APIs RISE Fund

The APIs RISE Fund, administered through the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, is a philanthropic initiative led by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community leaders and donors. Its mission is to increase the impact and capacity of AANHPI giving in California’s capital region, fostering leadership and promoting equity. The fund supports projects that uplift the AANHPI community by addressing pressing social and health needs through grassroots engagement and strategic funding. The fund is designed to strengthen multi-racial democracy through leadership development, community empowerment, and media literacy. Specific focus areas include increasing the visibility and impact of AANHPI leadership, enhancing the community's social media presence through movement journalism, and expanding access to mental health resources tailored to AANHPI populations. Grants are awarded to projects that clearly articulate how they align with these thematic priorities, and demonstrate the organization’s track record in serving AANHPI communities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits that serve Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific Islander populations, and their proposed projects must serve Sacramento and/or Yolo counties. Organizations must not have received APIs RISE grants in two consecutive years since 2020. Strong preference is given to Pacific Islander-led and -serving organizations. Projects must take place in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, or El Dorado counties, though only Sacramento and Yolo are eligible for funding. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded. Applicants must submit a project description, organizational background, rationale for suitability, a detailed budget and justification, and a one-page final report if funded. Only one proposal per organization is allowed, and the submission must be completed through the online portal—no email or paper applications are accepted. The application window for this round opened on December 16, 2024, and closed on January 17, 2025. While this particular cycle is closed, APIs RISE is a recurring program, and interested applicants are encouraged to register for alerts about future rounds. The next expected application period is projected to open in December 2025, and potential applicants should begin preparations accordingly. For eligibility and criteria questions, applicants can contact the program via the provided emails: jasonmjong@gmail.com or vincesales@aol.com. The fund emphasizes maintaining up-to-date organizational profiles in the grant portal, especially for those applying under fiscal sponsorship.

Ensure clear articulation of organizational suitability and focus on AANHPI populations; Pacific Islander-led organizations are prioritized