Our mission is to increase the capacity and impact of Asian Pacific Islander philanthropic giving in the Sacramento region

APIs RISE Fund, comprised of API philanthropists and community leaders, aims to build and strengthen the next generation of API leadership for the Sacramento Region. By empowering APIs toward sustainable civic leadership, we are laying the foundation for a stronger tomorrow.

In the Sacramento region, the API population has been steadily growing. According to recent census data, over twenty percent of the Sacramento population identify as Asian and/or Pacific Islander. Yet, philanthropic giving and charitable donations have not evolved to reflect the growing population and its needs. The APIs RISE Fund responds to the disparities in funding to the API communities.

We will advance our mission by cultivating and securing resources and by engaging with locals to learn about the issues affecting our community. 


Our all volunteer team meets monthly to strategize and, when not sheltering at home, eat good food and talk story.

Mona Tawatao, Co-Chair, APIs RISE Fund; Legal Director, Equal Justice Society

Christine Tien*Co-Chair, APIs RISE Fund; Senior Program Manager, The California Endowment

Elaine Abelaye-Mateo*, Principal Consultant, Everyday Impact Consulting

Jennifer Ablog*, Community and Government Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente

Priscilla Enriquez*, Chief Executive Officer, James B. McClatchy Foundation

Tim Fong, Sacramento State University

Kaying Hang*, Vice President of Programs and Partnerships, Sierra Health Foundation

Jason Jong*, Arts Program Specialist, California Arts Council

May O. Lee*, Founder, Asian Resources Inc.

Tam Ma*, Board Member, The Women's Foundation of California

Christine Nguyen

Vince Sales*, Fund Development Consultant, Everyday Impact Consulting

Yumi Sera

Jonathan Tran, The California Endowment

* Co-founders

Organizations are listed for affiliation purposes