Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute

What Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute does

Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute (APALI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 by Dr. Michael Chang, the first Chinese American Mayor of Cupertino, to develop civic-minded leaders within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, APALI operates a portfolio of leadership development programs including the Youth Leadership Academy (since 1999), Summer Internship Program (since 2004), Civic Leadership Program (since 2007), Board Leadership Academy (launched 2022), SLAY Student Leadership Academy for Young Adults, a Public Officials Fellows Network of over 90 elected officials, and an Alumni Network of more than 500 active members. Programs are delivered via a hybrid model combining virtual sessions (Zoom) with in-person workshops and retreats at venues such as Cupertino Creekside Park Community Center.

APALI's revenue model is primarily donation-based, supplemented by program registration fees, an annual benefit dinner (which raised over $81,000 in 2025), and optional alumni memberships starting at $10 per month. The organization employs approximately 8 staff members and is governed by a board that includes former elected officials, attorneys, and CPAs. Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on alumni referrals, an email newsletter, the APALI website, and signature events including the Annual Gala, Spring and Fall Public Officials Retreats, and the Silicon Valley API Civic Leadership Summit. APALI has recently expanded its reach through strategic partnerships with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and the Foundation for California Community Colleges, growing SLAY from 16 to 51 community colleges and launching the TALA fellowship.

Name

Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute

Legal name

Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute

Website

https://apali.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

APALI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that develops civic-minded AANHPI leaders through programs spanning youth, college, board, and elected-official cohorts in California, funded primarily by donations and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Leadership Development

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education (EDAAAEAI), Volunteer Management & Alumni Leadership Programs (EDALAOAH)

Keywords

• Civic leadership training
• Nonprofit governance education
• Community leadership development
• AAPI civic engagement
• Board leadership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cupertino, CA

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: APALI generates revenue primarily through donations, with annual benefit dinners and fundraising events. The 2025 benefit dinner raised over $81,000 for leadership programs. The organization offers general donations and monthly donor programs.
2. Alumni Membership Fees: APALI offers paid alumni memberships starting at $10 per month, providing an ongoing revenue stream from program graduates who wish to support and stay connected to the APALI community.
3. Program Registration Fees: Programs include registration fees with early bird discounts available. For example, BLA 2026 offered a $100 Early Bird Discount for applications before August 31, 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

APALI develops and delivers civic leadership development programs for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community. Its core offerings include the Board Leadership Academy (a six-week hybrid program for current and aspiring nonprofit/public board members), the Civic Leadership Program (annual cohort for community leaders since 2007), SLAY (Student Leadership Academy for Young Adults, including the TALA fellowship), and the Public Officials Fellows Network (90+ elected officials). The organization also operates an Alumni Network of 500+ active members and supporting Youth Leadership Academy and Summer Internship Program tracks.

Product overview

APALI offers a suite of leadership development programs designed to build civic-minded leaders within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The core programs include: the Board Leadership Academy (a six-week hybrid program for nonprofit/public board members), the Civic Leadership Program (an annual cohort program for community leaders since 2007), SLAY (Student Leadership Academy for Young Adults offering statewide college student programming including the TALA fellowship), the Public Official Fellows Network (over 90 elected officials), and the Alumni Network (500+ active members). Supporting programs include the Youth Leadership Academy and Summer Internship Program. Together, these programs create a comprehensive pipeline from youth through senior leadership, combining innovative training, community building, and cross-generational engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SLAY: Student Leadership Academy for Young Adults - a program expanding college student opportunities for Asian American and Pacific Islander students.
• Board Leadership Academy
• Civic Leadership Program

