Asian American Giving

Seasons of Change: A Leadership Development Discussion Series, Part 2

- by Andy Ho

Back in April, I wrote about the first Seasons of Change seminar hosted by the Joint Affinity Group in Washington, DC.  Last month featured the second seminar in this series, this time on the topic of Board Involvement and Leadership.  The speakers were Rubie Coles of the Moriah Fund, Dr. Madye Henson of Greater DC Cares, and Rosetta Thurman of the Nonprofit Roundtable.  Each of them shared their experiences serving on nonprofit boards, both good and bad, and gave their advice on getting involved and serving on a board.  Here are some of the learnings that stuck with me:

* Board leadership forces you to think differently about leadership.
* Board service helps you to learn how to build consensus.
* Be present in a board - it is not a good experience to be a board member in name only; otherwise it will get on your nerves.
* If you aspire to nonprofit management, then board service is invaluable experience.

Attractive board members, they shared, are strategic thinkers, people with large networks, good at assessing group dynamics, and those that know how to run board meetings.

So whether you are already working in the nonprofit sector, or are coming from the corporate or government sectors, there are opportunities for you to serve on boards of organizations, if you have the time, inclination, and skills.  Find an organization working in your passion, and get involved!

Photo courtesy James Jordan

A brief look at British Asian philanthropy

I was in London several weeks ago and had the opportunity to learn about British Asian philanthropy and the work of the Asian Foundation for Philanthropy.  

In the U.S., the term Asian American is often used to refer to those of Asian origin, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, etc.  On the other hand, the British Asian refers to those of South Asian origin, particularly Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis.  The other groups are lumped into 'orientals' and in the ethnic section of UK's census forms, the Chinese are treated separately, i.e., not as "Asians."

There are approximately 2,331,423 British Asians, constituting about 4% of the population of the United Kingdom (UK) (Indians are 2.7%; Pakistanis 1.5%; Bangladeshi's 0.5% and other Asians (0.4%)).  British Asians make up 50.2% of the UK's non-European population, according to the 2001 UK Census.  The South Asian diaspora accounts for 10% of UK's economic output.   According to a 2002/2003 study, there are 71 Asian millionaires, with 47 of them under the age of 40.

In the past, I have blogged about the lack of information, resources, and studies about Asian American philanthropy.  It seems as if the same case also applies to the UK as well.  There are virtually no studies or research on Asian giving patterns in the UK.  If you know of any, please let me know.

Asian Foundation for Philanthropy: Inspiring Social Change.  In London, I had lunch with Bala Thakrar, executive director and founder of the Asian Foundation for Philanthropy.  Bala established AFP in 2005 to connect the British Asian diaspora to innovative social change initiatives in India.  She recently won the Social and Humanitarian Award at the 9th annual Asian Women of Achievement Awards.  In a recent interview with the Guardian, Bala says it is important to link Asian communities in the UK to India because:

The Asian community has always been giving, but I don't think we have been really thinking about it. We need to increase our knowledge on the power of volunteering. People can be surprisingly generous, not just with money, but with time and resources.

Asian Americans encouraged to apply! Job listings (7/8/09)

 SAALT and the Marin Community Foundation are seeking qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds:

* South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) is a national, non-profit organization in the United States that advocates around issues affecting South Asian communities through the use of a social justice framework.  With an office in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, SAALT is a non-partisan, 501 (c) (3) organization with an individual member base and strong partnerships with community-based groups in the United States.

Director of Programs and Partnerships.  The Director will oversee and implement community-based programs and campaigns, and will work with SAALT staff to maintain partnerships with the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO) and allies.   For more information, including job responsibilities and deadline to apply, please visit here.

Development and Operations Manager. The Development and Operations Manager will be responsible for identifying new sources of revenue, especially from individuals and corporations; developing innovative ways of connecting with groups and individuals to identify such resources; and organizing special events.  In addition, the Development and Operations Manager will be responsible for administrative and financial duties.  For more information, including job responsibilities and deadline to apply, please visit here.

