The TAAF Cities initiative will advance safety and economic opportunity in cities with major AAPI populations.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, safety and economic issues remain top of mind for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities – especially those in major metropolitan areas. To address these challenges, “TAAF Cities” will spur historic public and private investments that strengthen cities with large AAPI populations.
TAAF Cities will empower communities to invest in their own futures through cross-sector collaboration and create measurable impacts.
1. Building on the work of our Seattle and New York City Safety Studies, TAAF and cross-sector partners conduct research to identify and drive awareness of the most pressing needs facing AAPI communities in key cities.
2. We will then bring together local community, government, business, media and nonprofit leaders to design innovative solutions and partnerships to meet the needs of residents, with a focus on supporting safety and economic revitalization.
Seattle
Seattle, a major cultural and economic hub with some of the nation’s oldest and most vibrant AAPI communities, was chosen to kickstart the TAAF Cities initiative. Our work recently began in the Chinatown-International District (C-ID), one of Seattle's most historic and culturally rich neighborhoods.
On May 14, 2025, TAAF joined the City of Seattle, Amazon and the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) to unveil the Chinatown-International District Ambassadors Program to improve neighborhood safety and support economic revitalization in the C-ID. Made possible by a $1 million combined investment over two years from the City of Seattle and TAAF, the program will train ambassadors to serve Japantown, Chinatown, and Little Saigon—assisting small businesses, welcoming visitors, and fostering a safer, more vibrant neighborhood.
Updates
May 14, 2025: City of Seattle, TAAF, Amazon, and CIDBIA Announce New Ambassadors Program to Improve Neighborhood Safety and Support Economic Revitalization in the Chinatown-International District
January 30, 2026: Impact Update on TAAF Cities: Seattle, CIDBIA Secures Additional Funding
New York City
Home to some of the largest, most diverse, and fastest-growing AAPI populations in the country, New York City also boasts a thriving AAPI business community. According to 2023 estimates, AAPI-owned businesses generate $72 billion in annual revenue, employ over 327,000 people, and contribute approximately $13 billion in annual payroll for the city.
On March 10, 2026, TAAF joined the Social Justice Fund, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (Renaissance), and the State of New York to launch the NYC Elevating Business Loan Program, a $5.5 million initiative to expand access to affordable capital for entrepreneurs and small businesses across New York City’s five boroughs. Learn more about the initiative here.
Updates
March 10, 2026: The Social Justice Fund, The Asian American Foundation, Renaissance, and the State of New York Announce $5.5 Million Initiative to Fuel NYC Small Business Growth
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Media inquiries about the TAAF Cities initiative can be directed to press@taaf.org.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, safety and economic issues remain top of mind for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities – especially those in major metropolitan areas. To address these challenges, “TAAF Cities” will spur historic public and private investments that strengthen cities with large AAPI populations.
TAAF Cities will empower communities to invest in their own futures through cross-sector collaboration and create measurable impacts.
1. Building on the work of our Seattle and New York City Safety Studies, TAAF and cross-sector partners conduct research to identify and drive awareness of the most pressing needs facing AAPI communities in key cities.
2. We will then bring together local community, government, business, media and nonprofit leaders to design innovative solutions and partnerships to meet the needs of residents, with a focus on supporting safety and economic revitalization.
Seattle
Seattle, a major cultural and economic hub with some of the nation’s oldest and most vibrant AAPI communities, was chosen to kickstart the TAAF Cities initiative. Our work recently began in the Chinatown-International District (C-ID), one of Seattle's most historic and culturally rich neighborhoods.
On May 14, 2025, TAAF joined the City of Seattle, Amazon and the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) to unveil the Chinatown-International District Ambassadors Program to improve neighborhood safety and support economic revitalization in the C-ID. Made possible by a $1 million combined investment over two years from the City of Seattle and TAAF, the program will train ambassadors to serve Japantown, Chinatown, and Little Saigon—assisting small businesses, welcoming visitors, and fostering a safer, more vibrant neighborhood.
Updates
May 14, 2025: City of Seattle, TAAF, Amazon, and CIDBIA Announce New Ambassadors Program to Improve Neighborhood Safety and Support Economic Revitalization in the Chinatown-International District
January 30, 2026: Impact Update on TAAF Cities: Seattle, CIDBIA Secures Additional Funding
New York City
Home to some of the largest, most diverse, and fastest-growing AAPI populations in the country, New York City also boasts a thriving AAPI business community. According to 2023 estimates, AAPI-owned businesses generate $72 billion in annual revenue, employ over 327,000 people, and contribute approximately $13 billion in annual payroll for the city.
On March 10, 2026, TAAF joined the Social Justice Fund, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (Renaissance), and the State of New York to launch the NYC Elevating Business Loan Program, a $5.5 million initiative to expand access to affordable capital for entrepreneurs and small businesses across New York City’s five boroughs. Learn more about the initiative here.