MCF NEWS ARCHIVES
3/15/05

Fifteen years ago, a group of concerned volunteers formed a first-of-its-kind organization dedicated to improving Asian Pacific American (APA) communities through philanthropy. In 2005, communities across the country will mark the 15th anniversary of that groundbreaking organization: Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP).

"AAPIP was founded to engage Asian Pacific American communities and philanthropy in addressing unmet needs and that continues to be our driving force," says Peggy Saika, AAPIP president/executive director. "Although we have made some significant progress we have a long way to go in fully engaging philanthropy to improve the lives of all Asian Pacific Americans."

AAPIP has grown from a 39-member volunteer group to a professionally staffed membership and advocacy organization with eight regional chapters and more than 400 members. AAPIP members include foundations, staff and trustees of grantmaking organizations, and nonprofit organizations.

Over the past 15 years AAPIP has expanded its programs to support the work of its members, encourage APA giving, become a resource for donors and communities, and serve as an incubator of new ideas and approaches for social justice philanthropy. AAPIP supports its members through leadership and technical assistance programs and trainings, providing an important link between philanthropic foundations and APA community organizations. For example, AAPIP recently facilitated youth video projects to profile community conditions in East Palo Alto and East Oakland.

"I hope that everyone can join our AAPIP chapters nationwide as we celebrate our 15th anniversary in 2005," says Cristina Regalado, Chair of AAPIP’s board of directors. "Looking back at these last 15 years will also give us a great opportunity to appreciate our accomplishments and renew our commitment to our goals of expanding philanthropy and incubating social justice efforts."

AAPIP’s members and supporters will recognize its 15th anniversary in several ways in 2005:

• National anniversary celebration events. AAPIP is holding special 15th anniversary celebration events on April 9-10 in San Diego, in conjunction with the Council on Foundations Annual Conference. On April 9, AAPIP will hold a 15th Anniversary Reception followed by a 15th Anniversary Film Screening of "Refugee," directed by prominent Asian American filmmaker and Henry Hampton Award winner Spencer Nakasako. The screening is co-sponsored by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) and Grantmakers in Film and Electronic Media (GFEM).
  
  On April 10, AAPIP will hold a special 15th Anniversary Commemoration Program, where it will recognize key leaders in AAPIP’s history, celebrate past achievements, profile the current state of Asian American philanthropy and highlight AAPIP’s new directions. A dim sum brunch will be provided. All AAPIP anniversary events are free and open to all AAPIP members and conference attendees. For details and to register, visit AAPIP’s Web site.

• Local anniversary events. Special community events are planned in 2005 through AAPIP’s eight chapters in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. The Twin Cities event will occur in November.

• Anniversary booklet. In April, AAPIP will release a special anniversary booklet to document milestone dates and events in AAPIP’s 15-year history, recognize key people involved in its development, and look ahead to the organization’s future challenges.

• Web site. AAPIP has unveiled a new section on its Web site where visitors can view information on 15th anniversary events around the country, download anniversary resources and read highlights of AAPIP’s history.

"We encourage everyone who shares our commitment and passion for developing strong Asian Pacific American communities to join us in marking AAPIP’s 15th anniversary," says Saika.

For more information on AAPIP, contact Maria Kong, associate director, at 415.273.2760, maria@aapip.org.

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