May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander communities in the United States. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 which had been primarily constructed by Chinese immigrants. In addition to Bright Funds' list of highly-rated Asian American nonprofits focused on civil rights, housing rights, legal representation, education, and cultural preservation and expression, we also added Boston-based nonprofits and organizations suggested by fellow BCAMers to the list.

Violence against specific groups or races is not a new phenomenon in America; in early 2020, as COVID-19 cases began to appear in the U.S., violence against Asians and Asian-Americans began to increase. Since then, amplified nationalism, bigotry, and the spread of misinformation has contributed to a surge in cases of verbal harassment, physical assault leading to serious injury or even death, as well as civil-rights violations. On January 21, 2023, a deadly mass shooting occurred at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California. To date, ten victims have died and at least ten others are injured. The shooting occurred during the city's first night of Lunar New Year festivities, one of the most important annual celebrations within Eastern and Southeastern Asian communities. Bright Funds stands in solidarity with the Asian community and strongly condemns racism, hate, and xenophobia of any kind. The Asian Anti-Discrimination Fund is comprised of pre-vetted nonprofits committed to supporting those who are taking a stand against racism through policy, advocacy, legal work, community-building, and education.

Violence against specific groups or races is not a new phenomenon in America; in early 2020, as COVID-19 cases began to appear in the U.S., violence against Asians and Asian-Americans began to increase. Since then, amplified nationalism, bigotry, and the spread of misinformation has contributed to a surge in cases of verbal harassment, physical assault leading to serious injury or even death, as well as civil-rights violations. Casper stands in solidarity with the Asian community and strongly condemns racism, hate, and xenophobia of any kind. Casper's Asian Anti-Discrimination Fund is comprised of pre-vetted nonprofits committed to supporting those who are taking a stand against racism through policy, advocacy, legal work, community-building, and education.

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 which had been primarily constructed by Chinese immigrants. While discrimination has been present since then, the violence and hate toward the AAPI community has only escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bright Funds has established the 2021 AAPI Heritage Month Fund, composed of highly-rated Asian American nonprofits focused on civil rights, housing rights, legal representation, education, and cultural preservation and expression, all to amplify the community’s voice. Through a single tax-deductible donation to the Fund you will support a group of nonprofits that are working to eliminate discrimination and lift the voices of the AAPI community.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander communities in the United States. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 which had been primarily constructed by Chinese immigrants. Bright Funds has established the AAPI Heritage Month Fund, composed of highly-rated Asian American nonprofits focused on civil rights, housing rights, legal representation, education, and cultural preservation and expression, all to amplify the community’s voice. Through a single donation to the Fund you will support a group of nonprofits that are working to eliminate discrimination and lift the voices of the AAPI community. The composition of nonprofits in this fund is subject to change.

Lunar New Year is a multi-week event that is considered one of the most important annual celebrations among East and Southeast Asian cultures and communities, though it is celebrated across the globe. Lunar New Year is typically celebrated with wishes for prosperity and good luck in the new year, while spending time with loved ones and paying homage to past generations through a plethora of traditional foods, activities and events. Lunar New Year is the all-encompassing term to represent the vast number of communities that observe the lunar calendar, and traditions vary across cultures. The Lunar New Year Fund was created to spotlight AAPI-led organizations across the country who provide support and resources to Asian-American communities, celebrate and uplift Asian culture, and fight for Asian representation, justice, and equality.