nydia Han, a 6abc anchor and Emmy Award–winning second-generation Korean American journalist.

Building on the community solidarity and philanthropic spirit demonstrated at the Luncheon, KACF will continue investing in efforts that help Korean Americans across the country achieve economic security.

KACF’s Women’s Luncheon would not have been possible without the generous support of our Host Committee, sponsors and Korean American women-led and -owned businesses.

HOST COMMITTEE

Elli Bai • Jennifer Ban • Juju Chang • Karen Choi • Patty Dhar • Laura Hong • Dohyun Kim • Hee Jin Kim • Jee Kim • Lisa Kim • Sonja Kim • Esther Lee • Hon. Grace Lee • Margarette Lee • Miyoung Lee • Sue Jin Lee • Sarah Min • Cathy Oh Tran • Catherine Park • Dr. Eunice Park • Jeannie Park • Josephine Shin • Gina Sohn • Christine Song • Sarah Paiji Yoo • Hee Yoon • Jean Yun

REIMAGINE SPONSORS

AIREM & Dr. Eunice Park • Karen Choi • Dohyun Kim & Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP • Lisa Kim • Esther Lee • Sarah Min • Cathy Oh & Mike Tran • YS Kim Foundation

EMPOWER SPONSORS

Anonymous • Elli Bai • Juju Chang • Jay and Sonja Kim Family Foundation • Hon. Grace Lee • Jeannie Park

ENVISION SPONSORS

Patty Dhar • Laura, Elizabeth and Caroline Hong • Miyoung Lee • Catherine Park & Douglas Elliman Real Estate • Hee Jin Kim & PureenMD • Josephine Shin • Christine Song • Tina Kim Gallery • Sarah Paiji Yoo • Hee Yoon • Jean Yun, M.D.

IN-KIND

AIREM • Ruchi • Aqua Best • Blueland • Bubble • byAVA • CIDA • good light • Hana Makgeolli • Haroo Planner • Hero Cosmetics • Karen Choi • Kimlyparc • Kish Apéritif • MCM • Melixir • Monse • Norie • OMA • Rice Blossoms • Sol de Janeiro • Sue Jin Lee • Sunday Aroma • 3Lab • 8282

The post KACF Hosts Third Annual Women’s Luncheon, the Nation’s Largest Gathering of Korean American Women first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.

From Vision to Victory: Expanding Support for Immigrant Survivors

Too often, survivors of domestic violence are left with an impossible choice: protect their safety or preserve their financial stability. For immigrant survivors, that choice is made even harder by language barriers, cultural stigma, and systems that are not designed to meet their needs.

At KACF, we believe that organizations deeply rooted in their communities are best positioned to tackle these challenges. With the right resources, they not only deliver life-saving services but also bring forward the lived experiences, data, and solutions that can drive policy and systemic change. 

With your support, we committed multi-year funding to Womankind, helping advance its shared vision with the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC) and fellow organizations in The Collective—a groundbreaking coalition working together to transform how immigrant survivors of gender-based violence in New York City are supported.

This year, The Collective’s advocacy helped to secure a historic win: the New York City Council approved $3 million for the Culturally Specific Gender-Based Violence Initiative—a first-of-its-kind city investment in nonprofits uniquely equipped to serve these communities. 

For Korean American survivors and families, this means they will be seen, heard, and supported with dignity. It allows organizations like Womankind and KAFSC to expand counseling services, job training programs, legal assistance, and more provided in Korean and many other languages.

The Collective’s Milestones

• Helped secure $3 million in NYC’s budget for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence

• Featured as a panel at the first-ever New York State AAPI Summit to highlight the impact of gender-based violence on immigrant women and girls

• Organized press conference to rally support for a bill to increase access to multilingual gender-based violence resources at beauty salons

From Fellowship to Leadership: Developing the Leaders Who Will Shape Our Future

The future of our community depends on the leaders we nurture today. Generously endowed by Youngsuk “YS” Chi and Sung Kim, our Chi Family Fellowship Program provides leadership development for up-and-coming generations and matches them with our grantee partner organizations—giving Fellows the opportunity to support critical community work while building the skills, knowledge, and networks to become civic and community leaders.

