The Asian American Foundation
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) is a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization headquartered in Washington, DC, founded in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and violence. TAAF launched with $250 million, described as the largest-ever philanthropic effort to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in history. The organization serves as a convener, incubator, and funder committed to accelerating opportunity and prosperity for the 24 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$77.9M
-3.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.1M
-0.0% YoY
Grant Count
68
+4.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$133K
-4.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To serve the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in their pursuit of safety, belonging, and prosperity that is free from discrimination, slander, and violence.
Vision: An America where opportunities to participate in all aspects of society are equally accessible, and individuals and communities are not rendered invisible, nor singled out for false stereotypes, discrimination, or hate on the basis of race.
Core Values:
- Pursuit of Excellence
- Resilient Growth
- One TAAF
- Empowered Belonging
- Inspiring Joy
Primary Focus Areas:
TAAF's Portfolio Strategy (2023-2028) commits $65 million across four core areas:
- Anti-Hate: Monitoring and preventing hate crimes through a national network, action centers, and data and research initiatives
- Education: Supporting educational advancement and opportunity for AAPI communities
- Narrative Change: Elevating stories and storytellers that combat stereotypes and contribute to AAPI communities being seen in their full humanity; investing in debut filmmakers and underrepresented AAPI voices, mentorship and training for AAPI creatives, and research supporting AAPI leaders in media, entertainment, and journalism
- Resources & Representation: Ensuring equitable access to resources and meaningful representation
Grantmaking
The TAAF Board covers all operating costs, ensuring 100% of funds raised go directly to programming and initiatives.
Grant Range
$50,000 - $1.0 million
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
National focus with concentrated efforts in 14 key metropolitan areas covering 50% of the AAPI population. Recent initiatives include specific programming in San Francisco and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $80.5 million
- Total liabilities: $1.19 million
- Revenue: $16.6 million
- Expenses: $22.9 million
- Annual giving: $11.0 million
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $77.9 million
- Total revenues: $18.9 million
- Total expenses: $26.1 million
Organizational Funding:
- Total funding received: $2.0 million
- Grant from Panda Express (August 2022): $1.0 million
- Grant from The Kroger Co. Foundation & Kroger Feedback Online (May 2022): $1.0 million
Staffing:
- Approximately 45 employees (as of 2024)
Rating:
- Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a 95% overall score
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $77,888,045 | $80,525,812 | $88,971,313 |
| Revenue | $18,869,269 | $16,595,322 | $16,757,627 |
| Expenses | $26,082,793 | $22,909,834 | $14,111,697 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,978,994 | $1,369,823 | $20,285 |
| 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
148 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Asian American Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel identified include:
- Georgette Bhathena: Chief Programs Officer
- Isabel Kim: Chief Financial Officer
- Prisca Bae: Chief Partnerships Officer
- Anita Nagpal Schwartz: Senior Development Director
- Nikki Singh: Deputy Director - NY
- Baonam Giang: Deputy Director, National Programs
- Peng Zhao: Founding Board Member
- Rushika Fernandopulle: Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORMAN CHEN | CEO AND DIRECTOR | 40 | $89,903 |
| GERALDINE ACUNA-SUNSHINE | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| JERRY YANG | DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 10 | — |
| JOE TSAI | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| JOSEPH BAE | CO-CHAIRMAN | 10 | — |
| LI LU | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| PENG ZHAO | CO-CHAIRMAN | 10 | — |
| RUSHIKA FERNANDOPULLE | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| SHAMINA SINGH | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| SHEILA MARCELO | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| ISABEL KIM | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $304,606 |
| PRISCA BAE | CHIEF PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER | 40 | $340,496 |
| GEORGETTE BHATHENA | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $313,156 |
| ROHIT PAUL | CHIEF PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER | 40 | $278,139 |
| JOY MOH | HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING | 40 | $242,232 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
TAAF and Sundance Institute announced a third cohort of AANHPI Fellows and Scholars for 2025, representing new investments in AAPI-driven storytelling
TAAF and Sundance Institute Announce Third Cohort of AANHPI ...CAPE and TAAF announced recipients of the inaugural Rising Filmmakers Finishing Fund
CAPE and TAAF Announce Recipients of Inaugural Rising ...TAAF launched a $1 million+ initiative to empower San Francisco's grassroots Asian American organizations
The Asian American Foundation Launches $1 Million+ Initiative to EmpowerTAAF distributed $500,000 Arts Fund grants to 20 recipients through partnership with the Asian American Arts Alliance
The Asian American Foundation Launches $1 Million+ Initiative to EmpowerSubject 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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