CACF Announces the 23 Awardees of the 2024 AAPI Community Development Fund
NEW YORK, New York (November 5, 2024) -- The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) is pleased to announce the names of the 23 AAPI-led and serving community-based organizations that make up the 2024 recipients of the AAPI Community Development Fund.
A continuation of the AAPI Community Fund, which was created in 2022 through the FY 2021-2022 NY State AAPI Equity Budget, the AAPI Community Development Fund was allocated $350,000 to distribute to organizations across the state that are currently doing the vital work of challenging anti-Asian hate and bias through building solidarity and community.
This year’s Community Development Fund awardees are based across New York State, with nearly 75 percent of awardees based outside of New York City. The 23 AAPI-led or -serving community-based organizations that received awards from the fund serve about 60 AAPI communities in New York State (a list that includes Afghans, Bangladeshis, Bhutanese, Burmese, Filipinos, Iranians, Pakistanis, Taiwanese, and many more.)
“This group of awardees — and the fact that the majority of this awardee cohort is based outside of New York City — truly showcases the statewide diversity of New York State’s AAPI community,” said CACF’s Co-Executive Directors Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung. “Since its inception, the AAPI Community Fund has been a much-needed source of support for community-based organizations working in our neighborhoods each day to support mental well-being and community healing, racial literacy programming, life affirming multi-social services, and so much more. The tremendous scope of the work of our 2024 awardees is a testament to the need for proportionate funding and support for New York State’s AAPI community, which remains the fastest growing population in the state.”
In addition to supporting projects in New York City, the AAPI Community Development Fund will work with community-based organizations in the following regions:
Capital Region
Central New York
Finger Lakes
Long Island
Mid-Hudson
Western New York
The creation and maintenance of the AAPI Community Fund would not be possible without the successful advocacy of the CACF co-led Equity Budget Coalition and our AAPI Equity Budget champions in the NYS Legislature.
“I am proud to see funding we secured in the FY 2024 state budget reach organizations serving AAPI New Yorkers," said Assemblymember Grace Lee, Co-Chair of the Assembly’s Asian Pacific American (APA) Task Force. "New York’s Asian population is the fastest growing demographic in the state, yet it has been historically underfunded and overlooked. This funding will support organizations at the forefront of combating the severe rise in anti-Asian hate we have witnessed in recent years. I thank CACF for their advocacy, and I look forward to continuing the fight for resources and representation our communities deserve.”
NY State Senator John Liu stated, "The AAPI Equity Budget is a critical piece of the state budget that directly supports the community-based organizations working on the ground, every day with Asian American communities. This allocation by CACF is especially meaningful as we look to build out community infrastructure and capacity well beyond the borders of NYC to serve the burgeoning Asian American communities throughout the state. We fought for and secured this annual funding as the surge in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic highlighted how long our community has been overlooked and underfunded. Many thanks to CACF and all the partner organizations of the Equity Budget Coalition who continue to make sure AAPI outreach, education, language access, programs and services are available to all."
Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “As the fastest growing population in New York State, there’s no shortage of need and we must fund these organizations performing life changing work for the AAPI community - work such as combating hate crimes, providing mental health services, as well as supporting arts and cultural programs. I want to thank CACF for their leadership and for providing the resources needed to support the safety and success of our AAPI community in New York.”
"New York’s vibrant AAPI community enriches the state and significantly contributes to our economy and culture. In this year's budget, we secured millions of dollars to support AAPI New Yorkers. It’s fantastic that some of this funding will go to Deaf New Americans Advocacy Inc. and Keepers Connections, two key organizations in Central New York doing great work to uplift many AAPI families. Thank you to everyone at the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families for their hard work and dedication in supporting the AAPI community," said Senator Rachel May.
“I am thrilled that CACF and the State are helping Asian American organizations in the Hudson Valley. As the first Asian American County Legislator in Westchester’s 400 year history, I am incredibly thankful to everyone involved in supporting AAPI organizations across the State,” said Westchester County Legislator David Imumura.
The full list of awardees is below:
Afghans For A Better Tomorrow
AHL Foundation, Inc.
Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA Buffalo)
ASIAN WOMEN'S ALLIANCE FOR KINSHIP & EQUALITY (AWAKE)
Chinese Community Center of the Capital District in New York
Chinese Community Foundation of Western New York
Deaf New Americans Advocacy Inc
Dr. Hsin-Pang (HP) Wang API Foundation, Inc.
Durga Temple of Westchester
Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund
India Center of Westchester
Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester
Indian Nurses Association of New York, Inc. (INANY)
Keepers Connections
Leviathan Lab
India Center of Westchester
Metropolitan Asian Deaf Association
Myanmar Multiethnic Sociocultural Association
New York Chinese Cultural Center
Pacific Island Film Festival
Project Ready
Refugee Welcome Corporation
Rochester's LACE
For more information, please contact Lakshmi Gandhi, CACF’s Senior Communications Coordinator, at lgandhi@cacf.org.
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