Chinese Historical and Cultural Project

What Chinese Historical and Cultural Project does

Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and headquartered at History Park in San Jose, California. The organization promotes, educates, and preserves Chinese and Chinese American history and culture for the people of Silicon Valley, primarily operating the Chinese American Historical Museum housed in the replicated 1888 Ng Shing Gung temple. CHCP is governed entirely by volunteers (headcount 1-10, volunteer-only), with no paid staff, and is supported by an advisory board and an active Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP). The organization plays a leading civic role in commemorating San Jose's lost Chinatowns and was instrumental in securing the 2020 Heinlenville Park naming and the 2021 San Jose City Council apology.

CHCP's core product is the museum itself, augmented by a portfolio of educational and community programs: the Lillian Gong-Guy Memorial Scholarship ($1,000-$2,000 awards to Chinese-descent high school seniors), the WWII Veterans oral history and documentary project, traveling exhibits, a virtual library on Google Cultural Institute, AR-based heritage tours in partnership with the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, and the Chinatown Archaeology initiative. Underlying technology is modest: Wild Apricot membership software for website and member management, third-party AR-vos app integration for augmented reality exhibits, and standard virtual tour/slideshow platforms. Content assets include the award-winning Home Base documentary by Oscar winner Jessica Yu, original 1888 gilded altar artifacts, and over 200 Chinese American WWII military artifacts from the Montgomery Hom collection.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure combining membership dues (annual subscription), tax-deductible donations, event revenue (Living History Day $5-$10, gala tickets $200/individual), grants (incoming and outgoing), scholarship sponsorship, and small internship stipends ($1,000-$1,500). Go-to-market is community-led through library partnerships, school outreach, traveling exhibits, press coverage in local outlets (NBC Bay Area, ABC7, San Jose Mercury News), and a Wild Apricot-powered website. Customer segments are diverse and fragmented: general community members, students, educators, genealogy researchers, WWII veteran families, and institutional partners such as History San José, SCCLD, CHSA, and AIISF. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

Chinese Historical and Cultural Project

Legal name

Chinese Historical and Cultural Project

Website

https://chcp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit in San Jose that operates the Chinese American Historical Museum and runs educational, scholarship, and community programs preserving Chinese and Chinese American history for Silicon Valley.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage Museum and Community Education Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Historical Sites (712120), Museums (71211)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Cultural heritage preservation
• Community history museum
• Educational outreach programs
• Chinese American history
• Cultural education services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership program with various levels. Members receive benefits including discounted event admissions and free attendance at membership dinners.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting Chinese American history preservation and education.
3. Event Revenue: Some events require paid admission, including Living History Day ($5-$10), film screenings, and special programs.
4. Grants: CHCP awards grants for historical and cultural projects. In 2001, awarded $8,500 grant to History San José for third edition of Chinatown San Jose USA book.
5. Scholarship Program: Lillian Gong-Guy Memorial Scholarship awards $1,000-$2,000 to high school seniors of Chinese descent. 57 scholarships awarded over 10 years to 22 high schools.
6. Internship Stipends: Student internship program with stipends of $1,000-$1,500 for college students working on museum docent duties and special projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CHCP operates the Chinese American Historical Museum in the historic Ng Shing Gung building at History Park in San Jose, providing exhibits and educational programming on Chinese and Chinese American history and culture in the Santa Clara Valley. The organization supplements its museum operations with community outreach events, traveling exhibits, educational seminars, the Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP), the Lillian Gong-Guy Memorial Scholarship, oral history projects (including the WWII Veterans Project), and a virtual library of digital resources. All programs are delivered by an entirely volunteer-run team.

Product overview

The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) is a nonprofit organization that operates primarily as a museum and educational institution rather than a technology product company. Its core offering is the Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM), housed in the historic Ng Shing Gung building at History Park in San Jose. The organization supplements its museum with educational programs including a Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP), Traveling Exhibit, Virtual Library, WWII Veterans Project, and Chinatown Archaeology Project. Additional offerings include the Lillian Gong-Guy Memorial Scholarship for high school seniors, documentary films such as 'Home Base: A Chinatown Called Heinlenville,' and community outreach events. The organization uses Wild Apricot membership software to manage operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ng Shing Gung: Temple of the Five Gods - historic replica building now housing the Chinese American Historical Museum
• Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM)
• Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP)
• Lillian Gong-Guy Memorial Scholarship

