Asian Giving Circle

🌟 45th Anniversary: Voice & Vision Gala – Building Our Future 🌟

We’re thrilled to honor Asian Giving Circle and The Chicago Community Trust with the 2026 Visionary of the Year Award for their decades of incredible support to CMAA and our community programs. 💛

✨ Celebrate leadership. ✨ Connect with changemakers. ✨ Be part of the future we’re building together.

🎟️ Join us for an unforgettable evening. Reserve your spot today!

📅 Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, 301 E. North Water Street, Chicago, IL 60611
🔗 https://givebutter.com/2026-cmaa-gala

Please join the Asian Giving Circle (AGC) as we host our 2026 Annual Meeting! Thursday, April 16, 2026 , 5:00 - 7:00 PM @ The Chicago Community Trust

Join AGC members, friends, and partners as we take a look back at the past year, chart our path forward for 2026 and beyond, and hear your feedback and input.

This meeting marks an exciting milestone. We've been in a year-long strategic planning process, and we'll be unveiling our new growth priorities: from member, fundraising, and grantmaking expansion, to strengthening the volunteer-led infrastructure that keeps this work going.

Whether you're a long-time member, or curious about getting involved for the first time, we'd love for you to be part of shaping what comes next. Come discover how you can get involved - or go even deeper - in the work we're doing together.

Light refreshments and assorted beverages will be available.

We look forward to being in community with you!

Register by scanning the QR code or registering at this link https://www.eventcreate.com/e/agc-annual-meeting-2026

Sharing this heartbreaking news. Michael Caga-anan Aguhar was a friend and supporter of Asian Giving Circle, and we will miss his leadership and advocacy in our community. Please keep his colleagues at Crossroads Fund and his family in your hearts. His friends and family have setup a fundraising page to support his partner Irina and toddler Zoya in these times. https://crossroadsfund.org/michael-caga-anan-aguhar/

We write today with heavy hearts to share the sad news of the passing of our beloved friend and colleague, Michael Caga-anan Aguhar. Michael died unexpectedly on Friday, February 20th, after a sudden medical emergency. We are holding close to all who loved him, especially his partner, Irina, and their toddler, Zoya, whom Michael loved beyond measure.

We are supporting Michael’s partner, Irina, as funeral arrangements are made and as we plan a celebration of Michael’s life later this spring. We will share more details as they become available.

We have joined family and friends to establish a fundraising page to support Irina and Zoya as they navigate this profound loss and the long road of healing.

🖤 With love from all of us at Crossroads Fund,

Read the complete message and how to support at: crossroadsfund.org/michael-caga-anan-aguhar/ or link in bio

🐴 Happy Lunar New Year!

Last week, Asian Giving Circle (AGC) members had the joy of welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse alongside a gathering of philanthropic and nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and community members at our 4th annual Lunar New Year social — in collaboration with our friends at Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy - AAPIP Chicago /PAAAC and Association of Fundraising Professionals Chicago Chapter AFP Chicago API Affinity Group. Thank you to the planning and logistics team that brought everything together, and a special thank you to the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and their team for being such wonderful hosts. 🙏

The Year of the Horse brings strength, courage, and balance. At the social, we also reflected on themes from our 2025 Inaugural Nonprofit & Philanthropic Leadership Series, where leaders across our community reminded us how we can all lead right now:

🤝 Seek human connection and collaboration
🌱 Make hope a discipline through small, everyday acts
🚀 Think with a growth mindset about the things you haven't done yet

So as you step into this Lunar New Year — what is the thing you haven't done YET?

Here are a few ways to answer that call:

✅Get connected with AAPIP Chicago /PAAAC
✅If you're a fundraising professional (or aspiring to be one), connect with AFP Chicago API Affinity Group
✅Join AGC at the AGC Annual Meeting on April 16 at The Chicago Community Trust — learn about our strategic plan, growth priorities, and how to get more deeply involved

Register here: bit.ly/IL09Forum


On Saturday, February 7th, the Pan Asian Voter Empowerment Coalition (PAVE) is hosting a forum for candidates running for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District in advance of the March 17 primary election. Live, simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial demographic in Illinois, and 70,000 Asian Americans reside in IL-09 alone. Candidates will respond to key issues facing Asian American communities, such as immigration, language access, healthcare, senior services, and affordability.

IL-09 includes, but is not limited to, Chicago's Rogers Park, Uptown, Buena Park, Edgewater, and West Ridge neighborhoods; Skokie; Niles; Morton Grove; Wilmette; Glenview; Northfield; Buffalo Grove; Hawthorn Woods; Cary; and Algonquin.

The PAVE Coalition consists of 19 Asian American direct service and advocacy organizations in the Chicagoland area. Founded in 2011, the PAVE Coalition focuses on increasing voter turnout and civic participation among Asian Americans and improving the lives of Asian Americans through advocacy and policy change.

