In the early 2000s, a group of leaders came together to create a new way to support Asian American & Pacific Islander communities in Chicago region because there was not any philanthropy that specifically focused on AAPIs. At the time, less than 0.4% of national philanthropic funding reached AAPI communities. They envisioned a collective giving model and partnered with The Chicago Community Trust to establish the Asian Giving Circle (AGC). 

 

As the region’s community foundation, the Trust has united donors, nonprofits and residents for over 100 years to ensure opportunity and prosperity are within reach for everyone. Since inception, AGC has specifically  granted more than $1.12 million to 62 AAPI-serving nonprofits, activated over 400 individuals as philanthropists, and helped inspire more than 50 AAPI giving circles throughout the country.

 

With recent multi-year funding from Asian Giving Circle’s Community Development Fund, CMAA is working closely with Indo-American Center and Apna Ghar to develop the future Pan Asian Center.

 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, The Trust provided critical rapid response grants to CMAA which helped us pivot to virtual education and social services appointments for clients, provide crisis services such as rental assistance, and financially persevere.

 

CMAA’s first point of connection was a three-year grant from The Trust in the 1990s. With this grant, CMAA was able to deliver the Multi-Cultural Youth Program in the northside and in collaboration with other area organizations. MCYP was the precursor to today’s diverse young leaders K–8 after school programs as well as Young Women Warriors and Young Men Making Moves teen mentoring programs.