CACF Launches NYS AAPI Community Fund With 19 AAPI Awardees From Across New York State
CACF hosted a virtual orientation for awardees of the new NYS AAPI Community Fund on Sept 22.
NEW YORK (September 29, 2022) --The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) welcomed representatives from 19 New York State-based AAPI organizations last week for the official launch of the NYS AAPI Community Fund. Created through the FY 2021-2022 NY State AAPI Equity Budget with the vital support of New York State legislators, the inaugural NYS AAPI Community Fund supports vital work to challenge anti-Asian hate.
Through this new fund, CACF is distributing $450,000 across the 19 community-based organizations supporting projects that include performing arts celebrating AAPI communities and histories; cross-cultural programs building community solidarity; and services supporting immigrants across NY State. Over 50 community-based organizations submitted proposals for the new fund, illustrating the need for further statewide support for New York’s growing AAPI population.
“We are extremely proud to support this strong group of community-based organizations from across New York State who are working to holistically address anti-Asian hate while tackling the root causes of racism and building solidarity across communities of color,” said CACF’s Co-Executive Directors Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung. “Reviewing proposals for the new NYS AAPI Community Fund was an illuminating look at the work of New York’s AAPI advocates and we are excited to see how these groups grow over the course of this year. The fund’s creation would not have been possible without the support of our AAPI Equity Budget champions Senator John Liu and Assemblymembers Yuh-Line Niou and Zohran Mamdani. We would like to once again thank our champions and the NY State legislature for bringing this vital funding opportunity to our communities.”
“The community-based organizations supported by the Community Fund will serve a great need in New York State’s diverse AAPI communities. From rising hate crimes to unequal distribution of resources, the pandemic made clear the existence of many glaring disparities among Asian Americans communities,” said State Senator John C. Liu. “The AAPI Community Fund will ensure the community-based organizations that already have the know-how about how to best serve our community, will also have the resources to get the job done."
“I am proud to have led efforts for the historic creation and funding of the NYS AAPI Community Fund," said Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou. “The fund is a first of its kind in New York, and the process has shown that there are AAPI organizations across the state ready and able to make a positive impact if we can get them the resources they need. CACF has been a vital partner in our work to acquire these funds in the budget process and I look forward to working with them as they are distributed.”
"I am excited and proud of the launch of this year’s AAPI Community Fund, representing the community-based investments our AAPI communities — historically overlooked and excluded in our state’s policymaking — so desperately need,” said Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. “The funding will comprehensively target the increased hatred and violence experienced by our communities, and improve living conditions across issues of mental health care, food insecurity, government case management assistance and more. I applaud all the organizations working tirelessly to provide these services in the fight for dignity for all our neighbors."
The full list of awardees is below.
A Place for Kids
Asian American Arts Alliance
Asian American Institute for Research and Engagement
Bridges From Borders
Buffalo String Works
Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans
Chinese-American Family Alliance for Mental Health Association
Community Inclusion & Development Alliance
Glow Community Center
Herricks Chinese Association
Indian Nurses Association of New York
J CHEN PROJECT
Kinding Sindaw Heritage Foundation
Korean Art Forum
Mekong
Queensboro Dance Festival
Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus, Inc
The Diverse Street Initiative
The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns - Northeast
For more information, please contact Lakshmi Gandhi, Communications and Outreach Coordinator at lgandhi@cacf.org.
