“One of the draws of this fellowship is that the Fellow gets to see work in the nonprofit sector through the lens of the foundation, grantee, and a consultant. This multifaceted experience allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the nonprofit ecosystem which is critical for creating a thoughtful and informed nonprofit professional at the conclusion of the fellowship.”

HeeJae An
KACF Capacity Building Fellow 2022-23

Over 21 years of funding and providing organizational and leadership development support to the Korean American nonprofit community, KACF has seen first-hand and heard from nonprofit leaders of the critical need for bilingual and bicultural nonprofit professionals. In 2013, the Foundation launched the Capacity Building Fellowship Program in partnership with Community Resource Exchange to develop a pipeline of Korean American nonprofit professionals to address this issue.

From Fellowship to Full-Time Role at KACF: The Journey of HeeJae An

In the ever-evolving landscape of nonprofit organizations, the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) serves as a beacon for aspiring professionals seeking to connect with their roots and make an impact in their community. One of the notable journeys within this framework belongs to HeeJae An, who transitioned from a KACF Capacity Building Fellow to a full-time team member. Through his experiences, HeeJae shares valuable insights for young professionals aiming to carve their paths in the nonprofit sector.

How it Started

HeeJae’s journey with KACF began after he returned from Korea, where he reflected on his Korean identity. This dual perspective enticed him to better understand the Korean American community and its various challenges.

12-Month Fellowship

During the 12-month fellowship, HeeJae had an opportunity to support the strategic growth of two of our grantee partners. Spending months on site at these organizations, Heejae worked closely with their leadership and staff to help them increase their capacity to make an impact. Through the consulting projects he led, HeeJae helped an organization that had recently expanded its geographic reach develop and implement a donor data management strategy and reimagine its talent management practices to support an increasingly multigenerational workforce.

Some of his other achievements include:

• conducting KACF’s first national survey of Korean-led and -serving nonprofits and foundations and presenting the findings with the leadership of participating organizations during our 2nd Annual National Convening of Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leaders;
• helping to design and launch a new leadership development cohort program aimed at cultivating the “middle layer” of leadership at Korean American nonprofits;
• producing a white paper on best practices for effective associate board development and leading a webinar to share the findings with the nonprofit community.

Advice for Future Fellows

His advice for young professionals is to be proactive about seeking opportunities to make an impact. 

“I sent out a bunch of cold emails to any and all Korean American organizations,” he reveals. “Most nonprofits are seeking talent but lack the time to conduct a comprehensive search for entry-level staff.” 

HeeJae encourages Fellows to identify their areas of passion—whether in advocacy, the arts, or a particular social issue—and take steps to immerse themselves in the “fabric of Korean American nonprofit culture.” In particular, he emphasizes the importance of building genuine connections and fostering trust within the community.

Innovative Approaches to Capacity Building

Capacity building can often be misunderstood, but for HeeJae, it embodies fostering genuine dialogue among staff members. For the organization he was partnered with, he led a staff retreat that evoked heartfelt reactions, with team members expressing renewed hope in their organization. HeeJae held one-on-one sessions with each staff person to discuss their pain points and aspirations. “The result was trust and a more comprehensive understanding of the organization as a whole,” he notes. This open communication can be transformative for both staff morale and organizational efficacy.

This is a testament to how effective capacity-building initiatives can not only enhance operational functioning but also rejuvenate the spirits of those involved.

A New Sense of Belonging

Reflecting on how networks have opened doors for him, HeeJae fondly recounted an encounter with the president of an organization during a haircut in New Jersey and how his mother’s friends and colleagues mentioned HeeJae’s good work to her. Familiarity and connection brought comfort and a renewed sense of belonging within the community.

As HeeJae continues his journey as a full-time nonprofit consultant, his story serves as an inspiration, lighting the way for young professionals eager to make their mark in the nonprofit sector and ultimately contributing to a greater sense of belonging for all of us.

Learn more about KACF’s Capacity Building Fellowship Program: kacfny.org/cbfellow.