• November 2007, Volume 5, Issue 5

Asian and Pacific Island communities not benefiting from record philanthropy

Aiko SchaeferWe’ve been hearing a lot about philanthropy lately, and the overall rise in giving.

One might think that communities in the greatest need are seeing the impact of these gifts. However, a report issued by Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy earlier this year exposes a sad hidden reality. Though charitable giving may be rising, giving to Asian communities is lagging far behind. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (API) represent nearly 5 percent of the U.S. population, but at last count, API communities received just 0.4 percent of all U.S. foundation gifts.

Seattle boasts a strong API community of more than 75,000. Yet the API community is still being neglected in philanthropy, even here.

There is a prevailing myth in the society at large that Asian Americans are the “model minority.” Asians are “such hard workers,” so “well-educated,” and are “doing just fine.” While these notions are not derogatory in a traditional sense, they nonetheless harm the API community.

The API community, like other communities of color, suffers disproportionately under the weight of society’s problems. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are more likely than whites to live in poverty, are experiencing growing health risks, increased rates of hate-related violence, and see major gaps in educational achievement.

Part of the problem may lie in the measures used. All too often, progress for communities of color is measured not against the society at large, but against other communities of color. In this framework, the API community appears to be doing well. But this can no longer be the yardstick we use.

We can no longer settle for being the “model minority.” It is time to change the measure, to demand equality and opportunity for all, on equal grounds. By raising up the API community and measuring progress on a common scale, we can raise up all communities of color.

So, how do we start making these demands? We can start by learning how to give. It’s about giving voice to the issues that matter, about giving a moment of thought to those who are struggling. It’s about being active in the groups that are making a difference: groups like the Asian Counseling and Referral Center, which offers a broad array of human services and behavioral health programs to Asian Pacific Americans. Or supporting Hate-Free Zone, which works to build power within immigrant communities and has been a leader in the fight for immigration reform, and Korean Women’s Association, which offers a variety of services to anyone in need. .

Finally, it’s about redefining philanthropy. The “mega-givers” are not the only ones who can make a difference. Everyone can empower themselves to give and can think of themselves as a philanthropist. Let’s not continue to allow the API community, and other communities of color, to be denied the benefit of our country’s record-setting generosity. Each individual can figure out what he or she can spare, and no matter how large or small that amount, the important thing is the giving. We must donate to the groups that are important to us, and we must challenge the foundations to which we already give to invest in communities of color.

Collectively, we can make a difference for the API community. Let’s use the power of our own donations to tip the scales toward equality in charitable giving. By doing so, we’ll take one step closer to creating a more just society.

Bookda Gheisar is executive director of the Social Justice Fund Northwest. Aiko Schaefer is director of the Statewide Poverty Action Network.

Check out the links below on philanthropic research reports produced by the Greenlining Institute...

Greenlining Institute Research Reports on Philanthropic Giving

http://greenlining.org/sections/view/documents?documentType=8

Fairness in Philanthropy Part I: Foundation Giving to Minority-led Nonprofits

This study analyzes the giving of the nation's largest foundations to determine how equitably foundation dollars are allocated across the sector. Greenlining's findings show that the top fifty independent foundations and the top twenty-five community foundations awarded only 3 percent of total grant dollars to minority-led nonprofits in 2002. These levels are markedly inadequate and illustrate a vast disparity in philanthropic dollars being targeted to organizations that both lead and serve communities of color.

Fairness in Philanthropy Part II: Perspectives from the Field

This study looks at why foundation funding for minority-led nonprofits is so low and how the diversity practices and policies of foundations affect giving priorities. Findings are based on interviews conducted with foundation leaders and nonprofit executives. Respondents identified several barriers to funding for minority-led nonprofits including: the inability to access foundations; the lack of trust between minority-led nonprofits and foundations; and inadequate resources on the part of many minority-led nonprofits to devote to relationship building with foundation staff.

Investing in a Diverse Democracy: Foundation Giving to Minority-Led Nonprofits

This report analyzes grantmaking of the nation's largest private foundations and California's largest private and community foundations. It finds a tremendous disparity in giving among these foundations to minority-led nonprofits.

CA 2006 Legislative Hearings on Philanthropy

Members of California's Latino Legislative Caucus, Legislative Black Caucus, and Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus held a historic joint hearing on April 24, 2006 to discuss diversity in grantmaking and governance in the philanthropic sector.