The Asian Pacific Community Fund presented $15,000 in grant awards focused on developing Asian Pacific Islander youth leaders in the community as well as the political arena. The funds for each grant award were generated through APCF programs, which enable colleagues, friends, and/or community members to pool their charitable donations to make a more significant impact. Through APCF programs, the FF Fraternity was able to set up their Donor Advised Fund a little over a year ago and continued to raise funds until they reached their goal of $10,000. This grant award was presented to the Los Angeles Chinatown Youth Council Program at the Chinatown Service Center. APCF also administered and coordinated the APCF Board of Directors & Friends Giving Circle, which presented its $5000 grant award to help fund the Japanese American Citizens League – Pacific Southwest District’s Mobilize for Policy Program.

Special guests included City of Alhambra Councilman Gary Yamauchi, Mike Fong from the Office of Los Angeles Councilman Ed Reyes, LA County Office of the Assessor Special Assistant Carol Quan, President of the Los Angeles County Cambodian Employee Association Tevy Sithan.

This first annual awards reception reaches out to the next generation of philanthropists and seeks to cultivate leaders serving the Asian Pacific Islander community. A total of six awards in three categories were presented to honor young people and organizations that are making a difference in the Asian Pacific Islander community through their exceptional leadership and volunteer service.

Honorees included the following:

• Asian Professional Exchange, "Community Excellence Award," Professional Category
• Asian Pacific Health Corps at UCLA, "Community Excellence Award," High School/College Category
• Jennifer Lin, National Vice President, Project by Project, "Distinguished Leader in Philanthropy Award," Category 25-35
• Scott Chan, Board Member, Japanese American Citizen's League - Pacific Southwest District, "Distinguished Leader in Philanthropy Award," Category 17-24
• Joann Lee, Board Secretary, Korean Resource Center, "Exemplary Community Service Award," Category 25-35
• Kathy Khommarath, Board Member, National Asian Pacific Women's Forum - LA Chapter, "Exemplary Community Service Award," Category 17-24

Event Sponsor Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, Bronze Sponsor the California Endowment, and Community Sponsors the Korean Resource Center, the LTSC Community Development Corporation, Suzanne, Nagami, Gilbert Tong, Robert Yap along with many others enabled APCF to raise funds that evening to go toward the work of the Asian Pacific Community Fund as the only Asian Pacific Islander community-based fund of its kind in Southern California.

Established in 1990, APCF has a long history working to fulfill a need for a united effort to educate and encourage donors to direct their charitable giving to benefit community organizations serving the rapidly growing population of Asian Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles.

Since its founding, APCF has raised and distributed over $1.5 million in unrestricted grants to its 29 Affiliate Agencies providing culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate programs and services to improve the lives of over 200,000 people each year including: disadvantaged children, youth, disabled, seniors, immigrants, refugees, battered women, and low-income families.

This event recognizing young philanthropists for their leadership and service is just another way the Asian Pacific Community Fund has been building a community of giving – one donor at a time.

Save the date for our 3rd Annual Giving For All Seasons Fundraising Gala on July 23rd, 2009 at the Grammy Museum Rooftop Terrace at LA Live.