Hear from three inspiring young adults about how the Fellowship has shaped their growth as leaders, and how they want to continue making a difference in our community.

5th Annual National Convening of Korean American Nonprofit Leaders

This summer, we hosted our 5th annual National Convening, bringing together nonprofit leaders from across the country for two powerful days of conversation, connection, and collective visioning.

What began in 2019 as a small pre–Giving Summit gathering has grown into the largest convening of its kind. It is now an essential space for leaders to reflect, collaborate, and strengthen our shared commitment to our community. 

This year’s Convening also took us beyond the room. Through community walks, leaders had a valuable chance to share local stories while engaging in dialogue that connected challenges on the ground to broader national dialogue.

Spaces like this unlock opportunities for collaboration and innovation. With your support, leaders are coming together to build connections and a support system to learn, grow, and drive greater impact.

This summer has shown us what’s possible when we act together. As we head into the fall, we look forward to sharing more ways your support is helping our community thrive. Subscribe to our email list to receive more stories of impact, news, and announcements.

The post Quarterly Newsletter | Summer 2025 first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.

The Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) announced the launch of its newly unified and streamlined Community Grants program to strengthen Korean American communities across the United States. Nonprofit organizations helping low-income Korean Americans—either as a primary focus or as part of the broader populations they serve—to increase their economic security are invited to apply for funding.

“Since our first national open call for grant proposals, we’ve seen a 65% increase in applications. We see this as a clear sign of the growing need and interest in philanthropic support within Korean American communities,” said Kyung B. Yoon, President and CEO of KACF. “This round of funding reflects the spirit of generosity that defines our community and our commitment to equipping organizations with the resources they need to create meaningful and lasting change.”

As the Foundation has grown from a regional to a national funder, it has consolidated its previous “Community Grants” (for New York and New Jersey-based nonprofits) and “National Grants” (for nonprofits based elsewhere) into a single program. Beginning this year, all eligible organizations regardless of location—will apply through the unified “Community Grants” program.

The application form is available in both English and Korean, and applicants are welcome to submit in either language. Full eligibility criteria and application instructions are available here. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend the upcoming RFP briefing via Zoom on July 23, 2025 (RSVP).

The deadline to submit proposals is August 29, 2025. Initial review notifications will be sent in September, followed by site visits between September and November. Final funding decisions will be shared with selected organizations in December.

The post KACF Announces 2025 Community Grants RFP for Nonprofits Nationwide first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.

The Korean seniors harmonica class from our grantee partner, the KoreaTown Senior & Community Center, recently made headlines for leading a crowd of thousands in singing the national anthem at the Stanley Cup playoff games. Invited twice by the LA Kings, their joyful and powerful presence lit up the arena – a moving reminder of the talents and vibrance they bring to our community.

As the Korean American senior population continues to grow, so does the need to ensure our elders have the resources and support to age with agency, dignity, and connection. Thanks to your support, we’re building a stronger community that affirms their self-determination.

Between 2011 and 2021, the number of Korean Americans aged 65 and older increased by nearly 70%. At the same time, our study found that 7 in 10 Korean seniors in Los Angeles struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and health care. As living costs continue to rise and more seniors turn to trusted organizations for help navigating the realities of aging, our role has never been more critical.

We are proud to partner with three nonprofit organizations that are helping to meet the growing needs of Korean American seniors in Southern California:

A Safe Space to Gather and Thrive: KoreaTown Senior and Community Center

The Koreatown Senior & Community Center provides free meals, public benefits assistance in Korean, and a safe space where seniors can stay connected, and even pick up new hobbies, like playing the harmonica. With looming public funding cuts, unrestricted funding for organizations like this is more important than ever.

“KACF의 지원은 저희가 LA 카운티에서 가장 큰 시니어 센터로서의 역할을 지속할 수 있도록 할 뿐만 아니라, 서비스 범위를 확장하고 더 많은 어르신들을 지원하겠다는 목표를 달성하는 데에도 큰 도움이 될 것입니다.” (“KACF’s funding will not only sustain our work as the largest senior center in LA County, but also enable us to expand our services and serve ever more seniors.”)

신영신, 한인타운 시니어 & 커뮤니티 센터 이사장 (Yong Shin, Board Chair of KoreaTown Senior & Community Center

Affordable Housing for Low-Income Seniors: Korean Resource Center

Navigating housing options can be especially challenging for immigrant seniors who are low-income and face language and cultural barriers. The Korean Resource Center (KRC) addresses this need by not only providing affordable housing, but also connecting residents to vital social services that support their well-being and independence. As KRC continues to serve a growing population, we’re proud to go beyond funding to support the organization’s plans for long-term growth.

“KACF’s capacity building support has been huge for KRC. Through the recent staff retreats and ongoing guidance, we’ve been able to realign our priorities as an organization, strengthen our internal leadership, and map out an actionable plan and path forward. It’s been helping us grow strategically not just as an organization, but as a team with a honed sense of purpose and direction.”

Isaac Kim, Executive Director of Korean Resource Center (KRC)

Support for Seniors and Families Navigating the Challenges of Caregiving: Somang Society

Nonprofits are stronger when they don’t have to work in isolation. That’s why we bring organizations together to share knowledge and build a community of peers advancing similar missions.

Somang Society supports seniors and their caregivers as they navigate the complex realities of dementia and cognitive decline. Recognizing that primary caregivers are not always nearby or equipped with culturally sensitive support, the organization has been eager to connect with other KACF grantee partners across Southern California and beyond as part of KACF’s national cohort of grantee partners.

“A collaborative network is so important to serve seniors with caregivers who are not in the same state. Connecting with other nonprofits sharing similar challenges is so important because we can learn from each other and share resources to broaden our reach to more seniors and their families who need to support.”

Dr. Hye-Won Shin, Executive Director of Somang Society

Because of you, seniors and families across Southern California and beyond are finding a community of support, stability, and support in the face of growing challenges. Thank you for being part of building a thriving future for all Korean Americans.

Grants to the Koreatown Senior & Community Center and Somang Society were generously co-funded by the Seoul Medical Group as part of a donor-advised partnership with KACF.

The post Building a Better Future for Seniors | GREATER LOS ANGELES in Focus: first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.

On April 9, the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) welcomed nearly 800 Korean American philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, and supporters to its Annual Gala at Cipriani Wall Street. The evening marked KACF’s 23rd anniversary and celebrated the impact of individuals and organizations working to uplift and strengthen the Korean American community. This year’s Gala was co-chaired by Greg Lee, Josephine Shin, and Jumee Song.

The Foundation raised over $2.3 million to support Korean American communities nationwide. These funds will help expand grantmaking, expand capacity-building programs, and create convening opportunities for organizations serving our most vulnerable neighbors–those who face language barriers and limited access to opportunities for building their economic security.

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:

“It is in moments like these that our ‘jeong’ shines brightest. Jeong is not passive—it is an active force. It drives us to be bold, courageous, and unwavering in our commitment to step up and accelerate our impact.”

Kyung B. Yoon, KACF President & CEO

The evening recognized three extraordinary honorees, whose achievements exemplify the Foundation’s values of generosity, leadership, and service:

• Margarette Lee, Principal & CEO of Youngwoo & Associates, introduced by actress Han Hyo-joo, shared her experience as a pioneering Asian American woman in real estate and the role of community in overcoming adversity.

• Computational neuroscientist Sebastian Seung, introduced by former World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, shared insights on the profound significance found in even the smallest connections–drawing from his groundbreaking work mapping the brain’s neural networks.

• Celebrated restaurateurs Junghyun ‘JP’ and Ellia Park, introduced by philanthropist Joe Bae, received the Trailblazer Award emphasizing that success is never achieved alone and highlighting the importance of believing in and lifting up one another. 

Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice–Southern California and a KACF grantee partner, delivered a powerful message about the growing urgency for philanthropy in the face of diminishing public funding. She highlighted KACF’s vital role in leading a movement of giving that redefines what is possible in the community and inspires people to embrace a deeper commitment to giving.

A live auction featured exclusive experiences donated by HiMedi; JP & Ellia Park; Sebastian Seung; Margarette Lee, Ik-Joong Kang, and Han Hyo-joo; and So-Chung Shinn. The program was emceed by Juju Chang of ABC News’ Nightline and CeFaan Kim of WABC-TV. The evening concluded with a special performance by the Korean American singer-songwriter Eric Nam.

As the largest community foundation in the nation uniting generations of Korean Americans around a culture of giving, KACF has distributed nearly $17 million in grants over the past 23 years. Looking ahead, the Foundation aims to match that impact in just the next five years. This work is critical as 11% of Korean Americans live in poverty, and 6 in 10 Korean seniors report struggling to afford basic necessities.

“Together, we’re shaping a legacy that’s not just about what we accomplish today—but how we empower the future.” — Kyung B. Yoon

The post KACF Raises Over $2.3 Million to Support Korean American Communities Nationwide first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.

The Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) has launched the “Community Learning Series,” a new virtual workshop program designed to share best practices and expertise in fundraising, leadership and talent development, and more. This series will be offered free of charge to nonprofits nationwide, fostering a learning community dedicated to growth and collaboration. Staying true to its commitment to being more than just a funder, KACF aims to serve as an active partner, devoted to the long-term success of its nonprofit partners.

“Our work has always been guided by listening closely to the needs of our partners,” said Brennan Gang, Vice President of Programs. “We are committed to going beyond providing grants by supporting them in ways that demonstrate our confidence in their vision and leadership.”

The Learning Series builds on KACF’s groundbreaking Capacity Building Program—the first of its kind in the Korean American community. The program focuses on strengthening the core pillars of nonprofit success, including executive leadership and board development, fundraising strategies, program design, and strategic planning. What sets it apart is its team of bilingual Korean American consultants, whose deep understanding of cultural nuances enables them to provide tailored support to organizations serving our communities.

“Being able to work with a team that understands the unique needs of a Korean organization helped me realize that I’m not alone and gave me the confidence to lead our team through our strategic planning process,” said Chun-Shin Taylor, Executive Director of the Family Counseling Center of Greater Washington. 

To date, KACF’s capacity-building efforts have primarily focused on the New York metropolitan area. With the launch of the Community Learning Series, KACF aims to expand its reach and invite nonprofits across the country to tap into these resources and join a growing learning community.

Upcoming Workshops:

• February 26 – Articulating Your Mission & Theory of Change (RSVP)
• March 5 – Maximizing the Impact of Your Gala (RSVP)
• March 26 – Reimagining Fundraising (RSVP)

For more information about the Learning Series or to register for an upcoming workshop, please visit kacfny.org/capacity-building.

About KACF’s Capacity Building Program: KACF goes beyond funding to invest in the long-term success of its grantee partners. Through organizational management consulting and online and in-person learning opportunities, the Foundation offers support that demonstrates confidence in the vision and potential of its partners. In 2013, KACF launched the Capacity Building Fellowship Program in partnership with Community Resource Exchange (CRE) to cultivate a pipeline of Korean American nonprofit professionals to address a shortage of bilingual and bicultural talent.

The post KACF Launches New “Community Learning Series” to Support Nonprofits Nationwide first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.

Today, we commemorate the rich history and contributions of Koreans in America, as well as an exciting milestone in KACF’s journey.

We’re thrilled to announce our largest grantmaking cycle in our history—committing over $3 million in grants to support 45 initiatives nationwide and bringing together our most expansive cohort of grantee partners to date.

Since our founding in 2002, we have mobilized generations of Korean Americans to give back over $17 million to their communities.

“As we celebrate Korean American Day, this achievement is a powerful testament to the impact that we can have when we come together for our community,” said Kyung B. Yoon, President & CEO of KACF. “We are proud to lead a national movement of giving that bridges critical funding gaps, enabling organizations to meet the needs of the most vulnerable at a time when budget cuts are threatening vital programs and services.”

KACF’s grantmaking strategy addresses economic insecurity by funding key programs and initiatives such as social services for seniors, advocacy and support for survivors of gender-based violence, vocational training for people with disabilities, financial and technical assistance for immigrant small business owners, as well as efforts to promote civic engagement and mental health. This year’s grant cycle is part of KACF’s second national open call for grant applications, which saw a 66% surge in applications for funding. 

“Over the past year, we expanded our services to assist more than 600 Korean seniors in New Jersey, a 7% increase from the previous year,” said Henry Kim, Executive Director of the Korean American Senior Citizens Association of New Jersey. “This progress, made possible through KACF’s support, comes at a crucial time as reports show that 7 in 10 Korean seniors in New Jersey struggle to afford basic necessities.”

KACF has also taken steps to expand access and reduce barriers to funding. “We release our grant applications in English and Korean and accept proposals in either language, spreading the word through local Korean media and word of mouth,” said Brennan Gang, Vice President of Programs and Operations. “We also provide multi-year grants, and starting this year we will not require our grantee partners to submit renewal applications.”

This national grantmaking effort was further bolstered by KACF’s collaboration with its affiliate and funding partner, KACF San Francisco, which has underwritten grants to two organizations in the Los Angeles area.

“We’re proud to be part of this national initiative to ensure that all Korean Americans have the opportunity to lead happy and healthy lives,” said Drew Paik, Executive Director of KACF San Francisco. “The organizations we support are tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing our community. By working together on a national scale, we can channel resources where they’re needed most and share best practices that benefit everyone.”

In addition, KACF is stewarding the philanthropic vision of Seoul Medical Group(SMG) whose contributions are supporting grants to two Los Angeles-based nonprofits serving Korean American seniors as part of a donor-advised partnership with the Foundation.

“Many of us, as children of immigrants, have seen firsthand the hard-work, dedication and sacrifices our parents have made for our future generations,” said Myong Lee, Chief Executive Officer of SMG. “We are honored to be in a position to help these organizations through our partnership with KACF, getting resources where needed most to help care for our aging community as much as they have cared for us.”

See below for a full list of our nonprofit partners. Go to our grantee partners page to learn more about the impact they are making with our support:

California

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice–Southern California
• KFAM (Grant generously underwritten by KACF San Francisco)
• KIWA
• Korea Town Senior and Community Center (Grant generously underwritten by Seoul Medical Group)
• Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles
• Korean American Community Services
• Korean American Special Education Center (Grant generously underwritten by KACF San Francisco)
• Korean Resource Center
• KYCC
• LTSC Community Development Corporation
• Somang Society (Grant generously underwritten by Seoul Medical Group)

Illinois (4)

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice–Chicago
• Hana Center
• KAN-WIN
• National Korean American Service & Education Consortium

New York/New Jersey

• The Advocacy Institute
• Asian American Federation (AAF)
• Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE)
• Asian Women’s Christian Association (AWCA)
• Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative (BVMI)
• Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC)
• Community Inclusion & Development Alliance (CIDA)
• Community Resource Exchange (CRE)
• Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE)
• Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC)
• Korean American Senior Citizens Associate of New Jersey (KASCA-NJ)
• Korean Community Center (KCC)
• Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York (KCS)
• New Beginnings for Special Needs
• Nanoom House
• Red Canary Song
• Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (REDC)
• WomanKind
• YWCA of Queens

Pennsylvania

• Penn Asian Senior Services (PASSi)
• Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation
• Woori Center

Texas

• Woori Juntos

Washington Metropolitan Area (Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia)

• Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center
• Family Counseling Center of Greater Washington
• Hamkae Center
• Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC)

The post On Korean American Day, KACF Celebrates a Historic Milestone: Over $3 Million in Grants to Fund 45 Initiatives to Strengthen Our Community first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.

EVENT SUMMARY

The Convening, the first and largest of its kind bringing together Korean American nonprofit and foundation leaders from across the country, creates an opportunity for the leading changemakers in our communities to forge new connections, discuss topics of economic insecurity, share expertise and strategies, and explore opportunities to work more collaboratively across issues and geographies.