* Marin Community Foundation is seeking a Director of Philanthropic Planning.  The Director of Philanthropic Planning is the leader of the Foundation's Fund Development team, responsible for meeting annual development goals related to the number and size of new donor-advised funds opened at the Foundation. The Director is also responsible for managing the Foundation’s planned giving activities. The Director is part of the Philanthropic Services team and works in close partnership with the Vice President for Philanthropic Services and the Director of Philanthropic Advisory Services in assuring the success of department-wide goals and processes.

Community foundations in Asia

 

Community foundations are well known in the U.S. for raising charitable funds from the community and distributing the money back to the area’s non-profit organizations. In the U.S., we have approximately 780 community foundations. Globally, there are 1,441 community foundations in 51 countries.  In Asia, community foundations exist in India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines.

Community foundations exist in various forms but they are basically a charitable entity used to encourage philanthropy and build communities of giving and sharing.  The first community foundation was formed in the U.S. and since then the concept has been exported around the world.  In 2006, The Global Fund for Community Foundations was formed.  It is a joint initiative of the World Bank, Ford Foundation and Mott Foundation as a mechanism to broad the development of community foundations.  The Fund is a project of WINGS and it is hosted by the European Foundation Centre in Brussels.  Since their launch, the Fund has made grants amounting to almost US $1.5 million to 83 organizations in 33 countries.

The 2008 Community Foundation Global Status Report published by WINGS (Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support) tracks the growth of community foundations globally.  In reviewing the Global Status Report, I noticed several similarities of the community foundations in Asia. For example, outside organizations such as the Ford Foundation and Synergos Institute were instrumental in helping establish many of these community foundation.  Individuals and corporations do not always fully understand the value of an intermediary to promote, encourage and bring together philanthropic initiatives. In other words, they preferred to give directly to the beneficiary. Furthermore, most of these community foundations are relatively new, with the oldest one registered in 1991. Consequently, their grantmaking is relatively small but several do have endowments.   

India.  The first community foundation in India, the Bombay Community Public Trust, was established in 1991 with the assistance of the Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy based in Mumbai. There are currently six formally established community foundations in India. Corporate donors are the largest source of income.

Unpacking Sri Lankan American philanthropy

With the decades-long military conflict in Sri Lanka between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ending, there is much that needs to be done to help the country rebuild.  During these times, it is usually the diaspora that provides the much needed funds.  In the U.S., many Sri Lankan Americans continue to have close ties with their homeland.  Some still have family there, others have built strong business ties, and many continue to keep close tabs on how the country is progressing and perhaps, even hope to return there.  

We do not hear about the contributions of Sri Lankan Americans in the mainstream news but like all other Asian groups, I know their philanthropic impulses are strong and many do give back. After the tsunami, many Sri Lankans Americans came together and supported disaster relief and recovery efforts.  But where can I find information about their giving patterns - who do they support?  How do they give? What drives them to give? Some ancedotal stories and examples of individual philanthropists do exist but I have not been able to find any studies or research that capture the understanding and complexities of their philanthropy.

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a Sri Lankan American, community leader and philanthropist.  He came to the U.S. in 1984 after the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists.  After completing his undergraduate and MBA degree from prestigious schools on scholarship, he was recruited to help run a small company.  Years later, he is now doing well and continues to be involved with his two communities - one in Sri Lanka, one here in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

I asked my new Sri Lankan American friend why he was so invovled in charity work. He explained that growing up, his mother never invited friends over for dinner during the holidays.  Instead, she always cooked dinner for the less fortunate.  Over the years, these little small gestures were examples he followed.  Now, he shows his children by example, inviting them to be active in his philanthropic decisions and most important, encouraging them to find their own causes.  Like some of my other Asian friends, he and his wife were very adamant about being anonymous donors.

Asian Americans encouraged to apply! Job listings (6/20/09)

Once in awhile I come across some jobs in the nonprofit/philanthropic sector that I think are pretty interesting.  If you know of some great jobs out there - please email me at dien@asianamericangiving.com.

Executive Director, Cameron House.  The Executive Director oversees Cameron House’s multi-disciplinary social services programs as well as its financial and administrative systems. As the lead spokesperson for the agency with funders, donors, and collaborating agencies, the ED advocates for policies and funding that address the needs of clients and their families. S/he must be comfortable assuming leadership of an organization which integrates and expresses Christian faith in its programs and activities. The Executive Director leads a seasoned management team and works closely with the Board and Staff to build the organization’s strengths and effectively carry out the Strategic Plan.  Download Cameron_House_ED_Job_Announcement

Executive Director, Asian Women's Shelter.  Founded in 1988, Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and promoting the social, economic and political self-determination of women. AWS is recognized as a local, regional, and national leader in its field. AWS provides comprehensive services in over thirty languages through its Direct Service component, including a 24-hour shelter program, Multilingual Access Model, and Queer Asian Women and Transgender Support Program. AWS’s Community Building component works to change values, practices, systems and policies through strategies such as grassroots mobilization, systems reform, and inter-organizational community and capacity building. AWS upholds our program areas with a strong organizational foundation comprised of dedicated board, staff, volunteers, on-call language advocates and community members. Download AWS_ED_JobAnnouncement[1]

Finance Manager, Arabella Advisors.  Arabella Advisors seeks a dynamic and detail oriented self-starter to serve as a finance manager to support the firm in managing its day-to-day operations and developing and maintaining strong financial controls. This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in working in a fast-paced environment and who understands the unique nature of managing a growing business.

Major Gift Officer, Arts & Sciences, Columbia University.  Reporting to the Director of Development, Arts and Sciences, in Columbia University's Office of Alumni and Development , the Major Gift Officer identifies, cultivates, and solicits alumni, parents and friends of the Arts and Sciences Core Schools: Columbia College, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and General Studies. Columbia University is embarking on the second year of the public phase of a comprehensive campaign to raise $4 billion, of which the Arts and Sciences development unit is responsible for raising $1 billion for endowed scholarships, fellowships and professorships, as well as unrestricted and restricted current use purposes. The Major Gifts team plays a central role in the Arts and Sciences campaign, collaborating with University officials, faculty, the Deputy Vice President for Development, the Columbia College Annual Fund team, campaign volunteers, and colleagues throughout Development and Alumni Relations.

Save the world using your cell phone?

I had the opportunity to meet with Mridul Chowdhury, CEO of ClickDiagnostics, a US based organization, several months ago and I have been following his work since then.  ClickDiagnostics uses cell phones to deliver healthcare to rural communities.  They are working now in Bangladesh, India and Africa.  Will using cell phones be the next big thing for social service organizations to tackle some rural development issues and perhaps, grow philanthropy?

Since it is difficult to access doctors and health care in rural villages, Mridul's team deploys health works with cell phones to those areas.  The cell phones are equipped with macro lenses and software for questioning patients about their ailments.  They take close-up images of eyes or skin to diagnose disorders.  The images and audio files are sent via cell phone to a server linked to a regional doctor who makes the diagnoses.  Within 24 hours, the health worker receives the diagnoses.  Patients would pay the health worker for the services. 

Groups like ClickDiagnostics that capitalize on using cell phones as social change platforms may be able to solve some of our societal problems where access to healthcare, education, and information is difficult.  But it doesn't end there.  During the Sichuan earthquake in China last year, many individuals used cell phones to donate funds to selected organizations providing disaster relief.   In China, you can even start your own private foundation using your cell phone.  

So why have we not applied the same theory of cell phone fundraising in the U.S. market?  In the U.S., Asian Americans are quicker to adopt the latest communications advances.  In a survey by MPA, 78% of all Asian American households own a cell phone versus 68% of all U.S. households.  Is this the un-tapped fundraising outlet for Asian American nonprofit groups?

