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