Products and services

• Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM) A museum housed in the Ng Shing Gung building at History Park in San Jose, showcasing exhibits depicting the history and culture of Chinese and Chinese Americans in the Santa Clara Valley. Features the original 1888 gilded altar, statues of five gods, and the award-winning 'Home Base' video documentary. Open most Saturdays 12:00–3:45 PM with free admission. For the general public, families, students, and cultural enthusiasts.
• Traveling Exhibit Program A mobile exhibition program that brings Chinese American history and culture to schools, community centers, libraries, and events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For educational institutions, community organizations, and event organizers seeking Chinese American history programming.
• Virtual Library An online resource providing educational materials, historical documents, oral history recordings, cemetery records, and research resources related to Chinese and Chinese American history. Accessible worldwide via chcp.org. For genealogy researchers, students, and educators.
• WWII Veterans Project An oral history project documenting the stories and contributions of Chinese American World War II veterans, including film production (e.g., 'Our Story of War and Remembrance') and archival documentation. For veterans, families, historians, and the general public.
• Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP) An experiential learning and youth development program for high school and college students to serve as museum docents, assist with educational projects, research, digital storytelling, and community outreach activities. Stipends of $1,000–$1,500 available for college interns. For high school and college students, particularly those of Chinese descent.
• Lillian Gong-Guy Memorial Scholarship A scholarship program awarding $1,000 to $2,000 to Santa Clara County high school seniors of Chinese descent who demonstrate academic achievement and community involvement. 57 scholarships awarded over 10 years to students from 22 high schools. For high school seniors of Chinese descent in Santa Clara County.
• Chinatown Archaeology Project Research and archaeological documentation of historic Chinatown sites in San Jose, including the Market Street Chinatown and five historic Chinatowns of San Jose documented in the Heinlenville Park memory walk. For historians, researchers, and the general public.
• Heritage Education Link Program (HELP) Grants Funding opportunities for educational projects promoting Chinese and Chinese American heritage, including the Heritage Education Link Program (HELP). CHCP also awards community grants, such as the $8,500 grant to History San José in 2001 for a new edition of the Chinatown, San Jose, USA book. For educational institutions and project-based community initiatives.
• Community Cultural Events Regular community events including Lunar New Year celebrations, Ching Ming cemetery ceremonies, Da Jui festivals, Living History Day, film screenings, speaker series, and cultural festivals held at the museum and partner venues throughout Silicon Valley. For the general public, members, and community supporters.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership program with multiple tiers providing benefits including discounted event admission, free attendance at membership dinners, and participation in organizational governance meetings. For individual community members and supporters of Chinese American heritage preservation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 57 scholarships awarded to students from 22 high schools over 10 years
• +2 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Japanese American Museum of San JosecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHCP is a supporting partner for the Hidden Histories of San Jose Japantown project, which uses augmented reality technology to reveal hidden historical artworks in Japantown. CHCP's contribution supports the cultural documentation of Asian American history in the region.
• History San JosécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with History San José for museum operations at History Park. CHCP operates Chinese American Historical Museum in the Ng Shing Gung building on History Park grounds. Joint events including Living History Day, Lunar New Year celebrations, and fundraising galas.
• Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for educational seminars on Chinese American genealogy, military records, and history. Library hosts CHCP presentations and author talks throughout the year.
• Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative exhibitions including 'Towards Equality: California's Chinese American Women' virtual exhibit. Joint film screenings and educational programs. CHSA Museum in San Francisco hosts related exhibitions.
• Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative Gateways in Dialogue series with Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. Joint webinars on immigration history featuring AIISF educational programming.
• South Bay Historic Chinese American Cemetery Corporation (SBHCACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Ching Ming ceremony programs honoring early Chinese pioneers. CHCP sponsors cemetery events and presents ceremonial offerings. SDCAP members participate in ingot-making and ceremony activities.
• American Legion Cathay Post 384coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Chinatown to Battleground' exhibition showcasing Chinese American military service. CHCP co-sponsored exhibition at Veterans Building in San Francisco featuring over 200 military artifacts.
• Chinese American GI ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by CHCP Advisory Board Member Ron Chan. Documentary film 'Our Story of War and Remembrance: Chinese American WWII Veterans of the China-Burma-India Theatre' produced through this initiative.
• Bay Area Libraries (Various)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with multiple Bay Area libraries including Los Altos, Saratoga, Morgan Hill, Cupertino, Gilroy, Castro Valley, and others for free seminars on genealogy and military records research.
• Avenidas Chinese Community Center (ACCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint cultural celebrations including Mother's Day and AAPI Heritage Month events. ACCC hosts virtual tea ceremonies and cultural presentations featuring CHCP involvement.
• Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCHCP community sponsorship of CATS AAPI Playwright Festival and related theater events. Joint programming for cultural awareness.
• Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCHCP is a community sponsor for the annual film festival showcasing Asian American Pacific Islander filmmakers.
• Committee of 100 (C100)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecial museum tours for C100 conference attendees and members. Joint programming connecting Chinese American historical heritage with contemporary business leadership.
• Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP) ParticipantscoreOthersYouth development program engaging high school and college students as museum docents and cultural ambassadors. Students receive training and serve as guides for museum visitors.
• Hidden Histories AR Art ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAR-vos app developed by Tamiko Thiel and Peter Graf. Project funded by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in collaboration with Microsoft.
• History San JosécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored 'Chinatown to Battleground' exhibition featuring Chinese American military artifacts and history.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CHCPorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chinese-historical-and-cultural-project-of-santa-clara-county-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Chinese Historical and Cultural Project