May is AAPI Heritage Month — a time to honor those who enrich the history of our country and pay homage to their culture. There are 24 million AAPI individuals in the U.S. population, according to the United States Census Bureau. And according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, there has been a rise in Asian hate by 339% since 2020 — now is more important than ever to support the AAPI community and celebrate those who are a key part of our country and culture. From the arts and the LGBTQ+ community to education and mental health, here are 13 AAPI organizations to donate to with a variety of initiatives for AAPI heritage.
- Asian American Journalism Association (AAJA)
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For 40 years, the AAJA has been giving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders a voice in journalism and the newsroom. They fight for inclusion and more representation. When you donate to AAJA, you’re contributing to more diversity in the newsroom, playing a part in increasing accurate coverage of AAPI individuals, and supporting educational programs, all of which will create a brighter future for journalism.
- Asian Art Initiative
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Through creative expression and art, the Asian Arts Initiative shares the experiences of the AAPI community and others, as well as ignites social change. This Philadelphia-based organization puts on art exhibitions that promote equity and justice, host classes and workshops that teach new artists, and provide opportunities for artists to collaborate with the community. Your donation will help the Asian Art Initiative continue sharing the power of art and fund educational programs for young leaders.
- #ImReady Movement
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The #ImReady Movement made by AAPI Women Lead, a community-based organization run by women to end racial and gender violence, aims to strengthen the presence of the AAPI community in social and political platforms through the leadership of API women. It focuses on racial discrimination, war, and immigration and celebrates the power of women in all walks of life, such as education and business. Donations contribute to the research that is needed to tell the stories of AAPI women all around the world.
- Asian Mental Health Collective (AMHC)
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According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, only 23.3% of AAPI adults with mental illness received treatment in 2019. This is due to the lack of resources available, but also, the stigma of mental health in Asian cultures. AMHC aims to de-stigmatize the topic of mental health in the Asian community and create more resources. They strive to make mental health resources available and more accessible for the AAPI community worldwide. They don’t want to go against cultural values, but rather integrate the shared backgrounds of the AAPI community with the increased efforts toward mental well-being and mental health. When you donate, you’re a part of the movement towards more accessible mental health resources for the AAPI community.
- Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)
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AALDEF is a New York-based organization dedicated to the civil rights of Asian Americans. Through litigation, advocacy, and education, AALDEF works with AAPI communities to stop Asian hate and pave a way for human rights for everyone. Your donations are a part of a change toward a future where everyone is guaranteed civil rights.
- Stop AAPI Hate
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The hate towards the AAPI community has been on the rise since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 9,000 anti-Asian incidents reported since 2020. Now is a better time than any to give back to the AAPI community and help curb these alarming statistics. Stop AAPI Hate uses their organization to report on acts of hate, educate on current events, and engage in conversations in the community and the government to decrease anti-AAPI racism. To aid Stop AAPI Hate in the response and tracking of the surge in racism and xenophobia, you can make a donation to their page.
- Welcome To Chinatown
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Welcome to Chinatown is a community-restoration organization that focuses on keeping the culture alive and the businesses booming directly in New York City’s Chinatown — a neighborhood with a deep-rooted history of immigrants, entrepreneurs, and generations of Asian descent. When you donate, you’re aiding the organization in supporting the financial needs of businesses in Chinatown, as well as providing food to the restaurants.
- Red Canary Song
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This year’s theme for AAPI Heritage Month is advancing leaders through collaboration, focusing on legislation and strides that will advance the story of AAPI individuals on the government level. Red Canary Song is a grassroots organization that focuses on providing legal support for Asian and migrant sex workers, fitting the theme of 2022’s AAPI Heritage Month by involving government officials to decriminalize sex work and advance labor rights. You can aid in Red Canary Song’s building of coalitions and community by making a donation.
- Asian Prisoner Support Committee
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An increasing number of AAPIs are being imprisoned, detained, or deported in recent years, but the Asian Prisoner Support Committee is fighting to raise awareness about this issue and offer support to AAPI prisoners. Donations to the Asian Prisoner Support Committee help alleviate the impact of incarceration on the AAPI community through creating anti-deportation and reentry programs and providing careers for formerly incarcerated members .
- AAPI Domestic Violence Research Project (DVRP)
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DVRP provides a safe place and support system for survivors of domestic violence. They fight to raise awareness about domestic violence, prevent and end it, and help survivors rebuild their lives after abuse. Their services are both free and confidential and in over 20 AAPI languages. In 2020, they helped over 224 survivors. Your donation can be a part of this impact by supporting survivors and ending domestic violence.
- National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)
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The NQAPIA empowers the LGBTQ+ AAPI community through building on grassroots organizations, creating social justice and equity agendas, and ensuring LGBTQ+ representation in research and life. Donate to increase visibility and educate society on LGBTQ+ AAPI members.
- Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS)
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CPACS is an Atlanta-based organization that focuses on providing healthcare services to the AAPI community. AAPIs are often underrepresented and underappreciated in society, and healthcare is no exception, but organizations like this correct this undervaluation by providing health and social services for immigrants, refugees, and underprivileged members of the community. Your donation helps CPACS provide healthcare services, education, transportation, and housing for AAPI community members.
- Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)
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Through research, advocacy, and leadership development, EPIC advances social justice for the Pacific Islander community. They want to build a society where Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are thriving and liberated. You can help be an advocate for the Pacific Islander community by donating to EPIC.