Dear Friends,
2025 was a pivotal year of growth, meaningful change, and measurable impact for TAAF—from investing in the safety and revitalization of our local communities, to building brighter futures for our young people, to creating a campaign that celebrates our unique identities. Together we continued to meet the AAPI community’s most pressing needs through investing in and innovating with partners, while also coming together as a community for moments of celebration and reflection.
When TAAF launched in 2021, we were focused on reacting and responding to the national anti-Asian hate crisis, meeting the needs of our community with urgency and attention. With learnings over four years and conversations with the community, we have been sharpening our approach to impact. This year, we have been positioning the organization to deepen our work in key cities where AAPI populations are the largest to drive meaningful, place-based change.
Informed by conversations with community members and research at the city level, we’re piloting solutions in partnership with philanthropic, government, and private sector leaders to meet specific community needs. And while we are going deeper in cities, we still remain as committed as ever to our national research and safety, prosperity, and belonging initiatives.
As you read this annual report, I hope you feel a sense of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over the past year. Thank you for your partnership and your support of our mission. We look forward to continuing our work together to create a better future for AAPIs.
With gratitude,
Norman Chen
CEO, The Asian American Foundation
Leadership in investing, innovating, and convening
TAAF drives impact for the AAPI community through a combination of strategic investments, innovative programming, and convenings of leaders to co-create solutions. From investing in AAPI organizations, changemakers, and storytellers to launching groundbreaking research and initiatives, we're strengthening the movement for AAPI safety, belonging, and prosperity.
Safety
To root out hate and violence, we strengthen critical infrastructure, provide resources and support to community organizations, and galvanize public and private partnerships to solve challenges across the country.
Belonging
We combat misrepresentation through research, education, and authentic storytelling that uplifts our community and fosters understanding among other communities.
Prosperity
We take a holistic approach to uplifting AAPI communities through targeted investment and support. To root out hate and violence, we strengthen critical infrastructure, provide resources and support to community organizations, and galvanize public and private partnerships to solve challenges across the country.
Our Impact Flywheel
TAAF leverages strengths and partnerships to create community impact.
Step 1
Lead with Research
We conduct and publish rigorous research to identify the most pressing needs facing AAPI communities—translating data into action and equipping local partners with the insights to drive meaningful change.
Step 2
Convene and Build Coalitions
We convene philanthropic, government, and private sector leaders to develop locally-driven, data-informed solutions.
Step 3
Pilot Solutions
We implement and test high-potential solutions in local communities to identify interventions that can be scaled nationally.
Step 4
Scale Programs
We work alongside co-funders and community partners with a commitment to building long-term, sustainable impact. The most effective pilot solutions are scaled nationally by partners to create a self-sustaining cycle.
Our Work
Safety
We’re working to make cities across the country safer for AAPI communities: protecting neighborhoods, strengthening small businesses, and ensuring families can live, work, and thrive without fear.
JUNE 2025
TAAF Cities: Seattle
We launched TAAF Cities in Seattle, an initiative which aims to spur cross-sector investments and develop innovative solutions that promote economic opportunity, safety, and cultural pride in neighborhoods where the city’s vibrant AAPI communities reside.
JUNE 2025
TAAF Safety Network
TAAF’s Safety National Network comprises leading national, regional and local organizations that provide essential direct services, safety, and healing to communities affected by hate incidents and crimes.
JUNE 2025
Train the Trainer Program with Right to Be
TAAF and Right To Be partnered to expand access to bystander intervention trainings that foster safety and belonging, with a goal of reaching up to 10,000 people in our first year.
Belonging
We’re increasing representation and shifting culture through authentic storytelling—ensuring AAPIs are seen and see themselves as central to the American story in classrooms, on screens, and in everyday life.
JULY 2025
Asian+American
The “Asian+American” PSA campaign encourages Asian Americans everywhere to celebrate the complexity and beauty of their dual identities. Created in partnership with Wieden+Kennedy New York, the national initiative rolled out across events, digital, social, press, and out-of-home platforms nationwide.
JANUARY 2025
CAPE x TAAF Filmmaker Finishing Fund
The fund is aimed at building career longevity for AAPI filmmakers by supporting their second through fifth feature films. The 2025 Rising Filmmakers Finishing Fund was awarded to two writer-directors, who received post-production grants to complete their features.
JANUARY 2025
Sundance | TAAF Fellowship and Scholarship
Launched in 2022 with support from Panda Express and the MacArthur Foundation, this initiative has empowered 36 AAPI artists through dedicated Fellowships and Scholarships. Together, these programs provide the essential funding and professional development needed to elevate AAPI voices in film.
JANUARY 2025
Rideback RISE Fellowship
The RISE Fellowship identifies an annual cohort of BIPOC Fellows who are supported financially and creatively to make commercial film and television projects across all genres. Fellows are experienced and established writers, filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs throughout the industry.
OCTOBER 2025
HIFILM Industry Conference
Part of the Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF), the inaugural event convened filmmakers, industry leaders, and emerging creatives who are building global resonance for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander storytelling.
JUNE 2025
The New York Times Partnership
We continued our partnership with The New York Times to examine how AAPI creative output is impacting popular culture. The stories in this independently-reported series, which is funded by a TAAF grant, exceeded expectations for reach and audience engagement.
JULY 2025
Heritage Heroes
Directed by prominent AAPI filmmakers, TAAF’s award-winning Heritage Heroes series highlights everyday heroes who are making a difference for our communities. Two of the short films were released in 2025, completing all three seasons and available to stream on Prime Video.
JUNE 2025
White House Correspondents Brunch
TAAF cohosted the 3rd Annual AAPI White House Correspondents Brunch in Washington, DC to honor the AAPI White House and National Correspondents and celebrate AAPI journalists who ensure our narratives and stories are brought into homes every day.
JUNE 2025
AsAm News Partnership
TAAF commissioned a series of longform stories in AsAmNews covering AAPIs in the Midwest and South, communities that deserve more coverage and attention.
Belonging: Youth+Education
APRIL 2025
AAPI History Hub
The AAPI History Hub is a first-of-its-kind online platform for K-12 educators providing access to hundreds of vetted lesson plans, multimedia, and other learning materials. An expanded version was unveiled in April 2025.
New Hub Features
An expansive library of 320+ vetted, classroom-ready resources
A vetted list of in-person training programs and virtual learning opportunities
An interactive map that spotlights experiential, outside-of-the-classroom “learning experiences”
An interactive map tracking state-level policies and standards
MAY 2025
Fighting to Belong Vol.II
TAAF and Third State Books released Fighting to Belong! Volume II on May 22, 2025, the second installment of a three-part graphic novel series that brings AAPI history to life for children ages 8-13. Fighting to Belong Volume III will be released in Fall of 2026.
NOVEMBER 2025
Youth Mental Health Summit
TAAF was joined by mental health practitioners, educators, and community leaders in San Francisco for our AAPI Youth Mental Health Summit: Sparking Solutions Together. Panelists discussed findings from TAAF's report Beyond the Surface, and the community shared approaches in supporting youth.
Prosperity
We’re investing in the AAPI leaders of today and tomorrow by expanding opportunities for our community to rise, and increasing support and mentorship across all levels—from those just beginning their careers to those in the boardroom ready to lift up the next generation.
SEPTEMBER 2025
TALA
Launched in September, TALA is a career and leadership development program that supports the economic mobility and holistic wellbeing of AAPI college students from under-resourced backgrounds. We partnered with two trusted community organizations who focus on AAPI youth and leadership: Asian American Dream in New York, and Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute in San Francisco.
MAY 2025
TAAF ERG Network (TEN)
TEN was created in response to our corporate partners requesting we build a community to bring together ERG leaders to share best practices, provide professional development opportunities, build belonging, and provide networking opportunities.
JUNE 2025
Nike ERG Event
We welcomed 170+ AAPI professionals from across the country to the TAAF + Nike ERG Summit. Held at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, the summit explored how to cultivate a "Winning Mindset."
MAY 2025
Board Strategy
This year, we formed our TAAF Board Accelerator and will convene AAPI Corporate Board Directors and allies to address the AAPI leadership gap in Corporate America and on Fortune boards through a leadership pipeline.
Data+Research
We're conducting research to inform our communities' greatest needs, and turning data into action by developing innovative solutions.
MAY 2025
STAATUS Index
TAAF released the fifth annual Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the United States (STAATUS) Index. Drawing on five years of data, it examined how stereotypes, misperceptions, and media, culture, and information consumption habits shape how AAPIs are viewed—often in stark contrast to their lived realities.
Some notable findings:
NOVEMBER 2025
Analysis of AAPI Targeted Robberies
TAAF released Analysis of AAPI-Targeted Robberies: Patterns, Trends, and Implications, a report that examines nearly 500 robbery cases affecting AAPI communities that occurred over seven years.
AUGUST 2025
Horizon of Opportunities
TAAF released Horizon of Opportunities: Asian American Studies Programs at Research Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges, a report which offers a snapshot of where the field of Asian American Studies (AAS) stands in higher education today.
OCTOBER 2025
Reframing Representation
Reframing Representation: The Case for More Asian and Asian American Narratives in Hollywood, is a report using data and lessons from case studies showing that having more Asians and Asian Americans onscreen and behind the camera can actually expand audiences, open new markets and generate unexpected revenues.
In Community
In 2025, we brought our community together across 20 convenings to build AAPI power in media, sports, culture, and more.
Read our full 2025 Impact Report
Our mission is to serve the Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in their pursuit of safety, belonging, and prosperity that is free from discrimination, slander, and violence.
