Asian American Federation

What Asian American Federation does

Asian American Federation (AAF), founded in 1989, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit umbrella leadership organization headquartered in New York City that funds, serves, and advocates on behalf of 70+ community-based member agencies supporting 2.1 million Asian Americans across NYC, New York State, and (per the data) New Jersey. AAF operates as a hybrid direct-service provider and intermediary/pass-through funder, investing $15 million in FY2024 across 77 community-based organizations, and operates programmatically across five pillars: research and data (Census Information Center, AAF Data Center launched 2025); community safety (Hope Against Hate Campaign, PATH partner network including AAFE, AMPHS, ISS, KAFSC, SACSS, UA3, and Nonviolent Peaceforce); mental health (Asian Mental Health Directory with 400 providers speaking 19 Asian languages, Asian Mental Health Hub in 8 languages launched 2025); economic empowerment (Small Business Support Program serving 400+ small businesses annually); and civic engagement (Ballot Builder: Vote Smarter, Asian voter guides). AAF also launched United in Speech Co-op NY in March 2026, the nation's first worker cooperative for Asian language interpreters.

AAF's revenue model is a standard diversified nonprofit mix: individual donations (online, recurring, securities, ACH), foundation and corporate grants, government contracts and pass-through funding (NYC SBS, NYS ESD, NYC EDC, NYC DOT, plus the $30M NY State Budget secured via the AAPI Equity Budget Coalition), and event-based fundraising centered on the annual Impact Awards Gala, which prices individual tickets at $750 and corporate sponsorships from $2,500 to $50,000. The organization is run by CEO Catherine Chen (former Polaris CEO; Stanford and Columbia MPH) and COO Huong Pham, with a board chaired by Kim Lee, and holds a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating and Platinum Transparency Seal from Candid. Outputs in FY2024 included 5,499 individuals trained in safety techniques, 2,310 connected to victim services, 4,130 youth reached, 484 protective accompaniment services, 11,814 low-income and immigrant New Yorkers receiving mental health support, and over 400 small businesses served.

Name

Asian American Federation

Legal name

Asian American Federation

Website

https://aafederation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Founded in 1989, the Asian American Federation is a New York City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit umbrella organization that funds, serves, and advocates for 70+ member community-based agencies supporting 2.1 million Asian Americans in New York, New York State, and New Jersey through research, mental health, community safety, small business, and civic engagement programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Social Services and Community Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Community advocacy services
• Nonprofit umbrella organization
• Social services research
• Policy advocacy campaigns
• Community safety programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization raises funds from individual donors through online donation portals, recurring gifts, check payments, wire/ACH transfers, and donating securities. Donations support community safety programs such as the Hope Against Hate Campaign, mental health services, research, and advocacy work.
2. Grants and Government Funding: AAF receives grants from private foundations and government agencies. In FY2024, AAF invested $15 million in more than 77 community-based organizations. The organization also secured $30 million in New York State Budget funding for AAPI communities through the AAPI Equity Budget Coalition.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: AAF partners with corporations through corporate gifts, grants, sponsorships, and presentations/webinars on issues affecting the Asian American community. The annual Impact Awards Gala features tiered sponsorships ranging from $2,500 to $50,000.
4. Gala and Event Revenue: AAF holds an annual Impact Awards Gala. Sponsorships, ads, and individual tickets are sold, with ticket prices at $750 per individual and various sponsorship tiers up to $50,000 for presenting sponsor.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Asian American Federation (AAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit umbrella leadership organization that funds, serves, and advocates on behalf of 70+ community-based member agencies serving 2.1 million Asian Americans in New York. AAF delivers research-driven advocacy, direct service programs (Asian Mental Health Directory and Hub, Hope Against Hate community safety, small business technical assistance, civic engagement and voter education, immigration resources, and senior support), and policy advocacy on behalf of the pan-Asian American community.

