Asian American Giving

Asian Americans Encouraged to Apply 01/18/2012

* Center for Disaster Philanthropy seeking CEO. CDP is an exciting new venture that will change the face of emergency-related grant-making, moving it from a reactive and emotion-driven response, to one focused on increasing the effectiveness of the private donor’s dollar for the good of affected communities worldwide. CDP will offer three distinct services to donors: 1) a website and interactive portal; 2) a pooled funding mechanism with a unique preparedness, risk reduction and recovery focus; and 3) custom advisory services.

* Korean American Community Foundation is now hiring for Administrative & Communication Associate.  Reporting to the Executive Director and working in KACF’s New York City (Manhattan) office, the Associate will work with both internal and external stakeholders to support the development of donor relationships, draft correspondence, articles and other presentational  materials, manage monthly eNewsletters, website and other updates, assist with special event coordination and planning, and other tasks as assigned.  The successful candidate will have a deep interest in philanthropy and community issues, with strong writing, excellent judgment and organizational skills that will be applied across a range of duties including research communications and event planning. 

* Bank of America Seeking Student Leaders. Student leaders participate in an eight week paid internship at a charitable organization and take part in a week long summit in DC. 

* Bank of America Seeking Local Heroes. Selected heroes receive $5,000 contribution to an eligible nonprofit of his/her choice.

Scholarship to Attend Harvard Business School's Non-Profit Management Program

If you are an executive director of a non-profiit organization which directly benefits the Asian American community and are interested in attending the Harvard Business School's Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management (SPNM) program, consider applying for the HBS4A scholarship! The HBS4A scholarship covers the tuition, occupancy on-campus accommodations, most meals, and all program materials.

SPNM is a 6-day intensive program in July held at Harvard Business School and is taught by some of the Business School's top professors. The program guides nonprofit leaders as they explore proactive methods for mastering nonprofit leadership. HBS faculty and colleagues challenge participants to strengthen their ability to improve the effectiveness of their organizations. 

Lee Ann Kim, Executive Director of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, received the HBS4A scholarship last year. Here's what she has to say about her experience:

My SPNM experience was transformational, and it couldn't have come at a better time for our organization.  We just completed an intense strategic planning process to address sustainability, and despite the economy, we had been going through a growth phase.  As nonprofit leaders, we get so bogged down with the daily grind, we easily forget "question zero" - why our organization exists in the first place.  From the moment I entered my first session at Harvard Business School's SPNM program, I was forced to reflect on our organization's Theory of Change, how we claim to transform people's lies through the Media Arts, and how we measure our mission's social impact. The program was intense and challenging, but also incredibly inspiring to be learning side-by-side with some of the most passionate nonprofit leaders from around the world.  I loved our small group sessions, allowing us to "harvest" what we learned and find ways to apply the lessons to our own organizations.

I returned to San Diego with copious notes to share with my staff, board, and stakeholders.  Since then, we have already implemented a few ideas as a direct result of the program and continue working on our strategic priorities.  I can't thank the HBS Asian American Alumni Association enough for supporting me with this scholarship, especially given the lack of leadership programs for Asian Americans.  HBS4A truly leads the way of setting the example of "paying it forward."

Applications are due March 1, 2011. Requirements and application details can be found here.

Photo: :nick, Creative Commons, Flickr

Asian Women Giving Circle Releases RFP

The Asian Women Giving Circle, a donor-advised fund of the Ms. Foundation for Women, is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals for its Women, Arts and Activism Fund.

Through this fund, the Asian Women Giving Circle seeks to support Asian American women-led projects that use the tools of culture, the arts and education to raise awareness and catalyze action around critical issues that impact Asian American communities. As such, the focus of this grantmaking will be on programs and projects that combine the arts with activism, and which highlight and promote women's central role in their leadership, creation, development and management.

The deadline for submitting a proposal is Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 5pm (Eastern Standard Time).

Application Resources

• Complete RFP with description and application details [pdf].
• Application Checklist [pdf]
• Project Budget Template [xls]
• Begin an online application.
• Continue an application you have already started.
• More information on the Asian Women Giving Circle.

A Look at the Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship

I have written in the past about ways to start scholarship programs and ways for students to find them. However, what I have only briefly touched upon is the understanding of why donors start scholarship programs in the first place. Many donors are thankful and want to give back and help others as they are reminded of how fortunate they are. Others give to honor their parents and loved ones for giving them the tools to succeed in life.

Each donor has a unique story about why they give and what motivates them. The story of Shui Kuen and Allen Chin's devotion to education and family are typical in many immigrant families. However, the way the family chose to overcome a family tragedy inspires and honors the practice of philanthropy.

