Dear AAPIP Community:
With the end of 2017 fast approaching, I’ve been reflecting on what a hectic year it has been in the new political landscape, and how thankful I am for the work being undertaken by AAPIP’s national network of foundations, chapters, and giving circles.
It is true now, more than ever, that “change is the work of many.” Two weeks ago, we convened a national board, staff, and chapter leadership retreat in San Francisco that was informative and invigorating and, perhaps most importantly, reaffirmed a sense that we have the collective power to fight social and racial inequities. In 2017, we implemented the first 18 months of our 2017-2021 Strategic Plan. Together, our membership network expanded to over 500 foundation staff, trustees, individual donors, and community leaders from over 100 different organizations. Throughout the country, local chapters and giving circles organized programs and mobilized diverse resources to highlight and support local and regional AAPI community issues. Through our National Network Convening and program collaborations with our CHANGE Philanthropy coalition partners, we brought together philanthropic sector, social sector, and community leaders. At the recent retreat, we examined the learnings from the first 18 months of our five-year plan and laid the groundwork for the work ahead.
For the work accomplished in 2017 and for the work ahead, I would like to thank the members of our national board, our chapter leadership, our institutional and individual philanthropic members, each of our AAPIP giving circles, and our national staff and field partners who make AAPIP’S work possible. I end with a special note of thanks to Alex Wong, our Community Philanthropy Manager, who is leaving us at the end of the year to finish his MBA degree, but whose giving circle work and legacy will continue long after.
With gratitude, I wish all of you a happy holiday and the very best in the year to come.
Cora Mirikitani
President & CEO