Fall 2025 Donor Digest
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- Letter from Managing Director
- Threats to Non-Profit Funding
- What to Know About 2026 Tax Laws
- Photos from 2025
READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER
Letter from Managing Director, Lee Wang
Dear Friends,
I would like to share a brief but important update on our current progress and the ways your support has helped make it possible.
As you may have heard, we recently experienced a setback in our lawsuit against the Trump Administration after the Department of Justice abruptly terminated our $2 million, multi-year grant, which provided vital public safety funding. A federal judge dismissed our case on procedural grounds, despite acknowledging how “shameful” and “arbitrary” the DOJ’s actions have been. This decision is frustrating, but it’s far from the end. We’ve filed an emergency appeal because we know this fight matters — not just for Stop AAPI Hate, but for the over 200 organizations whose funding was unjustly stripped away. This case is about far more than resources; it’s about standing up to a government that’s attempting to sideline our communities.
And while we fight this battle in court, we continue to advance our mission in powerful ways. In just the last quarter, thanks to your belief in our work, we’ve made meaningful strides in our five core strategies: Research & Data, Policy & Advocacy, Community Care, and Communications.
Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve accomplished together:
✅ Focused on policies like protecting birthright citizenship in California and adding AAPI ethnic studies to New York schools.
✅ Helped policymakers address anti-immigrant hate and transit safety.
✅ Released three reports on rising anti-AAPI hate.
✅ Hosted five virtual town halls from February to June 2025 to discuss AAPI community issues.
✅ Collaborated with leaders in philanthropy, business, and grassroots groups to support AAPI voices through the #MyImmigrantRoots campaign.
✅ Completed the HOPE program’s second phase to aid healing from racism.
These wins remind us that even in a challenging climate, our collective efforts are making a difference. Together, we are helping communities heal, holding institutions accountable, and pushing forward solutions rooted in justice and dignity. Thank you for standing with us in this work. Your support gives us the strength to keep going.
In solidarity,
Lee Wang
Managing Director, Stop AAPI Hate
Threats to Non-Profit Funding: Why Your Support Matters More Than Ever
At Stop AAPI Hate, we are very thankful for your support. In 2025, we need your help more than ever.
Groups like ours work hard to protect community rights and safety, but face many challenges. A report reveals that many nonprofits are feeling the effects of the 2024 election: 77% say the election results hinder their work, 73% expect federal funding issues, and nearly 90% of leaders, especially those serving marginalized communities, feel burned out.
These challenges have made obtaining funding more difficult. From 2026, new tax laws will simplify charitable giving for the general public. Yet, certain large donors will encounter new deduction limits, and numerous companies are cutting back on donations to nonprofits emphasizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
This situation creates a significant gap and more competition for funding, challenging our ability to serve the community and create change. Many nonprofits are applying for fewer grants as funders narrow their focus. The 2025 AANHPI Funding Snapshot from Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) shows that for every $100 foundations give, only 34 cents goes to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities — far below what’s needed to support the over 30 million people in these communities.
What This Means for You
We know we can’t rely only on grants to keep going. Our future depends on people like YOU—who understand that fighting against anti-AAPI hate is a long-term effort. Your support helps us when grants are not enough. Because of you, we can continue to advocate for new policies, share the truth about hate incidents, and help our communities heal and feel safe.
Looking Ahead to 2026: How New Tax Laws Can Supercharge Your Giving
Starting in 2026, your donation could go further than ever—even if you don’t itemize your taxes. A new law will let you deduct up to $1,000 (individuals) or $2,000 (couples) for charitable gifts. That means you can give generously and reduce your tax bill.
This change will give 9 out of 10 Americans a clear reason to give, making grassroots donors more powerful than ever. For Stop AAPI Hate, that’s game-changing—because most of our gifts are already from everyday supporters like you. Together, those small gifts:
➡️ Respond immediately to spikes in anti-Asian hate and harassment
➡️ Support victims and survivors in their most urgent moments
➡️ Fund multilingual reporting tools so no incident goes uncounted
➡️ Train local leaders and advocates to stand up for their communities
➡️ Sustain long-term campaigns for safety, dignity, and justice
While some experts predict major donors and corporate funding may decline under other 2026 rules, your gift today ensures we’re ready for whatever comes next. Grassroots support is what keeps our response fast, our services free, and our advocacy strong.
What you can do now:
- Consult with your tax advisor to maximize your giving in 2026.
- Mark your calendar for January 2026 to take full advantage of the deduction.
- Consider making a gift today to support our ongoing work until these changes take effect.
Every dollar is a stand against hate—and starting in 2026, the government will reward you for taking that stand.
Photos from events across the country in 2025
Stop AAPI Hate at Edge on the Square, San Francisco 
Stop AAPI Hate at Serica Trailblazers Conference in New York 
Stop AAPI Hate/Chinese for Affirmative Action Managing Director of Policy, Annie Lee, with her family at No Kings Protest in San Francisco 
Stop AAPI Hate with Asian Prisoner Support Committee and Chinese for Affirmative Action at the Immigrant Day of Action in Sacramento, CA 
Stop AAPI Hate staff at the Birthright Citizenship Oral Arguments in Washington, D.C.
FUEL THE MOVEMENT
Whether you’re ready to make a multi-year pledge or contribute a one-time gift, your support at any level helps us: protect immigrant and civil rights, strengthen our research and data, and support local communities and push for better laws.
Here’s how you can help:
👉 Pledge a recurring annual gift — whatever amount feels meaningful to you
👉 Make a one-time donation before the year ends
Every act of generosity counts. Your gift — big or small — helps sustain this movement and protects the future of our communities.
