What APCF does

APCF (Asian Pacific Community Fund of Southern California) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community foundation headquartered in Los Angeles that intermediates philanthropic capital into Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities across the ten counties of Southern California. Founded in 1990 by AANHPI community leaders in response to documented underfunding of AANHPI-serving agencies, APCF sustains and grows a network of 85 vetted nonprofit agencies that deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate services in 41 API languages plus English and Spanish to over 1.57 million people annually, more than 80% of whom are low-income.

Its product platform spans donor services (Donor-Advised Funds with a 1.5% annual fee on balances and a $150/year minimum; multiple Giving Circles including the flagship APC Giving Circle and Firecracker Fund), grantmaking (Operating Grants of $5,000–$15,000, plus themed grant rounds), scholarship administration (over $400,000 in 2026 scholarships sponsored by partners such as Cathay Bank Foundation and Chao Family Foundation), and capacity-building programming (workshops, the Board Leadership Program co-led with the Asian American Professional Association, and biannual Meet the Funders events co-hosted with AAPIP-LA). Recurring revenue is generated through DAF administration fees, scholarship administration fees, event-driven fundraising (the 36th Annual Gala in 2026), and workplace giving payroll-deduction campaigns routed through municipal and corporate employer partners including the City of Los Angeles, LA County, Kaiser Permanente, SoCal Edison, LAUSD, SoCalGas, and MTA.

APCF's underlying technology stack is conventional nonprofit infrastructure — a Squarespace website, contact forms, and standard back-office tools — with no proprietary platform, no AI components, and no patents. The moat is relational and ecosystem-based rather than technological: 36 years of community trust, an intermediary position between 85 nonprofits and institutional donors, exclusive positioning as the only AANHPI-serving community fund in Southern California, and recognition via Candid's Platinum Seal of Transparency (2025).

Name

APCF

Legal name

Asian Pacific Community Fund of Southern California

Website

https://apcf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

APCF is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) community foundation that intermediates philanthropic capital into a network of 85 AANHPI-serving nonprofits across Southern California through donor-advised funds, workplace giving, scholarships, and direct grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Philanthropy and Nonprofit Capacity Building

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Federated Giving Organizations (e.g., United Way-type) (BPAGAKAG), Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD)

Keywords

• Community philanthropy fund
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Donor-advised fund administration
• Nonprofit capacity building
• AANHPI community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Workplace Giving Campaigns: APCF serves as the administrator for workplace giving campaigns at partner companies and government agencies. Employees make charitable contributions through payroll deductions, which are then distributed to APCF's network of 85 nonprofit agencies serving AANHPI communities. APCF acts as a pass-through organization collecting and distributing donations.
2. Donor-Advised Fund Administration: APCF administers donor-advised funds with a 1.5% annual fee assessed monthly on fund balances, with a minimum annual cost of $150. Donors contribute a minimum of $1,000 to establish a DAF and can recommend grants to eligible charitable organizations up to 10 times per year at no charge.
3. Scholarship Fund Administration: APCF partners with corporate sponsors and family foundations to administer scholarship programs for college-bound students. APCF charges administrative fees for managing these scholarship funds and facilitating the application and disbursement process.
4. Annual Gala and Special Events: APCF hosts an annual fundraising gala (36th anniversary in 2026) that generates donations and sponsorships from corporate partners and individual supporters. The gala features corporate philanthropy awards and attracts diamond, gold, silver, emerald, and bronze sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

APCF operates a community philanthropy and nonprofit capacity-building platform serving the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community of Southern California. It runs workplace giving campaigns at partner companies and government agencies, administers donor-advised funds and giving circles, distributes grants and scholarships, and delivers free capacity building workshops plus a Board Leadership Program to a network of 85 AANHPI-serving nonprofit agencies. As the only AANHPI-focused fund in Southern California, it serves as the central intermediary between donors, employers, and the regional AANHPI nonprofit ecosystem.

