This week we bring our attention to organizations that are making a difference. Many of our interviews and articles have been about individuals but it’s become very apparent that there are hundreds if not thousands of Korean organizations across the U.S. who have cultivated communities. Try googling “Korean communities, foundations and organizations,” and you’ll discover tons of them. One of the most prominent organizations that I’ve personally come across is the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York and they’ve impacted countless number of people. Though we’re a minority, we are so much stronger when we come together for a common cause and for service.
Founded in 2002, the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) has grown to become a trusted source of philanthropy within the Korean and Asian American communities. As of 2009, KACF has made more than 60 grants totaling $1 million to 20 community-based non-profit organizations working to improve lives and transform communities.
Equally important, KACF is cultivating a culture of giving and community-building among Korean Americans of all generations. Our vision is a vibrant Korean American community engaged in strengthening our society through philanthropy, volunteerism, and compassionate leadership.
We sat down with Kyung Yoon, the executive director of KACF, and she shared with us the hope and passion of many Korean-Americans who are serving the needy. What I’ve discovered is that we need more KACF’s because their work truly impacts the lives of so many. I hope you may join an organization that services the needs of our community.
The Korean American Community Foundation is holding its 4th annual Building Bridges Gala on Wednesday night in New York City at Pier Sixty in Chelsea Piers. This year’s guests include keynote speaker Dr. Jim Yong Kim, the new president of Dartmouth and Andrew Kim of Sit/Kim International Investment. Co-emceeing the event will be ABC News Juju Chang and SuChin Pak of MTV.
The needs of current and future grantee partners in the greater New York area are more acute than ever due to the direct and indirect effects of the economic downturn. Therefore, the funds that we raise through this year?s gala will have an even greater impact. It is also our continuing imperative to raise awareness – awareness that there are many in the greater New York area, including Korean Americans, who lack resources and opportunities; that there are great organizations that are working within the community to provide real solutions; and of KACF’s ongoing efforts to bridge the Korean American community and all the other communities for the greater good.
We hope that the Fourth Annual Building Bridges Gala will once again bring the community together in a celebration of the outstanding contributions of our honorees, the courageous work of our grantee organizations and engage supporters in the ongoing work of our Foundation. We look forward to seeing you there.
Friday night is the 2nd annual summer benefit for the KACF and it’ll be at the Marquee club in the Chelsea area of New York City. So what’s KACF? The Korean American Community Foundation (KACF), is a non-profit based in New York that raises and distributes funds to local community service organizations that support victims of domestic violence, families with special needs and the elderly.
Dive into a summer of giving!
KACF is proud to host its 2nd annual summer benefit event at Marquee from 7:30pm – 10:30pm.
What: Fundraiser with 3-hour premium open bar and fabulous raffle prizes
When: Friday, June 19, 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Where: Marquee (289 10th Ave, between 26th & 27th St)
Why: Your support will go a long way towards providing essential services to underserved communities around New York.
Ticket Purchase: http://kacfny.googlepages.com/ – Website closes at 4pm on Friday, June 19th!
Tickets are $85 online; $75 online for groups of 5 or more; $95 at the door.
Raffle prizes:
- 1 Nintendo Wii
- 1 hour open bar for up to 20 people at Butterfield 8
- 3 signature bangles from b-side by ken & dana, as seen at Bergdorf Goodman
- Luxurious gift basket from 3LAB
- 4 Gold Passports to Chelsea Piers (Day Pass and rentals to Health Club & Spa, Golf Club, Ice Skating -Rink, Batting Cages and Bowling)
- 2 passes to Italian Wine Merchants’ Saturday wine tasting series
- $200 gift certificate to Butterfield 8
- $75 gift certificate to Japanese dessert bar Kyotofu
- $75 gift certificate and Italian Restaurants Zagat Guide from Aroma Kitchen and Winebar
Kyung Yoon has a knack for being in the right place at the right moment.
Like in 1990, when African-American community leaders called for a boycott of Korean green grocers in Flatbush, Brooklyn, after a Haitian woman claimed she had been beaten and wrongly accused of shoplifting.
Yoon, the daughter of Korean diplomats who grew up in Washington and Paris, suddenly found herself the only Korean reporter covering the story for local television.
“I was able to go to town with this story,” said Yoon, then a reporter for WNYW television. Read>
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This week we bring our attention to organizations that are making a difference. Many of our interviews and articles have been about individuals but it’s become very apparent that there are hundreds if not thousands of Korean organizations across the U.S. who have cultivated communities. Try googling “Korean communities, foundations and organizations,” and you’ll discover tons of them. One of the most prominent organizations that I’ve personally come across is the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York and they’ve impacted countless number of people. Though we’re a minority, we are so much stronger when we come together for a common cause and for service.
