The Asian American Foundation Explained

The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) is an American foundation founded in 2021 by a group of prominent Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, aiming to support an array of Asian American and Pacific Islander causes and create a national infrastructure for a community that has faced an increasing number of racial attacks.^[2] Launched with $250 million,^[3] TAAF is described by organizers as the largest-ever philanthropic effort to support the AAPI community in history.^[4] The founders include Joe Tsai, Joseph Bae, Li Lu, Peng Zhao, Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Jerry Yang, Angela Chao^[5] and Jonathan Greenblatt. Its Founding Advisory Council members include Daniel Dae Kim, Lisa Ling, Condoleezza Rice, Jeremy Lin and more.^[6] The organization is chaired by Li Lu,^{[7] [8]} and Norman Chen is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).^[9]

Initiatives

According to TAFF's 5-year portfolio strategy,^[10] TAAF focuses on four core initiatives:^{[11] [12]}

• Anti-hate
• Education
• Narrative change
• Resources & representation

In addition, TAAF's AAPI Giving Challenge is a multi-year campaign where partners can make direct grant-making to AAPI organizations, invest in diversity programs, support AAPI businesses, or provide in-kind services.^[13]

Data and research

TAAF funds an annual survey Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the U.S. (STAATUS)^[14] and partners with organizations like the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) and the Stop Asian Hate coalition to provide data about the AAPI community^[15] such as the AANHPI women state of safety survey and the Documenting anti-AAPI hate: Codebook.

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Asian American Foundation Launches to Improve AAPI Advocacy, Power, and Representation Across American Society. 3 May 2021. 19 May 2021. The Asian American Foundation. Cision.
2. Web site: 2021-05-03. Asian-American business leaders launch $250M effort to fight hate. 2021-05-08. Reuters.
3. Web site: Asian American Foundation launched with pledges totaling $250 million . Philanthropy News Digest . 20 May 2021.
4. Web site: Lisa Ling, Naomi Osaka, Jeremy Lin, Kevin Durant, and More Help Launch The Asian American Foundation. 2021-05-08. PEOPLE.com. en.
5. Web site: Isidore . Chris . 2024-02-14 . Shipping CEO Angela Chao, sister of former Cabinet member Elaine Chao, dies in car crash CNN Business . 2024-02-15 . CNN . en.
6. Web site: Nets' Joe Tsai, Yahoo Founder Jerry Yang and More Launch $250 Million Initiative to Fight Hate. 2021-05-08. news.yahoo.com. 5 May 2021 . en-US.
7. Web site: 2021-05-04. Asian-American leaders launch US$250 million effort to combat hate. 2021-08-31. South China Morning Post. en.
8. Web site: Michelle Yeoh, Simu Liu, Daniel Dae Kim to Headline TAAF Heritage Month Summit and Celebration (Exclusive) . Abbey . White . . May 2, 2023 . November 7, 2023 . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107104826/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/michelle-yeoh-simu-liu-taaf-heritage-month-summit-1235477877/ . live.
9. Web site: About Us TAAF . 2023-10-25 . www.taaf.org . en.
10. Web site: Our Approach TAAF . 2023-10-26 . www.taaf.org . en.
11. News: Sorkin . Andrew Ross . Lee . Edmund . 2021-05-03 . Asian-American Business Leaders Fund Effort to Fight Discrimination . en-US . The New York Times . 2021-05-10 . 0362-4331.
12. Web site: Our Work TAAF . 2023-10-25 . www.taaf.org . en.
13. Web site: AAPI Giving Challenge TAAF . 2023-10-25 . www.taaf.org . en.
14. News: 2023-05-09 . New Surveys of Asian Americans Show Persistent Racism and Hardship . en . Bloomberg.com . 2023-10-26.
15. Web site: TAAF Data & Research Our Work . 2023-10-26 . www.taaf.org . en.