Disclaimer: This is an educational non-partisan candidate forum. The PAVE Coalition is made up of 501(c)3 organizations. Candidates must have raised at least $500,000 to participate.

Register here: bit.ly/IL09Forum

AGC In Community Spotlight

In early December, AGC hosted a grant partner and funder's convening for our Year 2 Asian American Community Development Fund (AACDF grant). It was a great convening with lots of community building and learnings. We enjoyed getting to see our friends from grant partners Chinese Mutual Aid Association - Chicago Office , SpaceShift Collective, HEART Women & Girls Chinese American Service League , KAN-WIN , Vietnamese Association of Illinois , FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL OF GREATER CHICAGO / Rizal Center . We were also thrilled that funders from Grand Victoria Foundation , MacArthur Foundation , and The Chicago Community Trust spoke about the funding landscape, and what funders are doing to support grantees, and to move forward.

In November, AGC leaders had the opportunity to connect in person with our fellow leaders from the other affinity funds at The Chicago Community Trust in the spirit of building thought collaboration and connection across our giving funds/circles. We got to connect with Young Leaders Fund, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust , African American Legacy, an Initiative of The Chicago Community Trust , Nuestro Futuro, Disabilities Fund , LGBTQ Community Fund learn more about these funds at https://www.cct.org/affinity-funds/

Asian Giving Circle, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, is a grassroots philanthropic initiative uniting donor to make a greater collective impact on the work of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-serving nonprofit landscape. Since its founding in 2002, Asian Giving Circle has distributed over $1 million to organizations supporting the AAPI community.⁣
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This year, 2025 , Asian Giving Circle made 10 grants totaling $100,000 to the following organizations:⁣
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-CIRCA Pintig
-Haibayô Cares
-KAtCH: Korean Adoptees of Chicago
-Muslim Civic Coalition
-⁣National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial
-Nepalese Aid
-People Matter
-South Asian American Policy and Research Institute - SAAPRI
-𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 (𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃)⁣ .democracy
-𝐔𝐦𝐮𝐰𝐢 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬⁣

We are deeply grateful for the work of all the incredible applicants who are making a difference in AAPI communities in the Chicago region, as well as to all AGC members whose annual contributions make these grants possible.

https://www.cct.org/stories/asian-giving-circle-awards-100000-in-its-2025-grantmaking-cycle/

Remembering Juju Lien

We are heartbroken by the recent passing of Juju Lien. Juju was a trailblazer. She was outspoken, passionate, caring and generous. She lived a life of service and activism.

Juju was the Asian Giving Circle’s biggest cheerleader and supported AGC from the start. Juju was very knowledgeable of the Asian American community in the Chicago area. She brought many potential grant applicants and donors to events and encouraged them to learn more about AGC. She was also a great convener who generously opened her home for numerous meetings and cooked delicious meals.

Juju’s legacy will live on through the lives of all she touched. Rest in peace.

Asian Giving Circle is honored to be selected as the recipient of her memorial donations.

Information on Juju’s memorial service on December 7, 2025 is listed in this link:
Https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/1259214md

Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy - AAPIP – Chicago Chapter, the AFP Chicago – Asian Pacific Islander Affinity Group, and Asian Giving Circle (AGC) wrapped up our inaugural Nonprofit and Philanthropic AAPI Leadership Series this September. This series was created to uplift leaders in our community and spotlight the critical work they’re leading.

For our third and final installment, we were thrilled to host a packed house at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation for a conversation between 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚, 𝐌𝐃, President & CEO of The Joyce Foundation , and 𝐑𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧, columnist and lead opinion writer at the Chicago Sun-Times. Both native Chicagoans, Julie and Rummana shared a dynamic exchange on leadership, equity, and navigating the current political climate.⁣
⁣
𝐑𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚, a columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times, where she also leads the paper’s opinion coverage, has held multiple roles during her more than two decades at the Sun-Times, including assistant metro editor, criminal courts reporter as well as being on the editorial board.⁣
⁣
𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞, a pediatrician by training, spent over two decades in public health leadership at the Chicago Department of Public Health, eventually serving as commissioner. Her career has been guided by a deep commitment to racial equity, shaped by her parents’ experience during the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans. She joined The Joyce Foundation to advance racial equity and economic mobility — knowing these are key drivers of better health outcomes.⁣
Here are a few highlights from the conversation:

☑️ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞⁣
Leadership is coordination, collaboration, teamwork, and solidarity. It’s a big responsibility — because as a collective, we’re stronger together.⁣
☑️ 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭⁣
In today’s political climate, philanthropy must be nimble. We’ve had to rethink how dollars get out the door while staying true to our mission⁣
☑️ 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦⁣
Requests far outpace available resources. You have to be strategic — and find partners who share your core values and principles⁣
☑️ 𝐁𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲-𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥-𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝⁣
There are many paths to one goal. Experience what you experience, and apply it to what comes next. You don’t know what’s next — so enjoy what you’re doing⁣
☑️ 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞⁣
For future philanthropists: being mission-driven helps, but patience and long-term thinking are essential.⁣
⁣
🙏 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞?⁣
“Human connection gives me hope. Collaboration gives me hope. There are so many ways to connect in this city. Be open. Seek opportunities. Give space — even when you don’t see eye to eye.

