The Korean American Community Foundation has merged with its San Francisco chapter to create one national organization focused on Korean American causes.
The announcement came on May 12, 2026. The two groups together have already distributed more than $24 million in grants to Korean American nonprofits. The merger is expected to finalize during summer 2026 without disrupting ongoing work.
Programs, annual galas in New York City and San Francisco, staff positions, and board governance will continue as before. The unified entity will now direct resources toward new regions, starting with Los Angeles.
Kyung B. Yoon, President and CEO of KACF, described the decision as rooted in a shared mission. She noted that lasting impact requires both strong local roots and a connected national approach. The merger, she said, reflects the organizations' joint vision for the future of Korean American philanthropy.
Sung Jin Ingriselli, Board Chair of the San Francisco chapter, stressed the practical advantages. The combined structure will allow the foundation to raise more funds, support additional nonprofits, and build stronger networks across the country.
The Korean American Community Foundation began operations in New York City in 2002. Its San Francisco chapter was later established to serve the growing West Coast population. Over two decades the organizations developed parallel grant-making programs that addressed education, health services, cultural preservation, and immigrant support.
By operating separately, the groups sometimes duplicated administrative efforts and competed for the same donors. The merger removes those barriers. It creates a single point of contact for national funders while preserving deep local knowledge in each city.
Los Angeles represents the first expansion target after the merger closes. The region already hosts one of the largest Korean American populations in the United States. A national office will coordinate grant cycles, track outcomes, and share best practices among all three major hubs.
Grant recipients have included after-school language programs, senior health clinics, small business incubators, and arts organizations that document Korean American history. The $24 million already awarded demonstrates consistent delivery on mission goals. The new national structure is expected to increase total grant dollars within three years.
Board members from both entities will form the leadership of the combined organization. Transition committees are reviewing financial systems, compliance procedures, and donor stewardship practices to ensure seamless integration. No layoffs are planned.
The timing aligns with broader trends in American philanthropy. Ethnic community foundations increasingly seek scale to attract institutional donors and corporate partners. A national footprint allows the Korean American Community Foundation to participate in larger collaborative funds focused on Asian American and Pacific Islander causes.
Community leaders in both New York and San Francisco have expressed support for the change. They view the merger as evidence that Korean American institutions have reached a level of maturity that permits coordinated national strategy without sacrificing local responsiveness.
Annual galas will remain signature events. The New York dinner and the San Francisco benefit will continue under the same names and dates. Proceeds will now flow directly to the national grant-making pool, allowing each city to highlight projects from across the country.
Staff members will retain their current responsibilities during the transition period. Program officers in San Francisco will continue managing West Coast grants while also contributing to national strategy sessions. The New York team will maintain its role as the primary administrative hub.
Expansion planning includes hiring regional directors for Los Angeles and potentially other cities with sizable Korean American populations. The national organization will also develop new grant categories that address cross-regional issues such as mental health access for young adults and support for Korean American veterans.
The merger reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize efficiency and impact over institutional independence. Both organizations concluded that a unified structure better serves the Korean American community at a time when needs are growing and competition for philanthropic dollars is intense.
Official details were released through PR Newswire on May 12, 2026. Subsequent coverage in AsAmNews examined how the move strengthens organized philanthropy within Asian American communities nationwide.
With the merger complete, the Korean American Community Foundation will operate as a single national entity capable of coordinating resources, sharing expertise, and scaling successful programs across state lines. The focus remains unchanged: delivering measurable support to Korean American nonprofits wherever they serve the community.
