Korean American Foundation Awards $222,500 in Community Grants; Will Surpass $1 Million in Total Giving This Year
Los Angeles, CA – Korean American Foundation (KAF) announced that it will grant over $1 million to the community this year, marking a major philanthropic milestone just seven years after its founding.
As of October, KAF has already distributed $776,500 through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and Restricted Funds to support a wide range of nonprofit organizations. In addition, KAF selected 23 organizations through its annual community grant application process in July to receive a combined $222,500 in community grants, which were awarded at the 2025 KAF Grant Ceremony on November 5 at EK Gallery in Los Angeles.
With these distributions, KAF has grown into an organization that will provide more than $1 million in community funding within a single year – a testament to its expanding role as a catalyst for Korean American philanthropy.
The ceremony brought together nonprofit leaders, KAF Board Members, and Founders Circle donors to celebrate impactful work across seven key funding priorities:
- Housing Assistance
- Hardship Support
- Senior Care & Well-Being
- Mental Health & Disabilities
- Community Development
- Next Generation Development
- Inter-Community Relations
Presented at the Grant Ceremony, the 2025 KAF Community Grant recipients include:
- Anderson Munger Family YMCA
- Asian American Job Training Center (AAJTC)
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL)
- DTLA Police Boosters
- Human-I-T
- Karsh Family Social Service Center
- Korea Town Senior and Community Center (KSCCLA)
- Korean American Coalition - Los Angeles (KACLA)
- Korean American Dementia Center
- Korean American Family Services (KFAM)
- Korean American Institute (KAI)
- Korean American Leaders in Hollywood (KALH)
- Korean American Seniors Association of Orange County (KASAOC)
- KoreanAmericanStory.org
- Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC)
- Love In Music
- OBA Foundation
- Rainbow Family
- Seesaw Communities
- Torrance South Bay YMCA
- Turbo Charitable Foundation
- UCLA Community School
- YouStar Foundation
“Each year, we see firsthand the incredible work being done by community-based organizations serving the Korean American community and beyond,” said Robin Kim, KAF Board Member and Chair of the Grant Committee. “Our goal is to strengthen these organizations and expand their capacity to serve – because when they thrive, our entire community benefits.”
New this year, KAF introduced the KAF Impact Award, recognizing an organization that demonstrated exceptional results with its prior grant. The inaugural recipient, Asian American Job Training Center (AAJTC), was recognized for its outstanding work empowering low-income and immigrant individuals through vocational training. AAJTC received an additional $2,500 grant in recognition of its achievement.
The ceremony also highlighted the Founders Circle, a group of visionary donors who have each pledged $100,000 or more to KAF, ensuring sustainable support for future generations.
A light lunch followed the ceremony, offering nonprofit leaders and guests an opportunity to connect and learn more about KAF’s expanding philanthropic work.
With these distributions, KAF has grown into an organization that will provide over $1 million in community funding within a single year – a testament to the foundation’s expanding role as a catalyst for Korean American philanthropy.
Recently, KAF also raised over $150,000 at its 2nd Fundraising Golf Tournament, held on October 29 at Strawberry Farms Golf Club, with co-title sponsors Jamison Services and H Mart.