🙏 Thank you to all the leaders who shared their insights throughout our AAPI Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership Series. Your stories, strategies, and spirit continue to inspire.
👏 And deep appreciation to the organizing teams at AAPIP Chicago, AFP Chicago – API Affinity Group, and Asian Giving Circle for bringing this series to life.
✨ Stay tuned for future events, collaborations, and conversations that uplift AAPI leadership and community power.

Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy - AAPIP -Chicago Chapter, AFP Chicago - Asian Pacific Islander Affinity Group, and Asian Giving Circle continued their AAPI Leadership Series in July. This series was created to uplift the new leaders in our community and the critical work that they are leading.

We were thrilled to feature 𝐍𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐑𝐡𝐞𝐞, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Borderless Magazine , in conversation with 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐞 𝐊𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐜, Executive Director of HANA Center . Nissa and Danae had an engaging back and forth conversation on leadership transition, organizational resilience, community engagement, and navigating challenges in the current political climate. Here are some of the insights we learned from Nissa's conversation with Danae::

☑️𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭- No one is born to be an executive director. As a leader you will experience so many things you haven’t had to do before. A fixed mindset says "I can't do this because I haven't done it before." A growth mindset says "I haven't done this YET."⁣

☑️𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - Despite federal threats to immigrant communities, HANA Center will continue bold advocacy and coalition building, while balancing risk and prioritizing staff and community safety. As a leader, you're always doing risk analysis, but make sure that analysis isn't being done alone. Include your staff, board, and coalition partners.⁣

☑️𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 - As a Korean adoptee, I've known what it feels like to not belong, which has allowed me to engage with multiple generations and experiences to build together what it means to be Korean American. This helps ensure that our programs —like ESL and Korean language classes—reflect diverse experiences⁣

☑️𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - With shifting demographics and upcoming elections, HANA Center is expanding outreach in suburban areas and building pathways for multilingual voter education and civic participation.⁣

🙏𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞? Everyday people give me hope. People are finding ways to donate small amounts, volunteer, and spread resources. Hope lives in these small acts.⁣
⁣⁣
Thank you for supporting the HANA Center’s mission to build strong, inclusive communities, and for Borderless for reimagining immigration journalism for a more just and equitable future

To Support the HANA Center, Volunteer , Give, Follow HANA Center at https://hanacenter.org/
To Support Borderless Magazine subscribe and fund immigration news by, for and about immigrant communities at https://borderlessmag.org/

Register for our next conversation on Sept 25 with Julie Morita and Rummana Hussain at this link https://www.eventcreate.com/e/2025-aapi-leadership-series

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🎉The Association of Fundraising Professionals Chicago Chapter's (AFP Chicago) API Affinity Group, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy - AAPIP -Chicago Chapter, and Asian Giving Circle (AGC) are thrilled to announce the 3rd part of our AAPI Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership Series. The leadership series was created to highlight the important community work that is being done in Chicago, and the new leaders that are leading this work

Please join us on 🗓️Thursday, September 25th at 4:00-6:00pm at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation (205 N Michigan Ave Suite 4300, Chicago, IL 60601) for a conversation with Julie Morita, President and CEO The Joyce Foundation and Rummana Hussain, columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times.

🖋️🎟️Register at the event page by September 19th . There will be light refreshments served and an opportunity for networking and building connections.
https://www.eventcreate.com/e/2025-aapi-leadership-series

▶️ Julie Morita, MD is President & CEO of The Joyce Foundation, where she oversees the charitable distribution of $65 million annually to advance racial equity and economic mobility across the Great Lakes region. Before joining Joyce in 2024, Julie served as EVP of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where she oversaw all programs and grantmaking. Born and raised in Chicago, Julie spent nearly two decades at the Chicago Department of Public Health, serving as medical director and chief medical officer before being appointed Commissioner in 2015—overseeing the health needs of 2.7 million residents.

▶️Rummana Hussain is a columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times, where she also leads the paper’s opinion coverage. A Chicago native, she has held multiple roles at the Sun-Times, including assistant metro editor, criminal courts reporter, and assistant to columnist Michael Sneed. Her journalism career spans the Chicago Tribune and City News Bureau of Chicago.