Giving, the Asian Way
March 23, 2008
In Asian cultures, money is not something spoken about or dealt with in the open. It’s discussed at the family dinner table or whispered about over drinks.
Perhaps, then, it’s no surprise that Asian American philanthropy is somewhat hidden in the community. Unlike the Andrew Carnegies, Warren Buffetts, and the Bill and Melinda Gates — deep-pocketed moguls who are figureheads for philanthropy — Asian American philanthropists are virtually invisible.
But that’s not to say they don’t exist. They do — in family associations in Chinatown alleys, in community center rec rooms, and in kitchens and living rooms in Asian American households across the country.
As Emily Leach reports in this issue, Asian American philanthropic groups based on traditional Asian forms of giving are now hoping to bridge the gap between Western-style philanthropy (large endowments or donations to institutions like universities, museums and libraries) and Asian concepts of philanthropy (small-scale giving between families or relatives, often newly arrived immigrants).
Groups like the Asian Women Giving Circle, modeled after the Korean geh, or shared savings circles where contributors regularly pool their money and then rotate its distribution amongst members, are giving support to those in our community who need it most. According to a June 2007 study by the group, the Asian American Pacific Islander population has grown to comprise 4.5 percent of the U.S. population, yet 2004 foundation funding to APIs represented just 0.4 percent of all U.S. foundation dollars. That’s less than half of one percent.
We applaud groups like the Asian Women Giving Circle for encouraging giving from the Asian American community to the Asian American community. Many Asian American groups facilitate giving between community members, yet fall far outside the traditional definition of philanthropy and below the radar of the mainstream. We salute these groups who are helping our community’s economic engine run — our way.
In the words of Peggy Saika, president and executive director of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy: “It’s an empowerment track for us. It’s us raising our own money and deciding where that money should go. We must change the culture and the practice of giving in our communities.”
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[…] AsianWeek ran an article yesterday discussing the differences between oriental and occidental philanthropic practices. The Asian model, they say, is more based on quiet philanthropy and assistance to families and communities. I commented on a similar article back in January. It doesn’t presume to establish large foundations. […]
If the editors of Asian Week think of American of Indian origin as Asian Americans then I would suggest they look at the journey of American India Foundation and weave their experience into the conclusions reached — which may then be different than what comes across in this editorial.
This is good news. But I will be more impressed when your report that the Asian American community is giving to non-Asian individuals and institutions as well. That will reflect their confidence in their place in society as caring citizens of the whole community. As Asians have been in the US since the building of the railroads, surely this is already happening.