The Asian American Foundation Names Cohort of Grassroots Organizations in San Francisco ‘Asian American Voices’ Initiative

$350,000+ is distributed to 13 AAPI-serving nonprofits to bolster capacity and strengthen safety and economic prosperity.

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) named the cohort of grassroots organizations in the “Asian American Voices” initiative, distributing more than $350,000 raised from local donors to 13 San Francisco-based Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-serving community groups.

The funding will provide a lifeline to both emerging and established community-based nonprofits, allowing them to build capacity and launch projects that meaningfully enrich the lives of the city’s AAPI residents, including safety patrols, trash cleanups, and cultural gatherings. 

To create an ecosystem of support in major neighborhoods like Chinatown, the Sunset District, Japantown, and Visitacion Valley, awardees will also meet regularly to share best practices, strengthen collaboration, and explore long-term partnership opportunities that promote safety and economic prosperity.

“Last year, TAAF began working with local donors across the Bay Area to unlock resources for grassroots organizations that have tirelessly served our AAPI communities, but face sustainability challenges,” said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF. “Now, we’re excited to introduce you to thirteen awardees, many of whom are already working to shape this city’s future. I want to express my gratitude to the leaders in our advisory group, TAAF’s staff, and the many partners who helped to get this initiative off the ground. These awards underscore our commitment to invest in community-rooted and place-based solutions that advance safety, belonging, and prosperity.”

“Years after the pandemic-era surge in anti-Asian violence, the effort shows an evolution from reactive organizing toward sustained institution-building,” said spokesperson for Asian American Voices Dion Lim. “The movement to stop anti-Asian hate galvanized communities. This next phase is about ensuring that organizations have the relationships and structure to work together and lead for the long term.”

The “Asian American Voices” initiative is facilitated by TAAF and leverages its infrastructure and convening power to encourage donors to invest more into San Francisco’s AAPI-serving grassroots organizations. Despite their outsized impact, these groups have historically struggled to sustain services due to limited resources.

To close the longstanding funding gap, TAAF has distributed grants and event sponsorships to the following organizations:

• APA Heritage Foundation, to fund administrative support and additional programming during AAPI Heritage Month and throughout the year.

• Asian Pacific American Public Affairs San Francisco, to grow the organization’s internship program and student leadership workshops.

• Asians Are Strong, to expand access to free safety resources and multilingual self-defense and situational workshops.

• AsiansBelong, to sustain workshops throughout the year, organize educational events, and provide rapid response support.

• Communities As One, to invest in programming and infrastructure upgrades at the Yik Oi Huang Peace and Friendship Park.

• Dear Community, to increase staffing to support Asian-owned businesses and coordinate activities beyond Chinatown.

• Delta Chinatown Initiative, to host and promote free mahjong games in Asian-owned restaurants and across the city.

• Friends of Indonesia, to increase administrative and marketing support, and expand the organization’s signature program, the Annual Indonesian Bazaar, to uplift Indonesian American culture.

• Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition, to support the organization’s signature “Woman Warrior” awards ceremony and additional events including the Young Leaders programs. 

• Refuse Refuse, to organize neighborhood cleanups with volunteers across San Francisco and expand the organization’s “Year of the Cleanup” pilot.

• Save Cantonese, to strengthen organizational infrastructure and capacity to promote Cantonese language and culture.

• United Peace Collaborative, to conduct safety patrols, remove graffiti, and serve residents, merchants, and tourists in Chinatown.

• Visitacion Valley Neighborhood Association, to revive the “San Francisco Bay Area Square Dance Showcase” that features singing, dancing, Tai Chi, and more.

More information about the initiative is available at taaf.org/our-work/asian-american-voices-sf.

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About The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)

TAAF serves the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by promoting safety, fostering belonging, and advancing prosperity. Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in AAPI communities, we invest in initiatives to combat anti-Asian hate, integrate AAPI studies into school curricula, elevate authentic AAPI storytelling, and expand resources and representation for our communities. Through our high-impact initiatives, events, and investments in national and local nonprofits, we’re creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of AAPIs in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org or follow @TAAForg on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or Facebook.