Product overview

APCF is a nonprofit philanthropic organization operating as a unified platform with multiple interconnected programs serving AANHPI communities. The core infrastructure consists of the Network Agencies (85 member nonprofits receiving capacity building support) and Capacity Building Workshops that sustain the AANHPI nonprofit ecosystem. These connect to Donor Services including Donor-Advised Funds and Giving Circles, which aggregate philanthropic capital that flows through various grant programs (Operating Grants, Asian Pacific Community Giving Circle Grants, Firecracker Fund) and Scholarship Programs back to the community. The Board Leadership Program develops future nonprofit leaders, while Workplace Giving Campaigns and Meet the Funders events facilitate ongoing resource flow. The Annual Gala serves as the flagship fundraising event. Together, these products enable APCF to cultivate philanthropy and maximize charitable impact across Southern California's AANHPI communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Asian Pacific Community Giving Circle: A flagship Giving Circle launched in 2008 that combines contributions of board members and friends to offer grant awards. Has distributed over $145,000 to support almost 33 projects serving AANHPI communities.
• Firecracker Fund
• APAWLA Giving Circle
• Circle of Change
• LA API LGBTQ Dream Team

Products and services

• Network Agencies Program A curated network of more than 85 nonprofit organizations across Southern California delivering culturally appropriate services in 41 API languages plus English and Spanish to more than 1,570,000 people annually (over 80% low-income). APCF provides member agencies with grants, capacity building, technical assistance, fundraising partnerships, and marketing support.
• APCF Operating Grants Annual grants of $5,000 to $15,000 supporting ongoing operations of AANHPI nonprofits serving community members in need across APCF's 85-agency network.
• Donor-Advised Funds (DAF) Philanthropic vehicle allowing donors to centralize charitable contributions in one account with maximum tax advantages. Requires minimum $1,000 to establish, charges a 1.5% annual fee (minimum $150/year) assessed monthly, and includes up to 10 free grant distributions per calendar year. APCF staff provide guidance to donors seeking to direct giving to AANHPI-serving nonprofits.
• Giving Circles Pooled donor-advised funds where members contribute collectively to make larger thematic grants. Includes the Asian Pacific Community Giving Circle (over $145,000 distributed to ~33 projects since 2008), Firecracker Fund ($40,000 to 8 health/lifestyle projects since 2012), APAWLA Giving Circle (law student scholarships since March 2021), Circle of Change (since 2010), and LA API LGBTQ Dream Team. Collectively, APCF-administered Giving Circles have distributed over $527,000 to more than 100 nonprofits.
• Workplace Giving Campaigns Payroll deduction charitable giving programs operated at partner organizations including the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, City of Pasadena, DWP, Kaiser Permanente, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, LAUSD, and Metropolitan Transit Authority. Donations are collected and distributed to APCF's 85 AANHPI-serving nonprofit agencies.
• Capacity Building Workshops Free workshops for AANHPI nonprofit network agencies covering public speaking, marketing and social media, fundraising, program evaluation, board governance, strategic planning, and other operational topics, with cultural relevance designed specifically for the AANHPI nonprofit community.
• Board Leadership Program A six-month leadership development program co-led with the Asian American Professional Association since 2015 that trains future AANHPI nonprofit board members through sessions on governance, finance management, strategic planning, and fundraising, including optional board internships at partner nonprofits.
• Meet the Funders Biannual convenings (since 2016) co-hosted with AAPIP-LA that connect AANHPI nonprofits with funding sources, featuring panel discussions on funding priorities, eligibility criteria, and application tips, plus one-on-one sessions with funders.
• Asian Pacific Community Giving Circle Grants Annual grants to organizations serving underserved AANHPI communities throughout Greater Los Angeles County from the Asian Pacific Community Giving Circle. Yearly priorities have included mental health, youth leadership development, language access, bullying prevention, environmental justice, and financial literacy.
• Firecracker Fund Grants Annual grants administered since 2012 in partnership with the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee to support nonprofit programs promoting healthy lifestyles through nutrition and/or physical fitness among underserved AANHPIs in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
• Scholarship Programs Scholarship programs administered since 2011 on behalf of partner sponsors (Matt Fong AAPF Scholarship, Cathay Bank Foundation, Chao Family Foundation, Dragon Hearts Foundation, and others) for college-bound high school seniors and current college students, with over $400,000 available in the 2026 cycle.
• Annual Gala (Give for All Seasons Gala) Annual fundraising gala recognizing corporate philanthropy and AANHPI community leadership. Sponsorship tiers include Diamond, Gold, Silver, Emerald, and Bronze, with honorees and special guests such as former California State Treasurer John Chiang featured at recent events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,570,000+ people served annually in 41 API languages
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Asian American Professional AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leads and implements the Board Leadership Program with APCF since 2015. The six-month program develops trained leaders to serve on AANHPI nonprofit boards through sessions on governance, finance, strategic planning, and fundraising.
• AAPIP-LA (Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy - Los Angeles)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2016, AAPIP-LA and APCF collaborate to provide Meet the Funders events twice yearly, connecting AANHPI nonprofits with funders through panel discussions and one-on-one sessions.
• City of Los AngelesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMunicipal employer offering workplace giving campaign through which employees can contribute to APCF via payroll deductions.
• Los Angeles CountymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCounty government employer offering workplace giving campaign through which employees can contribute to APCF via payroll deductions.
• Kaiser Permanente Southern CaliforniamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare employer offering workplace giving campaign through which employees can contribute to APCF via payroll deductions.
• Southern California EdisonmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUtility company employer offering workplace giving campaign through which employees can contribute to APCF via payroll deductions. Also provides direct funding support.
• Los Angeles Unified School DistrictmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool district employer offering workplace giving campaign through which employees can contribute to APCF via payroll deductions.
• City of PasadenaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMunicipal employer offering workplace giving campaign through which employees can contribute to APCF via payroll deductions.
• Los Angeles Department of Water and PowerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMunicipal utility offering workplace giving campaign through which employees can contribute to APCF via payroll deductions.
• Southern California Gas CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUtility company employer offering workplace giving campaign through which employees can contribute to APCF via payroll deductions.
• Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransit authority employer offering workplace giving campaign through which employees can contribute to APCF via payroll deductions.
• Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2012, APCF has partnered with the Firecracker Run Committee to offer the Firecracker Fund grant annually to nonprofits promoting healthy lifestyles through nutrition and/or physical fitness among underserved AANHPIs in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
• 85 Network Nonprofit AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPCF sustains and grows a network of 85 nonprofit organizations serving AANHPI communities throughout Southern California, providing capacity building, grants, and collective advocacy.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP): A national membership organization mobilizing resources for AANHPI communities; APCF already co-hosts Meet the Funders events with AAPIP-LA, making it a directly comparable peer operating in AANHPI philanthropic intermediation.
• Asian American Federation: A pan-Asian American federation funding and supporting AANHPI-serving nonprofits, primarily in the New York region. Directly comparable as a regional AANHPI grantmaking and capacity-building intermediary.
• The Asian American Foundation (TAAF): A national AANHPI foundation that aggregates philanthropic capital and funds AANHPI-serving organizations. Comparable mission and beneficiary base, though TAAF operates at a national scale rather than regional.
• California Community Foundation: A major Los Angeles-based community foundation offering donor-advised funds, scholarships, and grants. Comparable as a regional grantmaking intermediary and DAF administrator, though at significantly larger scale and with broader scope.
• United Way of Greater Los Angeles: A federated giving organization running workplace giving campaigns across the same Los Angeles employer base. Highly comparable business model (pass-through workplace giving to vetted nonprofits) though broader beneficiary focus.
• APIA Scholars (Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund): A national nonprofit administering scholarships for AANHPI students. Directly comparable to APCF's scholarship administration program and overlapping donor and beneficiary base.

Regional players

• Orange County Community Foundation: A Southern California community foundation serving Orange County with grantmaking and DAF programs. Comparable as a regional community foundation with overlapping geographic footprint in the AANHPI-serving nonprofits APCF supports.
• Asian American Civic Association: A community-based nonprofit serving Asian Americans with education, workforce, and civic programs. Comparable as a regional AANHPI-serving intermediary, though operating on the East Coast.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/APCF

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about APCF