From the Archives: 2002 – Asian Giving Circle

May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate AAPI history, uplift the achievements of AAPI individuals, and raise awareness of the issues facing AAPI communities. Asian Americans comprise the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in Chicago. More than 30 different ethnic groups speaking hundreds of languages and dialects have settled across the city, from the bustling neighborhood of Chinatown on the Near South Side to the large immigrant community in Uptown to the “Little India” neighborhood on Devon Avenue. However, AAPI communities across the city face significant economic hardship. Chicago’s Asian population has the second-highest poverty rate among all racial groups.

In the early 2000s, a group of leaders with expertise in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors came together to create an innovative way to give back to their community. At the time, national foundations gave less than 0.4% to AAPI communities and funding for Chicago-area AAPI organizations was low. These leaders envisioned a new source of funding for Asian American nonprofits from Asian American Chicagoans of all backgrounds, or from any Chicagoans interested in supporting the AAPI community. In 2002, they partnered with The Chicago Community Trust to establish the Asian Giving Circle (AGC), the first giving circle comprised of AAPI donors supporting nonprofits led by and serving AAPI individuals.

AGC lets donors combine their financial resources to support organizations advancing social justice in AAPI communities through organizing, collective healing, and social services. Its success centers on fostering close relationships between donors passionate about serving their communities. Since its founding, AGC has played a crucial role in building a thriving network of nonprofits serving Chicago’s AAPI communities. Beyond its local impact, it inspired a national movement in AAPI giving.

AGC was founded by Kathy Im, Ron Mori, Alice Lee Osborne, and Serena Moy – past co-chairs or members of the Chicago Chapter of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), a national philanthropic affinity organization that mobilizes strategic investments in AAPI communities. Alice, who worked at the Donor’s Forum (now Forefront) Giving Greater Chicago Project, brought the idea to her fellow co-chairs after learning about an African American giving circle on the East Coast.

From the beginning, AGC has been comprised of individuals who have a variety of backgrounds in philanthropy and other professions, and who share a deep commitment to the wellbeing of their communities. Pat Yuzawa-Rubin, who has been a member for nearly 20 years, feels a profound kinship between herself and her fellow donors which inspires her to serve multiple roles. AGC provides various opportunities for donors to network, including fundraising events and an annual meeting. By introducing members to a variety of organizations doing innovative work in AAPI neighborhoods across the city, AGC allows them to connect with individuals outside their immediate circle. This comradery between members creates a culture of community-led giving that resonates strongly with grant recipients. Kompha Seth, former executive director at the Cambodian Association, which received one of AGCs first grants in 2004, stated that a grant from AGC, while small, meant more to him than larger grants because it came from the community.

Since AGC began providing grants in 2004, it played a pivotal role in building a strong network of AAPI-serving organizations meeting the diverse needs of AAPI Chicagoans. One way it accomplished this was by offering a bridge between AAPI donors and AAPI-serving organizations who had difficulty securing funds due to their size. In the early days of its grantmaking, AGC focused on supporting smaller organizations that addressed unique community needs, including counseling, healthcare, community resources, and the performing arts. For many of these nonprofits, a grant from AGC was the first grant that they received or served as seed funding for new programs. This support enabled these organizations to sustainably grow their operations and become part of a thriving ecosystem of nonprofits serving AAPI communities.

In addition to strengthening a local network of AAPI-serving nonprofits, AGC also had a significant impact on the landscape of AAPI giving nationally. As a member of the AAPIP National Giving Circle Network, AGC’s work garnered national attention. Due to increased interest in AGC, AAPIP organized a national campaign that helped establish new AAPI giving circles. Modeled after the success of AGC, over 50 other AAPI-focused giving circles formed across the country with the support of AAPIP from 2011 to 2015.

In the 13 years since its founding, AGC has formed a close-knit community of informed and engaged AAPI donors who share a dedication to their communities. Today, AGC has over 400 donors and has granted over $1 million to 61 organizations. Through the passion and expertise of its members, it continues to fund and uplift the individuals and organizations working on the front lines to meet the diverse and ever-changing needs of Chicago’s AAPI communities.

Asian Giving Circle is one of six Affinity Funds at The Chicago Community Trust. Affinity funds are made up of donors united by a shared heritage, identity or common interest. They offer an efficient way to support a specific group of people and the nonprofits that aid them by leveraging contributions through collective giving. If you’re interested in learning more, you can find information about Asian Giving Circle through the Trust website.