Products and services

• Board Leadership Academy (BLA) A six-week online hybrid program preparing current and aspiring nonprofit/public board members to serve immediately on nonprofit boards using value-based leadership and knowledge of the AANHPI community and California nonprofit law. Applications submitted via JotForm.
• Civic Leadership Program (CLP) Annual cohort program since 2007 gathering community leaders and advocates to further civic involvement, discover authentic leadership styles, and expand networks to become effective leaders and advocates.
• SLAY - Student Leadership Academy for Young Adults Statewide college student leadership program expanding across California community colleges. Empowers Asian American and Pacific Islander students through leadership training, mentorship, civic conferences, and the TALA (Thriving AANHPI Leadership Accelerator) fellowship.
• Public Official Fellows Network A network of over 90 elected officials convening to build community, promote mutual support among public officials, and further leadership effectiveness through semi-annual retreats, annual summits (including the Silicon Valley API Civic Leadership Summit), and networking.
• Alumni Network A community of over 500 active alumni providing networking, mentoring, training, recruiting, and service activities to support continued civic leadership journeys; offers paid membership starting at $10 per month.
• Youth Leadership Academy Program established in 1999 for students to develop cultural/identity awareness, personal leadership, and explore community empowerment and civic career options.
• Summer Internship Program Program developed in 2004 for college students to learn through leading the Youth Leadership Academy.
• TALA Fellowship Two-year pilot fellowship in partnership with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) for 50 college students, championing economic mobility and holistic well-being for underrepresented AANHPI college students as part of SLAY.

Quantifiable outcome

• Leadership confidence increased from 60% to 86% among participants at inaugural NorCal AANHPI Student Leadership Conference
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Foundation for California Community CollegescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Landmark partnership enabling SLAY to expand leadership development across 51 community colleges. APALI is designing a new student leadership curriculum to launch in 2027 following staff webinars in May 2026.
• The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with TAAF to recruit 50 college students for the Thriving AANHPI Leadership Accelerator (TALA) fellowship. This two-year pilot program champions economic mobility and holistic well-being for underrepresented AANHPI college students, expanding APALI's reach in higher education.
• De Anza CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Long-standing partnership host for APALI's Youth Leadership Academy since 1999 and Summer Internship Program since 2004. Will host the 2026 annual SLAY conference and training.
• Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)minorOthersAACI is the largest healthcare nonprofit serving the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander community in Santa Clara County. Board member Johnson Fong serves on AACI's board.
• Vasconcellos Institute for Democracy in ActionminorOthersCo-founded by Hon. Mayra Cruz, APALI's Civic Leadership Program Director, as a democracy and civic engagement initiative.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA): National coalition advocating for AAPI civic and political participation across more than 40 member organizations. Comparable to APALI in promoting AAPI civic representation, though operates as an umbrella advocacy coalition.
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice: National AAPI civil rights organization with advocacy, legal, and leadership programs. Larger and more established than APALI with broader geographic and issue-area coverage, but shares the AAPI civic empowerment mission.

Direct peers

• Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA): Nonprofit promoting civic engagement, political participation, and leadership among AAPI communities through voter engagement, candidate training, and youth programs. Directly comparable to APALI's pipeline-building mission.
• OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates: National AAPI advocacy organization promoting civic participation, leadership, and representation across Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Directly comparable in mission around AAPI civic engagement and pipeline development.
• Japanese American Citizens League: The oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the U.S., focused on civic advocacy, leadership development, and community empowerment for Japanese Americans. Directly comparable to APALI as an AAPI-focused civic leadership nonprofit with a long history.
• Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP): Nonprofit focused on leadership development and education for Asian Pacific Americans through programs and training. Highly comparable to APALI's Civic Leadership Program and Board Leadership Academy in format and target audience.
• National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP): National nonprofit providing leadership development, professional networking, and community engagement for Asian American professionals. Directly comparable to APALI's adult professional leadership programming.

Regional players

• Chinese for Affirmative Action: San Francisco-based AAPI civil rights organization focused on advocacy, civic engagement, and community empowerment. Comparable to APALI in regional AAPI civic leadership focus, particularly in Northern California.
• Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN): Regional nonprofit membership supporting the Silicon Valley nonprofit sector through advocacy, capacity building, and leadership programs. Comparable to APALI as a regional nonprofit civic intermediary with overlapping partner networks.

Emerging players

• The Asian American Foundation (TAAF): Recently established national foundation mobilizing resources for AAPI communities. Currently a strategic partner of APALI for the TALA fellowship; comparable as a funder and emerging coordinator in the AAPI civic space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/svapali

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute