Chinese American Philanthropy Reports
Learn how Chinese Americans in the Bay Area approach philanthropy
- Download the Reports
- Introduction
- Findings
- Community Launch Gathering
Download the Reports
“For Generations to Come: Chinese American Philanthropy in the Bay Area” This full report looks at the giving trends of Chinese American philanthropist in the Bay Area. The report provides demographic data, historically significant events, and trends that shape the giving choices of donors. Remarks and profiles of participants are included to provide how they express their philanthropic choices and interests.
“Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: Chinese American Philanthropy in the Bay Area“This companion report provides a snapshot of findings and recommendations on how to further engage Chinese Americans in philanthropy.
A Letter from Our Chairman
The Bay Area is a vibrant hub for Chinese Americans and the organizations that serve them. While the roots of our community stretch back to various parts of Asia, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, our community’s interactions are also shaped by a 150-year history in this area. Where we live, where we work, where we feel a sense of belonging—these all guide our philanthropic impulses at both a local and global level.
Now, as Bay Area Chinese Americans continue to grow more engaged in philanthropy, we recognize that the community needs further resources to help meet its philanthropic goals.
With that thought in mind, we sponsored this research report to examine the complex nature of our community and seek insights into the nature of Chinese Americans giving. We hope this report can serve as a tool to spread greater awareness of Chinese American contributions to the Bay Area, urge more giving now and in the future, and help community organizations strengthen their relationship with donors.
We are grateful for the many Chinese American leaders and philanthropists who generously shared their time and allowed us to document their stories, ideas, and philanthropic vision. We applaud their efforts to create a positive impact in the community and look forward to their guidance as we continue to build a Chinese American donor community.
Thanks to my long time friend, Emmett D. Carson, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation for their partnership in publishing these reports. This collaboration was fueled by our common vision to engage more Chinese Americans into philanthropy.
As you read through this report, we invite you to share your experiences and continue the discussion with us. A sustainable future for our community begins with your partnership.
Rolland C. Lowe, MD
Chairman, Chinese American Community Foundation
Findings & Recommendations
The key findings include:
– Chinese American philanthropists in the Bay Area give to causes both here in the United States and around the world.
– Study participants share a strong vision of working to affect the life course and health of future generations. The issues they care most about include education, cultural access and civic engagement.
– Chinese American philanthropists are interested in engaging and providing resources to organizations that they have a personal affinity with the cause and where they feel personally connected to the organization.
– When engaging with a new nonprofit organization, Chinese American philanthropists conduct high levels of due diligence to maximize resources for the good of the community.
– Philanthropists are interested in giving monies to support a specific project or cause and for general operating support.
– Study participants focused their philanthropy on a variety of causes including education, cultural access and civic engagement, workforce and leadership development and Asian American services.
The research provides the following recommendations:
– Educate the community on causes, highlight nonprofits’ needs and provide exposure to potential donors to allow for increased resources.
– Consider peer to peer outreach when exploring new relationships with potential donors.
– Nonprofits should leverage the Chinese American community’s strong sense of connection to their family and broaden the definition of family to include the community at large.
Community Groups Celebrate Launch
On March 13, 2014, over 100 Asian American community nonprofit groups and professional advisors celebrated the launch of the Chinese American philanthropy reports with us. We were honored to have so many friends and supporters at the event. Our friends and colleagues at the luncheon recognized the report as a beginning conversation and more research and analysis were needed. Most important, the attendees noted the preference to learn of recommendations and ideas from the Chinese American perspective.
Our organization will be holding small, private events to welcome reactions, discussions, and next steps with philanthropists, community groups and advisors. If you would like to participate or have ideas you wish to share, please don’t hesitate to contact Gillian Yeoh at gillian@chineseamericancf.org.
Please find photos of the event by visiting the photo album, kindly shared by Frank Jang.
