Asian Giving Circle

Using collective giving to build power and deepen impact in diverse Asian and Pacific Islander communities in the Chicago area since 2002.

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  • 2002

    Year Founded

  • $1+ Million

    Dollars Granted

  • $1.6M+ Million

    Dollars Raised

  • 60+

    Organizations Funded

What Does Leadership Look Like in This Moment?
By Eric Wu, Sonia Mathew, Andrea Chwee

As we kick off 2026, we’re reflecting on this question first explored through our inaugural Nonprofit and Philanthropic AAPI Leadership Series. This series was a partnership between Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) – Chicago Chapter, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Chicago Chapter – Asian Pacific Islander Affinity Group, and Asian Giving Circle (AGC).

The series uplifted emerging leaders in our community, spotlighted their critical work, and inspired others to step forward, lead, and take action. 

  • In May, we began with Esther Kang, a Race, Class and Communities Desk reporter from WBEZ, in conversation with Amanda Hwu, executive director of the Illinois Community Power Fund.
  • In July, we continued the series with Nissa Rhee, co-founder and Executive Director of Borderless Magazine, in conversation with Danae Kovac, executive director of HANA Center.
  • For our third and final installment, we featured a conversation with Rummana Hussain, columnist and lead opinion writer at the Chicago Sun-Times, and Julie Morita, MD, president & CEO of The Joyce Foundation.

Across these conversations, several powerful themes emerged:

Identity & Navigating This Moment

  • Identity and upbringing deeply shape our values and what we bring to our work. Commitments to justice and equity are rooted in addressing the legacies of systemic discrimination experienced by Asian American communities.
  • In navigating today’s turbulent landscape, leaders are balancing the need to be bold with the need to address how our communities may be targeted.  
  • External pressures have made collaboration not just valuable, but essential, especially in a time when many are seeking to divide and isolate our communities. 

Connection & Partnership

  • Different perspectives are essential when building coalitions. Disagreement can be healthy, and we do not need to agree on everything to move our work forward. Struggling together can build solidarity and lasting coalitions. 
  • Belonging comes before belief. The fundamental skill of organizing is having one-on-one conversations, even with people who hold different beliefs. This is what helps cultivate belonging, which is needed before change can occur. 
  • As resources are limited, philanthropy has to be strategic. Partnerships are key, so find partners that share common principles. 

Embracing Leadership & Growth

  • Leadership may come as a calling when it is least expected. Sometimes others see leadership in us before we see it ourselves, and we should be ready to answer that call, even before we feel fully prepared. 
  • It is necessary to lead with a growth mindset that says, “I haven’t done this YET,” rather than a fixed mindset that says, “I can’t do this, because I haven’t done it before.”
  • It is important to be journey-oriented, not just goal-oriented, since there are many paths to one goal.

With Gratitude to Our Community

We want to thank our nonprofit and philanthropy leaders, Amanda, Danae, and Julie for these incredible lessons. Thank you also to Esther, Nissa, and Rummana for facilitating these conversations with heart and humility. We are grateful to the AGC, AAPIP, and AFP communities for coming together to learn, connect, and be inspired through this leadership series and to The Chicago Community Trust, HANA Center, and Robert R. McCormick Foundation for being our gracious hosts for our gatherings.

Now in our fourth year of partnership, what began as an annual Lunar New Year collaboration has grown into something more meaningful and more powerful. We are bringing people together across the full continuum of philanthropic giving, fundraising, and community engagement—uniting leaders committed to strengthening and advancing AAPI communities across the Chicago region.

What Leadership Looks Like Moving Forward

As we look ahead, our focus is clear: meaningful, systemic change happens when more people come together across roles, organizations, and lived experiences. In 2026, we’re continuing to deepen this collective work, expand leadership pathways, and strengthen the relationships that make long-term impact possible. In closing, we leave you with this wisdom from our leaders as inspiration for the new year:

  • Seek human connection and collaboration
  • Think with a growth mindset about the things you haven’t done YET
  • Make hope a discipline by doing every day, small acts

We look forward to our continued collaboration and partnership together! 

Andrea Chwee, AFP Chicago-API Affinity Group
Sonia Mathew, AAPIP Chicago Chapter
Eric Wu, Asian Giving Circle

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