Letter from our Co-founders
2025 was one of the most challenging and turbulent years our country has faced—and one of the most testing moments for our movement. As Stop AAPI Hate marked five years of existence, the threats outlined in Project 2025 were no longer theoretical—they had become reality for our communities. Attacks came from every direction, deliberately designed to dismantle our collective work and erase the communities we are fighting to protect.
At the same time, we witnessed a sharp rise in anti–South Asian hate as South Asian communities became more visible—and more targeted. From violent attacks on international students to the systematic closing of pathways like H-1B visas, the promise of building a life in America was stripped away for so many. These were not isolated policies, but coordinated efforts to exclude, intimidate, and silence.
We saw a regime that aggressively targeted immigrants for arrest, incarceration, and deportation. The level of cruelty and dehumanization shocked us. Years of hard-fought progress were reversed almost overnight. We also felt the chilling pullback from diversity, equity, and inclusion, as corporations that had publicly committed to racial justice in 2021 retreated under political pressure, scaling back investments in our communities when solidarity mattered most.
Yet even in the darkest moments, Stop AAPI Hate remains steadfast. We are rooted in movement building—lifting up the stories of everyday people, sounding the alarm on the surge of racial slurs and online hate, and confronting disinformation wherever it spreads. Stop AAPI Hate continues defending our rights, protecting our communities, and insisting that dignity and humanity are non-negotiable.
Despite the immense challenges of 2025, we also achieved meaningful victories through collective action and shared commitment. These wins are made possible by our partners, supporters, and community leaders allowing us to strengthen our movement and renew our belief in what solidarity can achieve.
In 2026 amid escalating attacks and state violence, our commitment remains unshaken. We know that lasting change is built through sustained courage and collective care.
Together, we will continue to fight and we will endure.
In solidarity and hope,
Cynthia Choi
Manjusha Kulkarni
Our Victories in 2025
Here are just some of the ways we met the moment in 2025 with your support:
FY 2025 Financial Snapshot
Stop AAPI Hate maintains a strong commitment to programmatic impact, allocating 78% of its expenses to community programs.
What’s Ahead in 2026
As we move forward, Stop AAPI Hate is building AAPI political power to confront authoritarianism and advance a multiracial democracy. We will activate our base, strengthen cross-racial movements, track and expose anti-AAPI hate, educate the public on harmful policies, and continue caring for our communities—so everyone can live safely and with dignity.
Thank you to the following institutions to support our work in 2025 at the $10,000 and up level:
Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, Eventide Fenway, Hot Topic Foundation, Humble Bundle, McDonald’s, National Education Association, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, S&P Global Foundation, and The Pokemon International Company
We are able to continue our fight for justice because of our incredible community of supporters.
Your donation to Stop AAPI Hate helps us protect immigrant and civil rights, strengthen our research and data, and support local communities and push for better laws.
Expanded Public Awareness of South Asian and Pacific Islander Hate
Stop AAPI Hate deepened national understanding of how hate and bias uniquely impact South Asian and Pacific Islander communities. We released groundbreaking, first-of-their-kind reports that surfaced emerging trends in communities. Our timely release of data and research reinforces our role as the go-to source for understanding hate patterns across diverse AAPI communities. Nearly 400 community members, advocates, and leaders participated in briefings to better understand these findings and apply them in their work. Learn More.
Civic Engagement and Digital Mobilization
Stop AAPI Hate translated awareness into action, driving more than 30,000 civic actions through targeted calls to action focused on immigration. These efforts demonstrate our growing capacity to mobilize AAPI communities toward political participation and collective power-building. As we approach the midterm elections, this infrastructure positions Stop AAPI Hate to rapidly scale engagement and influence. Take Action Here!
Public Education and Narrative Change
Our communications strategy significantly expanded reach and engagement, with notable increases in likes, shares, comments, and overall visibility. We consistently produced timely, accessible content connecting anti-immigrant and anti-democracy rhetoric to real-world harm experienced by AAPI communities. Through this work, we positioned Stop AAPI Hate as a trusted source for education and mobilization, reaching more than 14 million views, downloads, and engagements across our digital media platforms. Discover More.
Launched #MyImmigrantRoots
Stop AAPI Hate launched #MyImmigrantRoots, a national storytelling initiative uplifting the lived experiences of AAPI immigrants amid relentless attacks on immigrant communities. The campaign celebrates the richness of AAPI histories while ensuring immigrant voices are seen, heard, and remembered. We collected nearly 100 powerful stories and hosted public exhibits in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., reaching more than 1,000 audience members nationwide. Learn More.
Co-Led the Successful Effort to Discredit the China Initiative
Stop AAPI Hate co-led a coalition of over 80 organizations to successfully block congressional efforts that would have effectively revived the discredited “China Initiative,” a program that fueled racial profiling of Chinese scholars and researchers. At a moment of heightened surveillance and scrutiny of Asian international students and academics, our advocacy helped prevent further institutionalized harm and protected academic freedom and civil liberties. Learn More.
Promoted Community Healing and Survivor Support
In partnership with our co-founding organization, AAPI Equity Alliance, Stop AAPI Hate provided direct support to individuals and communities harmed by hate acts. Together, we facilitated a six-week healing program using the HOPE curriculum for California residents impacted by hate, and conducted in-depth interviews with more than 100 individuals who reported incidents through our reporting center—centering survivor experiences and advancing community-based healing. The HOPE program is designed to motivate participants to become civically engaged in their communities to help combat hate. Learn More.
Defended Federal Funding for Hundreds of Community Organizations
After the Department of Justice abruptly terminated a $2 million grant awarded to Stop AAPI Hate — along with millions more in critical funding for hundreds of other community organizations nationwide. Stop AAPI Hate joined the Vera Institute of Justice and other plaintiffs to file a class-action lawsuit against the DOJ. The case challenged the unlawful termination of more than $810 million in public safety grants intended to counter hate, support victims, and build community safety. Together, we represented over 200 organizations nationwide committed to justice, dignity, and safety for all. Read More.
Worked in Coalition to Secure New York’s AANHPI Education Equity Act
Stop AAPI Hate played a key role in securing the passage of New York’s AANHPI Education Equity Act, a landmark policy advancing the inclusion of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander histories in classrooms across the state. Working in coalition with partner organizations through the REACH Coalition, Stop AAPI Hate contributed years of advocacy, research, and coordination that helped move this legislation forward.
This victory brings New York one step closer to ensuring students learn accurate, inclusive histories—an evidence-based approach shown to reduce racism and xenophobia. The win is especially significant at a moment when federal attacks on the Department of Education and DEI initiatives threaten progress on educational equity. Read More.
