Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Fund

What is the AANHPI Fund?

The AANHPI Fund was established in 2024 to empower the lives and futures of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) in the Inland Empire through community philanthropy, investment in educational excellence, leadership development, program and project support, and capacity building.

What are the benefits of the AANHPI Fund?

• Grow philanthropy to bring needed resources and impact to our AANHPI community
• Learn about ways you can uplift the Inland Empire’s AANHPI community and lend your support
• Participate in advocating for AANHPI residents and their families
• Combine your gift with others to enhance impact
• Network with others who are philanthropically minded and
• Live your passion to meaningfully improve the lives of AANHPI residents

With your help, IECF’s AANHPI Fund can support the nonprofit organizations serving our region’s AANHPI residents and their families by building organizational capacity and sustainability of vital programming, as well as shedding light on areas where we can amplify AANHPI programs, initiatives and voices.

Informing Our Work with Community Data

In April 2025, AAPI Data and the California Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander American Affairs released One in Ten: The State of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the Inland Empire, the first report of its kind for our region. IECF is proud to use its findings to inform future grantmaking through the AANHPI Fund. Key highlights from the report include:

• One in every ten Inland Empire residents identifies as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander.

• The Asian American population grew by over 200% in Riverside County and 120% in San Bernardino County between 2000 and 2020; Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations grew by nearly 150% in Riverside County and 70% in San Bernardino County during the same period.

• Despite high employment rates, many AANHPI workers in the region face persistent economic hardship, highlighting ongoing barriers to economic mobility.

Fund Launches with $100,000 in Gifts

The AANHPI Fund officially launched in May 2025 during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a community celebration at La Sierra University. More than 100 attendees gathered to mark the occasion, highlighting the region’s growing commitment to empowering Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. The event included the announcement of $100,000 in initial commitments, setting the stage for impactful investments in education, leadership development, and nonprofit capacity building throughout the Inland Empire. Grounded in the principles of vital conditions and belonging, the Fund aims to create lasting pathways for opportunity and equity in the communities it serves.

“The AANHPI community in the Inland Empire has made extraordinary contributions to our region, yet significant disparities persist in access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The IECF AANHPI Fund is a bold step toward addressing these challenges, empowering our communities, and ensuring that every individual is recognized, supported, and has the opportunity to thrive.”

BENJAMIN NATE, State Manager at the Department of Justice (DOJ),
IECF Board Member,
AANHPI Fund Founding Chair