Guarantee a loan for entrepreneurs in India!

 

I just made my first loan guarantee on United Prosperity to see how the platform works. I had previously mentioned Bhalchander ("Bala") Vishwanath, CEO, and this project in an earlier post. United Prosperity officially lauched on May 28th and I am excited to see the responses they will receive.  They have guarantors from all over the world now.  Below is a brief description of my experience in using the website.

First, I reviewed the listing of the entrepreneurs on the site.  There are six women entrepreneurs.  One sells gunny bags to merchants and needs a loan to expand her work.  Another woman owns a grocery shop and requires a loan to expand her store.  I narrowed my choices to two women:

* Gita Devi sells vegetables in the market and she would like to start her own vegetable and grocery shop near her home.  She currently earns Rs. 3000 per month selling vegetables alongside her husband at the market. 

* Sunita Devi supports her family by stitching clothes, as her husband is no longer alive. She does the stitching work at her home. She has applied for a microloan to rent space, furnish it with goods and purchase a sewing machine. She hopes to increase her income and meet the growing financial needs of her children.

It was a difficult decision and I could have supported both of them but I thought, if I had to choose one, how would I choose and what would my criteria be? 

Abundance abounds

- by Charles Ostertag, guest blogger

This spring, at the Chinese Historical Society of America, Kay S. Grace of Transforming Philanthropy, LLC suggested the tapping of what is abundant, yet not readily apparent, is a potent fundraising and organizational strategy for local Chinatown nonprofits here in San Francisco. Within the recent economic turbulence, many smaller Chinatown nonprofit organizations offering essential services to the elderly, newly arrived, unemployed and/or ailing are now finding it more difficult to provide for those in need. While times are indeed dire and pressure-filled, with the appropriate attitude and perception, these stresses and strains can serve as valuable moments of reflection, reorientation, and reorganization for nonprofit entities, thereby strengthening an organization for the better. As I delineate my interpretations of the various shades of Grace’s presentation, it is my hope that all nonprofits and the communities they serve can benefit from these words:

Thankfully, there are constants. Even in difficult economic times, interests and passions rarely feel the gravity of money. Whether donors possess five dollars or one million, they still want to effect change and assist the causes and people they care about. Similarly, as a nonprofit faces the realties of downsizing, being acquired or merging, the fundamental interest and drive remains to provide the best level of service to beneficiaries that can be achieved with available funds. Going beyond simple solicitation of funds and donations to taking the care to sow, foster and form relationships (indeed, friendships) based on mutual philanthropic interests can be the deciding factor in the lifespan of an organization.

Designing for the poor

Why are 90% of the world's products and services designed for 10% of the world's population?

We believe in listening to the needs the poor tell us about, not assuming we know best. We believe in products and services designed for specific cultural contexts, not just Western hand-me-downs. And we believe that careful attention to design can create innovative-and extremely affordable-solutions to the problems of the other 90%.

Last week, I attended the Extreme Affordability Design Expo at Stanford University to see the latest projects the students were working on.  The two-course sequence is part of the Entrepreneurial Design for Extreme Affordability course that focuses on treating the poor as customers. 

Students design products and business models for base of the pyramid customers in India, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Rwanda.  Each of the ten teams had designed product prototypes, distribution systems, and business plans for entrepreneurial ventures to deliver these products. 

I had actually seen one of their past projects in action in Myanmar while I was there. Here's a picture of me on the water pump that delivered water to the fields.  This pump saved the farmer lots of time and since it was cost-efficient and offered several repayment models, the farmers could afford it.  I am really excited about these classes because it bridges the gap between theory and practice at universities.  I also like the concept that social entrepreneurial classes like these take the already natural curiosity and talent of individuals and channels them to benefit those that have long been ignored.