The Asian Community Fund (ACF) at the Boston Foundation (TBF) held its Inaugural Gala, bringing together over 550 leaders, allies, and partners from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The event, which took place in Massachusetts, was a celebration of AAPI leadership and representation, raising more than $725,000. The funds will support ACF’s ongoing mission to strengthen the AAPI community, making it the only philanthropic fund in Massachusetts dedicated to this cause.
The evening featured various cultural performances, a keynote speech by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and recognition of two influential leaders: Geeta Aiyer, President and Founder of Boston Common Asset Management, and Bob Rivers, Executive Chair and Chair of the Board of Directors at Eastern Bank. Both honorees were celebrated for their significant contributions to the AAPI community and the broader immigrant population.
Mayor Wu praised the role of ACF in providing a platform for the AAPI community, emphasizing the importance of a network that offers support when needed. “The Asian Community Fund was created to be a permanent resource for our community, a permanent platform for our voices, a permanent launchpad for generations of leaders,” said Wu. “ACF fuels a robust network of support designed to make sure one million little things go right so that when one person in the community needs help, the rest of us can be there to support.”
The event was co-chaired by Renee Inomata, Partner at Casner & Edwards, and Raj Sharma, Founder and Managing Director of The Sharma Group at Merrill Private Wealth. It was emceed by Liz Cheng, General Manager at GBH and WORLD, highlighting ACF’s achievements in uplifting AAPI voices and acknowledging those who have supported its mission.
Sharma spoke about the broader goals of ACF, which include expanding social services, promoting AAPI entrepreneurship, and fostering partnerships between various communities. “ACF’s goal is to expand social services and arts and culture, incubate new partnerships among various communities, and promote AAPI entrepreneurship,” said Sharma. “I’m proud to be part of this movement to ensure that every resident in this country has a shot at opportunity and success.”
The gala, held at The Westin Copley Place, underscored ACF’s leadership in supporting community-led initiatives, such as the Asian Business Empowerment Council and the AAPI Arts and Culture Collaborative. Since 2022, ACF has distributed over $1 million in grants to 86 nonprofit organizations serving the AAPI community. In the current grant cycle alone, $450,000 was awarded to 52 organizations.
Reflecting on the collective power of the AAPI community in Massachusetts, Inomata noted the impressive achievements of ACF and its partners. “The idea of uniting 500,000 AAPI residents in Massachusetts from diverse backgrounds and origins felt ambitious, but then I met the amazing team at ACF, tonight’s honorees and the many partners and allies in this cause. Individually, they are incredible; and together, we are unstoppable!” said Inomata.
Aiyer, who was honored as the AAPI Honoree for her work as a business leader and social activist, has made significant contributions to environmental and social justice causes. Rivers, recognized for his partnership and advocacy for AAPI communities, has been a strong supporter of AAPI entrepreneurs and communities of color.
Danielle Kim, Executive Director of ACF, emphasized the evening’s broader significance for the AAPI community and all immigrants in Massachusetts. She highlighted the importance of collective power in advancing equity and inclusion for underrepresented groups. “This evening and this movement is about elevating the voices and the collective power of the AAPI community and all immigrants who reside here in the Commonwealth,” said Kim. “Many in this room are great at climbing the ladder, but it is not sufficient and alone to climb the ladder. We have a responsibility to shoot that ladder down and bring up everyone around us.”
Guests at the event were treated to a variety of cultural performances, including a violin performance by ViolinViiv, a K-pop dance performance by StyleMe, Indian folk dancing by Boston Bhangra, and traditional Cambodian dancing by the Angkor Dance Troupe. Renowned chefs Tracy Chang of Pagu and Laurence Louie of Rubato prepared appetizers and desserts, adding a culinary flair to the celebration.
The gala was supported by more than 72 companies and individuals, with key sponsors including ABRY Partners, The Boston Foundation, Eastern Bank, Encore Boston Harbor, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, RSM, and WTW. The strong support from these sponsors reflects the growing unity and momentum around advancing AAPI leadership and representation in Massachusetts.
Among the notable attendees at the gala was Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. State Representative Tram Nguyen and the Massachusetts Asian House Caucus also made appearances, presenting a citation of support to emphasize the state’s commitment to empowering AAPI communities.
ACF, founded in 2020, remains the only philanthropic organization in Massachusetts solely focused on supporting the AAPI community. Since its inception, the organization has worked to unite the diverse AAPI population, which includes individuals from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Through its efforts, ACF has mobilized more than $6 million to strengthen AAPI nonprofit organizations and businesses across the state. To date, ACF has provided grants and support to over 80 Asian-serving organizations, furthering its goal of building a stronger advocacy voice for the AAPI community.
As ACF continues to grow, it aims to expand its efforts to support AAPI individuals and communities in Massachusetts, with a focus on leadership development, entrepreneurship, and cultural advocacy. The success of the Inaugural Gala not only highlights the progress made thus far but also reinforces the importance of continued support for AAPI empowerment and representation.
The Asian Community Fund’s gala was a testament to the power of community, unity, and the dedication of individuals who strive to elevate the voices of underrepresented groups. With the funds raised, ACF will be able to continue its mission of strengthening the AAPI community in Massachusetts and beyond, ensuring that future generations have the resources and support they need to thrive.
The evening closed with a shared sense of hope and determination, as attendees reflected on the importance of standing together in the face of challenges and working collectively to build a more inclusive and equitable society for all.