Shui Kuen and Allen Chin owned and operated Chung's, a well-known Chinese restaurant in the greater Detroit area. The restaurant allowed six children to successful complete post-secondary education and pursue a diverse range of career paths. On October 11, 2005, Allen Chin lost his life on his way to the restaurant. Shui Kuen Chin survived the car accident and provided encouragement to her children as they sought to turn the family tragedy into something positive. The result is the Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Foundation.

Through family and friends, the Foundation has raised funds to support a scholarship program for restaurant workers and children of restaurant workers. Two $1,000 scholarships are available. Eligibility criteria are:

Self or parent currently or formerly employed at an Asian-owned or Asian cuisine restaurant
Community advocacy and social justice work on behalf of Asian American, immigrant, gay and lesbian and other progressive causes
Grade level: Incoming freshman or current, full-time undergraduate in 2011-12
Minimum GPA: 3.0
• Status: U.S. citizenship or permanent residence
• Completed application; Application Deadline:  March 17, 2011

If you know anyone or groups that could help disseminate this information to qualified students, please visit blog.skacfoundation.org for more information.

Photo courtesy of Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Foundation

Asian Americans Encouraged to Apply! 01/12/2011

The San Francisco Foundation is inviting applicants for its 2011-2013 Multicultural Fellowship Program. Fellows are  young professionals of color with the promise and passion to create significant social change. By working in grantmaking teams and contributing to numerous projects across the Foundation, fellows gain dynamic hands-on leadership experience. Former fellows now serve as executive directors and development directors in nonprofits, as program officers in foundations, as government officials, and as professionals and academics who serve or work with nonprofits.

The San Francisco Foundation's Multicultural Fellowship Program aims to increase diversity in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. The Program provides young professionals of color with challenging work experiences and leadership opportunities in the areas of grantmaking and community building. The Fellowship includes an intensive curriculum, individual coaching, mentorship, access to local service sector leaders, and countless opportunities to build a professional network.

Applications must be submitted online by 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2011. If you are invited for an interview, we will contact you by February 14, 2011. The Fellowship positions will commence April 4, 2011. Compensation is $46,000 - $50,000 annually. For more information, please visit the Foundation's employment pages.

Asian Americans Encouraged to Apply! 01/11/2011

CompassPoint, with a grant from The California Wellness Foundation, is recruiting nonprofit leaders for its Next Generation Leaders of Color program. The program is for managers and leaders of color working in Bay Area health and human service organizations.

Next Generation Leaders of Color focuses on two of the critical content areas that pose significant challenges for many community-based managers and leaders. The first challenge is to supervise, develop, inspire, and influence people. The second challenge is to develop business acumen with an emphasis on financial strategy, comprehension, and literacy.

This program is for people of color who are currently in mid-level management positions, have at least 2 years experience managing people and budgets, have never been an executive director, work in a Bay Area health and human service organization, and have a commitment to social change. Participants can be of any age, but would need to have a demonstrated commitment to a career in the nonprofit sector and an aspiration towards professional advancement. 

Applications must be submitted electronically no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 4th.

Philanthropy News Digest 08/08/2010

*  The Asian American Leadership Council at Chicago Foundation for Women provided $10,000 in grants to three Chicago-area nonprofits. The council’s Silk Fund granted $5,000 to Korean American Women in Need, or KAN-WIN, which provides free bilingual, bicultural and comprehensive services to Chicago-area women and children experiencing domestic and sexual violence. The fund also gave $2,500 each to two organizations which have Asian American women executive directors: Rape Victim Advocates (Sharmili Majmudar) and Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (Soo Ji Min).

* Vinay Bhaga, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Convio was named 2010 Business Person of the Year by IndUS Business Journal. Convio provides online fundraising and advocacy platform for the nonprofit sector. Their platform has been used by thousands of nonprofits to raise billions of dollars. 

*  Anuja Jaitly and Rishi Jaitly is taking the concept of diaspora philanthropy to a state level. Michigan Corp is a new philanthropic organization that will raise money from former residents who want to help Michigan get back on its feet. They hope to tap into the "Michigan diaspora" and have tapped into Google's CEO, Eric Schmidt and Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent. Michigan Corps will use funds received "to invest in and collaborate with high-impact organizations promoting economic transformation and wealth creation across the state." Skeptics say that Michigan Corp will have to overcome people's tendency to donate money to organizations that they live close to, not those far away. Diaspora philanthropy works because of familial, business, professional, and cultural ties to the homeland. In this case, I am not sure those that left still have these strong ties to Michigan. As a former Michigander, I am keeping an eye on this but it feels too dis-connected for me. What do you think?

Cherry Blossom Giving Circle in DC Accepting Funding Requests

The Cherry Blossom Giving Circle invites APA-serving nonprofit organizations based in the metro DC area to apply for a total of approximately $8,000 in grants. 

This is the inaugural grant cycle for the giving circle, which is a volunteer collective of 25 individuals committed to creating positive social change in the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities in the Washington Metropolitan area. 