Product overview

The Asian American Federation (AAF) is a nonprofit umbrella leadership organization that provides a portfolio of community-focused programs and services for Asian Americans in New York. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected services rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include the Asian Mental Health Directory and Asian Mental Health Hub for mental health support; a Data Center and Census Information Center for research and demographic analysis; the Hope Against Hate Campaign and Community Safety Program for anti-hate and safety services; Small Business Support Program for economic empowerment; Immigration Resources and Civic Engagement programs including Ballot Builder for voter education; and United in Speech Co-op NY for language access. These services are provided through community-based outreach, partnerships with 70+ member organizations, and online resources rather than a software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Asian Mental Health Hub: Mental health resources and worksheets translated into 8 Asian languages
• Hope Against Hate Campaign
• United in Speech Co-op NY
• Asian Mental Health Directory

Products and services

• Asian Mental Health Directory A directory connecting people to therapists who speak their languages and understand their cultures. The first one of its kind, with 400 providers who combined speak 19 different Asian languages. For Asian American community members seeking mental health support.
• Asian Mental Health Hub Free mental health worksheets and resources translated into multiple Asian languages (8 languages available) to support Asian American mental health. For Asian American community members seeking self-guided mental health support.
• Data Center A first-of-its-kind platform for in-depth analysis on the Asian American community, providing research and demographic data. For researchers, policymakers, journalists, and community organizations.
• Hope Against Hate Campaign Community safety initiative providing free self-defense and safety classes, victim services, and protective presence and accompaniment services to combat anti-Asian hate. For vulnerable Asian American community members including seniors and youth.
• Community Safety Program Program that trains individuals in safety techniques, connects people to victim services, provides outreach to youth, and offers protective presence and accompaniment services. For Asian American community members facing safety concerns.
• Small Business Support Program Technical assistance program providing help with business development, regulatory compliance, language assistance, financial resources, and marketing support for Asian American small business owners. Serves over 400 small businesses annually.
• Census Information Center Resources, data, and support for census participation, empowering communities to make informed decisions. For Asian American community members and organizations seeking demographic data.
• Immigration Resources Resources to help keep loved ones safe in immigration emergencies and stay informed on policies that specifically affect Asian New Yorkers. For immigrant Asian American community members and families.
• Civic Engagement Program Resources for learning how to play an active role in the civic life of NYC, including voter education tools and Asian Voter Guides available in multiple Asian languages. For Asian American community members seeking civic participation resources.
• Ballot Builder: Vote Smarter Voter education tool available in eight Asian languages to help voters find information about candidates running for mayor, public advocate, comptroller, and other positions. For Asian American voters in New York.
• United in Speech Co-op NY
• Research Reports and Briefs Research reports and briefs that draw attention to the needs of Asian American communities in NYC, including ethnic and geographic profiles. For policymakers, journalists, and community organizations.
• Nonprofit Support Services Programs including Executive Director and Deputy Director Support Programs, Leaders in Training Program, and Nonprofit Support Workshops for organizational development. For member nonprofit organizations and their leaders.
• Seniors Program Support services for Asian seniors, including the Seniors Working Group with 12 organizations serving approximately 125,000 low-income seniors annually. For low-income Asian American seniors in New York.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,499 individuals trained in safety techniques; 2,310 connected to victim services; 4,130 youth reached; 484 protective accompaniment services provided in FY2024
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

