KYUNG B. YOON
KACF President
Letter from KACF President
Dear Friend of KACF,

Philanthropy has many faces centered around the desire to promote the welfare of others. Whether a one-time gift, volunteering monthly to provide hot meals or medical checkups, or board service, each form of giving occupies a valuable space in making our community better. Today there are countless opportunities to give.

You might wonder - among all the ways giving happens, what is the specific value add of a foundation? The answer to this core question is at the heart of why KACF exists as a community-based foundation.

Community foundations, as organizations rooted within the communities they serve, are experts on local challenges, from environment and education to immigrant hardships and homelessness. We build awareness of local issues to the community, keep our thumb on the pulse of best practices for distribution of funds, provide education on effective giving, and create stable partnerships for nonprofits serving those same communities in developing long-term solutions and philanthropic support. Darren Walker, of the Ford Foundation, summed it up eloquently when he said that foundations are in the "business of hope."

Despite the uncertainties and complexities behind what so many Korean American families face every day, we look forward to continuing to strengthen the presence of hope for families facing economic insecurity in our community as we proactively deepen partnerships with individuals, institutions and nonprofits in 2019.

We're thrilled to announce the opening of applications for our 2019 grant cycle and the Community Grants Committee (CGC). If you are interested in taking a closer look at the issues affecting our community, we invite you to apply to CGC to see firsthand a foundation at work.

Warm wishes for a wonderful 2019,
The 2019 grant application is now available.
The deadline to apply is February 15, 2019.

KACF funds organizations/programs that strengthen the economic security of low-income Korean Americans in the greater New York metropolitan area.

  • Maximum grant request amount is $75,000.
  • KACF provides general operating and program-specific support. An organization with a budget of $2 million or less may request a general operating or a program-specific support.
  • We support direct-service, community organizing, and/or advocacy projects.

KACF is particularly interested in organizations that:
  • Have the intention of providing comprehensive support;
  • Are working with Korean Americans either as a target population or within the larger group of constituents served by the organization/program;
  • Are measuring and documenting quantitative and qualitative outcomes.

It is highly encouraged that first-time applicants first contact our Program Director Brennan Gang at  brennan@kacfny.org  prior to applying.

Members of the Community Grants Committee (CGC) are all volunteers who work in small teams to review grant applications, gather information during site visits, and make recommendations for funding that will be considered by the KACF Board of Directors. Through CGC service, you will have the opportunity to learn about issues affecting the Korean American community and grassroots solutions, as well as apply your own expertise and professional/personal experience in helping the Foundation invest in our community.  
 
To be considered for the CGC, please submit this online application by February 8, 2019.  
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY