The Asian American Federation (AAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership organization based in New York City that serves the 1.5 million Asian New Yorkers in the region. Founded in 1989, AAF operates as a pan-Asian advocacy and support organization representing the fastest-growing ethnic group in New York City and State. The organization works through a network of 70 member agencies rooted in the community that deliver essential social services.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.6M
-19.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.9M
-19.9% YoY
Grant Count
77
+11.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$102K
-28.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
AAF's mission is to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness, and organizational development.
The organization's primary focus areas include:
- Research: Producing comprehensive research reports and briefs to highlight community needs and advocate for policy changes. AAF serves as the only Census Information Center serving Asian communities in the Northeast.
- Policy & Advocacy: Elevating research recommendations to elected officials, government agencies, and private funders to effect policy changes. Current advocacy priorities include ending hate violence against Asian New Yorkers, achieving equitable pandemic recovery for Asian small businesses, improving language access, and making accessible linguistically-appropriate and culturally-competent mental healthcare.
- Mental Health: Connecting community members to culturally-competent mental health services through a mental health directory and in-language services.
- Immigrant Integration: Supporting immigrant communities with integration services and resources.
- Economic Empowerment: Providing technical assistance and support to pan-Asian small business owners, including those in Chinese, Korean, Indian, and Bengali communities.
- Civic Engagement: Mobilizing Asian voters and promoting community participation in the democratic process.
- Community Safety: Operating the Hope Against Hate Campaign to address anti-Asian hate violence and provide victim support services and safety trainings.
Grantmaking
AAF functions as a grantmaking and advocacy organization supporting its member agencies. The organization has secured significant funding for its network:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AAF's primary focus is New York City and the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut). The organization has expanded its reach to include Long Island and upstate New York communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Revenues: $12,642,656
- Total Expenses: $12,916,563
- Total Assets: $14,649,236
- Number of Employees: 37
Previous Financial Data (2021):
- Revenue: $10,790,109
- Expenses: $3,319,388
- Assets: $9,841,196
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Public Charity; IRS ruling year 1991; EIN: 13-3572287
Ratings: AAF holds a Four-Star rating from independent charity evaluators and has earned the Platinum Transparency Seal.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,649,236 | $18,166,759 | $17,823,681 |
| Revenue | $12,642,656 | $14,330,331 | $12,394,316 |
| Expenses | $12,916,563 | $14,493,117 | $9,798,054 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $15,221 | $19,271 | $36,980 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Asian American Federation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: JoAnn Yoo (also listed as Jo-Ann Yoo)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIM LEE | CHAIRPERSON | 5 | — |
| MARIE SILLOWAY | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 5 | — |
| JEAN SIAO | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| EMILY CLARICE HO MATHEWS | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| STELLA AQUINO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS M KWOK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN HWANG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PRIYA PEREIRA-SAWIAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| FRANCES WONG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDREW YUE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JO-ANN YOO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $200,183 |
| JOO HAN | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 35 | $130,538 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025-2026 Impact Highlights**:
The Hope Against Hate Campaign helped nearly 15,000 people report incidents, access victim support services, and receive safety trainings
Provided 8,000 New Yorkers with access to over 28,000 in-language mental health services
Civic engagement efforts reached 310,000 Asian voters across the tri-state area
Led the 10-member AAPI Power Coalition, making over 300,000 contacts with Asian voters through phone, text, mail outreach, in-person canvassing, and print advertisements
Provided testimony at over 17 city and state hearings
Launched the nation's first worker cooperative for Asian language interpreters (March 2026)
Organized a legislative workshop on Asian-Latino civic solidarity at the SOMOS, Inc. conference in Puerto Rico, the first-ever Asian workshop held at that conference
**Programs & Resources**:
Operates an Asian Mental Health Hub available in 8 Asian languages
The Social Justice Fund, The Asian American Foundation, Renaissance, andMaintains a mental health directory connecting people to culturally-competent therapists
Provides free self-defense and safety classes
Offers an immigration emergency safety guide
Maintains a Data Center with research and census information
Hosts annual Impact Awards (2026 awards held June 27, 2024 at The Pierre NYC)
Contact Information
Address: 120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3911
Phone: 212-344-5878
Website: www.aafederation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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