AAPI Civic Engagement Fund

What AAPI Civic Engagement Fund does

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund (AAPI Fund) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 that supports Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) civic participation through grantmaking, capacity building, and original research. The organization operates as one of the largest dedicated funders of AAPI movement-building organizations in the United States, with staff based primarily in Los Angeles, California, and a mailing address in Washington, DC (600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Unit 15845). In 2024, the Fund transitioned from a fiscally sponsored project to an independent 501(c)(3) entity, reflecting organizational maturation and structural independence.

Name

AAPI Civic Engagement Fund

Legal name

AAPI Civic Engagement Fund

Website

https://aapifund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 that funds AAPI-led civic engagement organizations through grants, capacity building, and original research across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Grantmaking Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Democracy, Voting Rights & Civic Participation Advocacy (BPAGAFAJ), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Philanthropic grantmaking
• Civic engagement funding
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Movement building support
• Community research

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity funded through tax-deductible donations from individual donors, foundations, and institutional investors. The Donor Advised Fund tax ID is 99-1393608. Donations are accepted online via ActBlue, by check, and through planned giving.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AAPI Civic Engagement Fund is a 501(c)(3) public charity that supports AAPI civic participation through grantmaking, capacity building, and research. It provides general operating grants to AAPI grassroots organizations, manages the Creative Catalyst Fellowship that awards $30,000 to individual artists, runs the Shared Liberation Network for peer learning, and conducts original research on AAPI civic engagement and public opinion.

Product overview

AAPI Civic Engagement Fund operates as a philanthropic organization offering a unified portfolio of grantmaking and capacity-building programs. The core offerings include: (1) Grantmaking Program providing general operating grants to AAPI organizations; (2) Creative Catalyst Fellowship awarding $30,000 to artists creating civic engagement art; (3) Capacity Building through training, technical assistance, and networking; (4) Research on AAPI civic participation; and (5) Movement Hub, an online resource platform. Supporting programs include the Anti-Racism and Intersectional Justice Fund ($50,000 grants), UPBUILD AAPI Grants ($100,000-$200,000), and the Shared Liberation Network for peer learning. All grantees join the Shared Liberation Network and receive technical assistance and convening opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Creative Catalyst Fellowship: Annual fellowship program supporting individual artist proposals that engage the public in critical issues impacting AAPIs and serve as catalysts for civic participation.
• Shared Liberation Network
• Anti-Racism and Intersectional Justice Fund
• UPBUILD AAPI

Products and services

• Grantmaking Program Provides general operating grants to AAPI grassroots organizations for civic engagement, racial justice, and movement building activities nationwide.
• Creative Catalyst Fellowship Annual fellowship program awarding $30,000 to individual AAPI artists to produce interdisciplinary art projects that engage the public in critical issues impacting AAPIs and serve as catalysts for civic participation.
• Anti-Racism and Intersectional Justice Fund One-year general operating grants of $50,000 to organizations responding to racism, xenophobia, and other forms of injustice through community support, advocacy, and cross-racial alliances.
• UPBUILD AAPI Grants General operating grants of $100,000 to $200,000 plus customized technical assistance for high-impact organizations advancing from the Anti-Racism cohort.
• Movement Hub Online resource platform providing tools, research, and strategic support for AAPI civic engagement organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of grantee organizations are women led, indicating strong leadership development.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2024Partnership with UCLA LPPI to release data briefs on AAPI civic participation. Released a joint Latino Data Hub brief titled 'AAPI Latinos in the United States: An Overview of the Growing Demographic' analyzing the diverse experiences and challenges faced by AAPI Latinos across the country.
• All by April PledgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe AAPI Fund joined the All by April pledge, a funder-led effort to reaffirm commitment to streamlining grant processes and trusting grantees to use funds wisely ahead of the November 2024 elections.
• ColorlinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized an event on 'Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World' with Colorlines, featuring Dr. Claire Jean Kim and Dr. Charlene Sinclair discussing solidarity between Black and AAPI communities.
• National AAPI Power FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsored the 'Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World' event.
• California Black Freedom FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsored the 'Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World' event.
• Four Freedoms FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsored the 'Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World' event.
• Groundswell FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsored the 'Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World' event.
• Groundswell Action FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsored the 'Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World' event.
• RISE Together FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsored the 'Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World' event.
• RUN AAPIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsored the virtual event celebrating Curtis Chin's memoir 'Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant'.
• Asian Americans UnitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 Creative Catalyst Retreat held in Philadelphia in partnership with Asian Americans United for community visit and learning about narrative change-making.
• Asian American Community Fund of PAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 Creative Catalyst Retreat held in Philadelphia in partnership with Asian American Community Fund of PA for community visit.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves1 record

Direct peers

• Groundswell Fund: 501(c)(3) sister fund of Groundswell Action Fund focused on gender justice and movement building — comparable peer funder that co-sponsors AAPI Civic Engagement Fund events.
• Four Freedoms Fund: National funder collaborative supporting immigrant rights and integration organizing — comparable as a pooled movement-building fund and confirmed co-sponsor with AAPI Civic Engagement Fund.
• Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP): National AAPI philanthropic membership and advocacy organization — comparable as an AAPI-focused philanthropic infrastructure organization with overlapping grantee networks.
• California Black Freedom Fund: State-level pooled fund resourcing Black-led organizing in California — comparable as a racial-justice pooled fund and co-sponsor of cross-racial solidarity events.
• Proteus Action League / Proteus Fund: Philanthropic intermediary supporting movement-building and civic engagement — comparable as a pooled/intermediary funder; Co-ED Quanita Toffie serves on its board.
• Groundswell Action Fund: 501(c)(4) public foundation resourcing electoral organizing for reproductive and social justice — directly comparable as a movement-building pooled fund; Co-ED Quanita Toffie previously led this organization.
• National AAPI Power Fund: AAPI-focused pooled fund supporting AAPI civic engagement and political power — directly comparable as a peer AAPI civic funder and explicitly co-sponsors events with the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund.

Broad incumbents

• Tides Foundation: Major philanthropic intermediary and fiscal sponsor — comparable as a large-scale pooled funder and movement infrastructure provider; Co-ED Toffie serves on Tides Advocacy board.
• New Venture Fund: Large 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor and intermediary funder — comparable as the fiscal sponsorship model the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund used before becoming independent in 2024.

Emerging players

• National Immigration Forum: National policy and advocacy organization on immigrant integration — comparable as an AAPI/immigrant civic engagement organization; Co-ED EunSook Lee is founding president of its Action Fund affiliate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aapicef
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aapi-fund
• Instagraminstagram.com/aapifund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 AAPI Civic Engagement Fund