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

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Nonviolent PeaceforcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonviolent Peaceforce works alongside AAF's community safety programs, teaching unarmed civilian protection techniques to communities. They partner on AAF's Hope Against Hate Campaign to provide safety trainings and Community Companion programs.
• AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPATH partner providing community safety services. Contact: Ling Ren ([email protected], 212-358-9922). One of AAF's partner organizations in the Hope Against Hate Campaign.
• AMPHS (Apne AAP Maternal and Child Health Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPATH partner serving Brooklyn. Contact: Kanako Kawabe ([email protected], 212-256-9036). Provides community safety and health services as part of AAF's PATH network.
• ISS (Immigrant Social Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPATH partner serving Manhattan. Contact: [email protected] (212-571-1840). Provides community safety services as part of AAF's Hope Against Hate Campaign.
• KAFSC (Korean American Family Service Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPATH partner serving Queens and all of New York State. Contact: [email protected]. Provides community safety and family services as part of AAF's PATH network.
• SACSS (South Asian Council for Social Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPATH partner serving Queens. Contacts: Mary Archana Fernandez ([email protected]), Rehan Mehmood ([email protected]). Provides community safety and social services as part of AAF's Hope Against Hate Campaign.
• UA3, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPATH partner serving Brooklyn (Bensonhurst). Contacts: Chi Loek ([email protected], 917-697-2842), Angel Wu ([email protected]). Provides community safety and combatting food insecurity services as part of AAF's PATH network.
• AAPI Equity Budget CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of AAPI organizations that successfully advocated for $30 million in New York State Budget funding for AAPI communities. AAF played a key role in this coalition's advocacy efforts.
• NYC EDC (NYC Economic Development Corporation)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer partner for Flushing Small Business Assistance Program. NYC EDC previously collaborated with AAF on economic development initiatives for Asian-owned small businesses.
• NYC SBS (NYC Small Business Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent funder and partner for AAF's small business technical assistance program. NYC SBS provides funding and resources for AAF's work supporting Asian small business owners in NYC.
• NYC DOTsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting AAF's small business program and commercial corridor revitalization projects, including the Murray Hill (Koreatown) revitalization efforts.
• Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (BKA)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal partner for AAF's Commercial Lease Assistance program, providing qualified legal counsel to small business owners regarding lease negotiation, landlord conflicts, and rent increases.
• United for Small Businesses NYC (USBnyc) CoalitionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner supporting AAF's small business technical assistance program for immigrant and Asian-owned small businesses.
• Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with AAF on the 2025 NYC Asian American Exit Poll, reporting on Asian American voter preferences and issues in the 2025 New York City election.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates: National AAPI civil rights and advocacy organization founded in 1973, with chapters across multiple states. Operates at national scale and through chapter affiliates; comparable to AAF in its pan-Asian advocacy positioning but with broader geographic and policy footprint than AAF's NY concentration.
• The Asian American Foundation (TAAF): National AAPI philanthropic foundation and AAF's Visionary Sponsor at the 2026 Impact Awards Gala. Much larger geographic scope (national vs. NY-only) and a funder rather than direct service provider, but overlapping mission to advance AAPI well-being through research, narrative, and grantmaking.
• United Way of New York City: Established NY-wide umbrella nonprofit that raises and distributes funds to a network of community-based service providers, with a marquee annual fundraising event. Closest structural analog to AAF's federation-of-agencies and pass-through-grantmaking model in New York, but with a general (not AAPI-specific) mission.

Direct peers

• Hispanic Federation: NY-based umbrella advocacy and service intermediary for Hispanic/Latino community-based organizations. Closest structural analog to AAF - representative + capacity-building + grantmaking to a network of member agencies and a marquee annual gala - but serving a different pan-ethnic constituency.
• Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF): NY-based national AAPI legal advocacy organization working on immigration, voting rights, and civil rights - AAF's explicit 2025 NYC Asian American Exit Poll partner. Narrower (legal-only) but overlapping target population and policy-advocacy posture.
• CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities: NYC-based AAPI grassroots organizing and advocacy group working on housing, anti-displacement, and immigrant rights. A long-standing peer organization to AAF focused on the same pan-Asian NY community, with a stronger organizing/tenant-rights orientation and narrower service-delivery footprint.
• New York Immigration Coalition: NY-wide umbrella policy and advocacy organization for 200+ immigrant-serving member groups. Closely comparable to AAF as an immigrant-focused NY intermediary that combines research, advocacy, member capacity-building, and civic engagement, with broader immigrant (not specifically AAPI) constituency.
• Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE): NY-based community development nonprofit serving Asian Americans with housing, small business, and immigrant integration programs. Listed as an AAF PATH partner and runs an overlapping economic empowerment / small business / immigrant services portfolio targeting the same New York AAPI population.
• Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF): NY-based pan-Asian nonprofit that advocates and builds capacity among member agencies serving AAPI children and families. Closest direct analog to AAF's umbrella-of-AAPI-orgs model in New York, focused on a narrower population (youth/families) but with similar research-and-policy-advocacy operating model.

Others

• Japanese American Citizens League (JACL): Long-standing (1929) AAPI heritage and civil rights organization with chapters nationwide. Thematically related to AAF through its AAPI advocacy, civil rights defense, and community-education mission, but narrower (Japanese American focus) and not operationally comparable in NY service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/asianamericanfederation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asian-american-federation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Asian American Federation