The Circle is accepting requests from nonprofit organizations with 501(c)3 status in the Washington, DC metro areas that serve the Asian American/Pacific Islander communities. The deadline for a proposal submission is July 31, 2010. Grant announcements will be made in November 2010. 

For more info, please visit RFP online submission or email: dcgivingcircle@gmail.com.

Photo courtesy of autan, Flickr, Creative Commons

Education Series Profile: Peter Kim of Glow Foundation

We are pleased to feature Peter Kim, Executive Director of Glow Foundation as part of our series on education. Glow Foundation started when its founders "were struck with the harsh reality that many college-admitted students from low income families do not enroll in college due to financial hardships." They also found that many students were not aware of financial aid options and were frightened to borrow money.  

Glow Foundation assist students from under-resourced communities:

* 80% are low income, eligible for free or reduced lunch

* 80% will be the first to attend college

* Nearly 100% are from cultural backgrounds historically under-represented in college (Hispanic, Pacific Islander, African American, multi-racial)

Peter Kim tells us more about Glow Foundation and his experience in the philanthropy sector:

1. Please share with us something about your past professional background. 

For the past six years, I have worked in the philanthropy sector designing and implementing social venture funds and grantmaking programs on environmental, education, youth development and land use planning issues. Prior to that, I worked both domestically and internationally in environmental law and policy, partnerships and corporate business. Those experiences helped shape my metrics driven and collaborative approach to the nonprofit sector.

2. You recently joined Glow Foundation. What does Glow Foundation do? 

Glow Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that provides financial education, planning, mentorship programs, and scholarships to high potential, college ready students from low-income families. We support our students in developing basic financial skills allowing them to make informed and effective decisions about the use and management of money for the rest of their lives. Students gain critical financial skills and knowledge around budgeting, saving, spending, credit and loans in addition to understanding how they can fund their education by accessing various types of financial aid. Upshot is our programs help empower students to proactively create a budget, identify and seek funding to enter and graduate from college and use these skills as the foundation for lifelong financial stability. 

Every year 200,000 low-income, college capable high school students graduate and do not pursue a college education.  - College Summit

3. What do you hope to accomplish in the first 100 days there? 

As the new Executive Director of the Glow Foundation, I want to leverage and strengthen our current partnership model to help more low-income students acquire basic financial skills to enter and graduate college. My focus will be on assessing and refining our metrics, evaluating program delivery, and meeting with potential strategic school and nonprofit partners to enhance our programmatic impact and reach. Concomitantly, I will look to develop long-term partnerships with corporations and financial institutions to secure sustaining funding channels and in return Glow Foundation will train, recruit and engage these companies’ employees in volunteer and mentorship opportunities. My first 100 days will be critical to building our internal organizational capacity and setting clear growth plans for the future. 

4. What are some of the major needs at Glow Foundation?

As a nonprofit start-up, Glow Foundation is constantly pounding the pavement for funding while refining programs to better serve more students. We are constantly trying to strike the balance between building a sustainable and stellar program versus scaling rapidly to reach more students. The more we reach the more funding dollars we can attract. 

Our programs are in demand and there is a market appetite to scale as schools and nonprofits constantly approach us to partner and deliver our financial education and mentorship programs to their students.  But we need to balance that against operational budget limits, staffing, and ensuring we grow a sustainable and stellar program.

5. Who are your go-to people for advice?

Over the years I have built up a small cadre of colleagues/friends from the public, private and nonprofit sectors that I consult on a regular basis to bounce off ideas and strategies. They are a diverse mix of lawyers, foundation and nonprofit leaders, corporate executives and government leaders. Serving as critical advisors, thought leaders, counselors, networkers, and sometimes partners, they provide me with a multi-sector perspective and approach to my nonprofit work.

Photos courtesy of Glow Foundation 

Education Series: National Directory of Scholarship, Internships and Fellowships for Asian Americans

Several of our readers have emailed asking if there were resources for scholarships and fellowship programs targeting  Asian Americans. The answer is yes, there is!

The 2009-2011 National Directory of Scholarships, Internships and Fellowships for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students is the first directory of its kind. It is the first comprehensive list dedicated to serving the Asian American population. The listing presents detailed information and regional scholarships directly from the sources.

The Asian American Studies Program at the University of Maryland, College Park, in conjunction with the Japanese American Citizens League, OCA and State Farm partnered on this project. It is their hope to overcome the misrepresentation and misunderstanding of the "model minority" myth and more accurately portray the problems facing the Asian American community.

The first fourteen pages are filled with obligatory letters. Page 15 starts the listing of the scholarships. Page 93 provides resources for students, including financial tips for college, budgeting, resume writing and interview success. You can download the directory after filling out this short online form.

Photo courtesy of brianchildvn