Accelerating Capacity for Transformation (ACT) for AANHPIs Fund

Photo: All My Usos (Pacific Islanders Advancing Creativity, Innovation, and Financial Independent Course)

In 2024, the Asian Pacific Fund (APF) introduced its newest grant initiative, Accelerating Capacity for Transformation (ACT) for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs), inspired by successful models like the Greenlight Fund and the Latino Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Accelerator. Over two years, select nonprofits will receive $100,000, culturally relevant skill and capacity building, mentorship, and other resources to help sustain and scale their organizations in the long run.

The ACT Fund aims to foster an ecosystem where funders, community leaders, and nonprofits collaborate to address the evolving needs of the AANHPI population. By investing in a robust network of culturally competent capacity builders, coaches, and mentors, APF is building a unique ecosystem to support AANHPI nonprofits to grow, thrive, and be seen.

The inaugural cohort of ACT grantees includes:

  • All My Usos – All My Uso’s mission is to provide resources and support to under-resourced and marginalized communities, with a specific focus on serving Pacific Islander families in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. We do this through programming that strengthens relationships while cultivating community leadership and creating lasting change for families. Uso translates to brother or sister in the Samoan language and represents our Pacific Islander values of compassion, collaboration, and deep respect for relationships.
  • Bindlestiff Studio – Bindlestiff Studio cultivates artists who reflect and celebrate the diverse values, traditions, and histories of Pilipino and Filipino American cultures through bold artistic expression and community engagement.
  • Filipino Advocates for Justice – Filipino Advocates for Justice’s mission is to build a strong and empowered Filipino community by organizing constituents, developing leaders, providing services, and advocating for policies that promote social and economic justice and equity.
  • Korean American Community Services – The mission of KACS is to improve the quality of life for all Korean Americans in Santa Clara County, with a focus on those who are vulnerable, including seniors and low-income individuals. KACS accomplishes this mission by increasing access to existing community resources and providing opportunities for community involvement and civic engagement.
  • LEAD Filipino – Since 2015, LEAD Filipino has organized at the intersection of civic innovation, culturally responsive education, grassroots leadership development and local economic development efforts. Rooted in their mission to increase the representation of FilAms in public leadership, we create an environment for our members to engage in community-based campaigns, local cultural and educational programming, and statewide civil and human rights efforts.
  • Regional Pacific Islander Taskforce – The Regional Pacific Islander Taskforce was formed in 2015 to address the lack of data and reporting on Pacific Islander population health and health disparities in different health departments across the Bay Area. Serving as an advisory council to the directors of the health departments and their leadership, the Taskforce raises the awareness and visibility of Pacific Islander health and social issues.