From the challenges of serving populations that are growing increasingly diverse to planning for major leadership transitions, this year’s attendees engaged in conversations about the evolving needs of their communities, coalition building challenges and strategies, and the critical importance of investing in the growth and leadership of nonprofit organizations.

HIGHLIGHTS

People & Changing Landscape: Serving Diverse Communities

Nonprofit leaders discussed the challenges and opportunities that their organizations are thinking about and addressing as the communities they serve grow increasingly diverse. They reflected on what this changing landscape means for their organizational culture, strategic planning, board development, and staffing.

Panelists:

• Eun-Kyung Kim – Executive Director, YWCA of Queens (New York, NY)
• Ji-Hye Kim – Executive Director, KAN-WIN (Chicago, IL)
• Rick Kim – Director of Community Economic Development, KYCC (Los Angeles, LA)

Key Themes:

• The demographics of Koreatowns are shifting and growing increasingly diverse. Nonprofits are finding ways to mobilize their capacity to adequately serve non-Korean populations seeking their services and programs.

• Frontline staff are the first to change to meet the need of the changing communities. However, diversifying boards to reflect changing communities, is more challenging. 

• Inspiring younger and future generations to lead and support the work of these organizations is something they continue to grapple with.

People & Changing Landscape: Building Solidarity Across Communities

Beyond meeting the needs of shifting populations, how do we rally our community to work more collaboratively with other communities? Nonprofit leaders shared their experiences and learnings from building coalitions Success stories and challenges

Panelists:

• Young Seh Bae – Founder & Executive Director, Community Inclusion & Development Alliance (New York, NY)
• Jeehae Fischer – Executive Director, Korean American Family Service Center (New York, NY)
• Mel Lee – Executive Director, Woori Center (Greater Philadelphia)

Key Takeaways:

• Trust is the foundation of successful coalitions. Clearly articulated shared goals, alignment around these goals, and decisionmaking processes.
• Multi-ethnic and multi-racial coalitions require cultural sensitivity. Acknowledging and respecting diverse backgrounds to biases, fosters learning, and builds stronger, more inclusive relationships.
• Sustaining coalition work is hard work. Being intentional with time and ensuring equal participation across members are essential for building on momentum.

Succession Planning

Two organizations that have recently navigated major executive leadership transitions shared insights into the process, highlighting the importance of developing a strong leadership pipeline in a multigenerational workplace. They discussed strategies for ensuring continuity, fostering emerging leaders, and managing the complexities of transitions while maintaining organizational stability.

Panelists:

• Inhe Choi – Executive Director, Hana Center (Chicago, IL)
• Danae Kovac – Deputy Director, Hana Center (Chicago, IL)
• Myoungmi Kim – President & CEO, Korean Community Services (New York/New Jersey)

Key Takeaways:

• Succession planning is a long-term investment and it is helpful to start open conversations with potential successors well in advance of transitions.
• It takes a lot of time and resources. When engaging a consultant or third-party to support an executive search, it is critical for them to have a deep understanding of the community impacted and the culture of the organization.
• It’s important to keep the board and key stakeholders informed of major leadership transitions. This includes funders who will appreciate the transparency and potentially provide support.

“Open Space” Discussions

Attendees engaged in small group discussions on topics suggested by a peer. This opportunity facilitated the sharing of experiences, ideas, and best practices around: diversifying sources of funding, leveraging artificial intelligence, board development, voter engagement, and intergenerational team management.

The National Convening was a unique opportunity for attendees, especially those from regions without a vibrant Korean nonprofit community, to feel seen and heard. Participants shared a deep pride in being part of a large network of organizations dedicated to transformative work across the country. This gathering truly celebrated Korean American leaders and their vital role as a force for change in the United States, inspiring everyone to continue their important work with renewed energy and purpose. It was a heartfelt reminder of the strength and impact we can achieve together.

The post Korean American Nonprofit and Foundation Leaders Gather in Los Angeles for KACF’s 4th Annual National Convening first appeared on Korean American Community Foundation.