Voting begins: 2022 Gold Futures Challenge to give $500,000 to top groups empowering AAPI communities
By Ryan General
Philanthropic nonprofits Asian American Futures (AAF) and Gold House are awarding a total of $500,000 to top organizations promoting and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities for the second year.
Through the 2022 Gold Futures Challenge initiative, competition organizers are distributing prizes ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to the top 10 AAPI groups that help people in the communities get “seen, heard, empowered, and united.”
“Beyond supporting these incredible nonprofits, we seek to further spark civic engagement,” Asian American Futures Executive Director Reshma Shamasunder told NextShark. “By participating in this challenge and voting — our community and our allies are making their voices heard on issues they care about.”
After reviewing over 130 applications, the Gold Futures Challenge selection committee announced this year’s 10 finalists on Aug. 17.
The finalists are as follows: Hawaii-based youth shelter services operator RYSE, Indo-Caribbean women support group Jahajee Sisters, Pan-AAPI publication The Yappie, South Asian LGBTQ-plus support group Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies, Southeast Asian community development org The SEAD Project, civic engagement group Asian Texans for Justice, business support initiative Hawaiʻi FoundHer, education advocacy group Asian American Voices for Education, community development group Cut Fruit Collective and refugee community support group Transplanting Traditions Community Farm.
“More than 50,000 thousand people have donated to the AAPI Community Fund to support nonprofits that uplift the AAPI community,” Gold House Executive Director Jeremy Tran said. “The Gold Futures Challenge will now empower them to be a part of the funding process by voting for organizations and causes that resonate with them most.”
To determine the winners’ final prize amounts, which includes the $100,000 grand prize, a public vote is being hosted at goldfutureschallenge.org from Aug. 23 to Sept. 27.
“As a member of the inaugural class last year, we saw firsthand how the Gold Futures Challenge gives AAPI community organizations like ours an opportunity to voice where they see the most need, champion innovation, and shape services that have a deep impact,” said CAUSE Executive Director Nancy Yap.
Political leadership organization Asian American Women’s Political Initiative (AAWPI) won the $100,000 grand prize in the inaugural Gold Futures Challenge last year.
Featured Image via Gold Futures Challenge
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