Resources For East Asian Women-Owned Businesses

Asian American women are dominating on every level. Per the 2018 American Express State of Women-Owned Businesses report, today, more than 1 million Asian-American women-owned firms are generating more than $202 million in revenue. East Asian women have headed up Fortune 500 companies and innovated new products. And  Asian-American owned businesses are also most likely to staff up, providing new opportunities and tremendous growth throughout the economy. First thin’s first: funding for east asian women

Funding for East Asian Women

Funding for East Asian women is a great way to mobilize your startup or growing business, not to mention vital to its success. There are a growing number of opportunities for women-owned businesses and below are a couple that specialize in funding Asian women. For more funding leads, please visit our “ALL WOMEN” section.

Accion

Provides small business loans and support for underrepresented small business owners, including minority women. http://accion.org/

Asian American Economic Development Enterprise (AAEDE)

The Asian American Economic Development Enterprise offers workshops, seminars, business assistance for new and existing ventures, access to funding for startups, and a number of other valuable resources for Asian Americans. https://www.aaede.info/

Asian Women Giving Circle

This is an amazing lead for funding for East Asian women. The Asian Women Giving Circle is an Asian women led organization that raises funds to support Asian American arts and culture related women-led projects in New York City. Grant applications are normally accepted in January of each year. http://www.asianwomengivingcircle.org/

Aspen Capital Fund

This fund offers not only funds, but also options on how to grow your business in all ways properly and financially stable. Specializes in minority-owned businesses.  http://aspencapitalfund.com/

Calvert Foundation

A community development foundation that connects investors to organizations and businesses in under-served communities. They offer a number of grants for programs/business in under-served communities. http://www.calvertfoundation.org/

Center for Asian American Media Funds

The center provides funding for independent producers for national public television projects. More than $5 million has been awarded to over 150 projects, through CAAM. Projects must be in production or post production and the project must be public television broadcast to be eligible. https://caamedia.org/for-mediamakers/get-funded/

Minority Business Development Agency

This site is one stop shopping for training, grants, and loans for all minorities, including East Asian women. http://www.mbda.gov/

Wells Fargo

Continuing with their commitment to minority businesses, Wells Fargo simplifies lending to East Asian women. http://bit.ly/1QaCZke

Resources For Training

The Asian American community offers a number of valuable programs that provide free or low-cost training & development programs for Asian women in business. Review the links below to get started on your entrepreneurial journey.  

Ascend Pan-Asian Leaders

A membership based organization that offers training and development programs for business professionals in the Asian American community. This organization offers great opportunities for networking with over 600,000 members throughout the United States and Canada.  http://www.ascendleadership.org/

Asian American Business Development Center

Based in New York City, this organization offers management training, technical assistance, and international trade opportunities. http://aabdc.com/

Asian American Youth Leadership Empowerment and Development (AAYLED)

This nonprofit organization provides training, mentoring, skill and leadership development programs for Asian American youth in the D.C. metro area. http://www.aalead.org/

Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) Fellowship Program

The CAAM Fellowship Program develops the talent and skills of Asian American media professionals and freelancers. https://caamedia.org/new-caam-fellowship/

U.S. Pan-Asian Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC)

The oldest organization devoted to training Asian Americans to close the gap between businesses and Asian countries, they offer a yearly coaching program to help small businesses.  http://uspaacc.com/programs

VietAid

This organization focuses on building a strong Vietnamese-American community through civic engagement, community building, affordable housing, entrepreneur assistance, childcare and more. http://www.vietaid.org/

Resources For Networking

When starting a business, you may feel like you’re in an uphill battle all on your own. Don’t worry, there are so many other women just like you and groups full of advice and help at your fingertips. Here are several groups to help you get started!

Asian American Architects/Engineers Association

This network empowers professional architects and engineers through business development, professional growth, networking and leadership in the Asian American community. http://aaaesc.org/

Asian American Artists Foundation (A3 Foundation)

A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the opportunities of Asian Americans in the media. Their A3 Fellows Program offers emerging artists opportunities to build their skills and portfolios, mentoring from seasoned artists,  and $10,000 – $20,000 in funding. http://www.a3-foundation.org/

Asian American Arts Alliance

This nonprofit supports individual artists and arts focused organizations by providing free resources, collaboration, peer-learning and professional development. http://aaartsalliance.org/

Asian American Business Women’s Association (AABWA)

The AABWA empowers  Asian American women in business through a series of training programs, resources, marketing services and other opportunities. http://www.asianamericanbuswomen.org/

Asian American Civic Association (AACA)

This organization supports Asian (and other) immigrants with limited English and/or low-incomes by providing education, occupational training, and social services to help them gain economic independence. http://aaca-boston.org/

Asian American Government Executives Network (AAGEN)

This AAGEN network supports and promotes Asian American and Pacific Island participation in government leadership positions. http://www.aagen.org/

Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)

The mission if the AAJC is to promote the civil and human rights for Asian Americans. http://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/

Asian American Multitechnology Organization

This organization promotes Asian American opportunities in Silicon Valley, hosting regular high-profile events nationally and abroad. http://www.aamasv.com/

Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Inc. (AAPINA)

This national organization unites Asian American nurses throughout the world by offering a network of  support, research, education and skills development. http://aapina.org/

Asian American Professional Association (AAPA)

The AAPA is a three-year leadership development and mentoring program open to U.S. professionals regardless of race in junior, mid or advanced career positions.  AAPA mentors are executives and educators dedicated to the professional success of the program’s mentees. http://aapamentoring.com/

Asian American Women’s Alliance

This support group for Asian-American women promotes professional and personal growth. http://www.aawalliance.com/

Asian American Women Artists Association (AAWAA)

This association works to raise awareness and provide opportunities, workshops and other valuable resources  for Asian American women in the arts. http://aawaa.net/

Asian American Writers Workshop (AAWW)

This national nonprofit has established itself as the leading organization dedicated to the creation, development, publication, and visibility of Asian American creative writers in the United States. http://aaww.org/

Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC)

The mission of the APACC is to build business relationships between U.S. and Asian companies and to create economic wealth for the Asian Pacific American community. http://www.apacc.net/

Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)

This nonpartisan nonprofit committed to the inclusion and advancement of Asian Pacific Americans in all levels of the political process. They offer programs to develop leaders, build public policy knowledge and assist Asian Pacific Americans in gaining public office at local, state and federal levels. http://apaics.org/

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)

This organization unites Asian American and Pacific Island employees in the United States to promote employee, immigrant and civil rights for the Asian Pacific community. Backed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), they offer over 20 chapters/ throughout the United States. http://www.apalanet.org/

Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (APIACE)

The APIACE advocates on behalf of Asian American businesses to ensure economic growth and opportunities for the Asian American community.  http://nationalace.org/

Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Program

This organization is dedicated to the training and development of Asian Pacific American leaders with a focus on social justice, community and public service. https://aclfnorthwest.org/

Asian Professional Exchange

With 10,000 members nationwide, this network hosts both cultural events and professional seminars. http://apex.org/

Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)

CAPAL encourages more Asian American and Pacific Island leadership and development in public service.  The conference also educates the community on issues affecting the Asian American/Pacific Islander community. http://www.capal.org/

Goldsea

Featuring at least 100 success stories of diverse women in the Asian community, this site is sure to inspire. http://goldsea.com/Profiles/100/100.html

Japanese-American Citizens League

An advocacy organization for Asian and Pacific Island Americans and other minority communities, this organization regularly brings people together. https://jacl.org/

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

A premier network of Asian Pacific American law students, professors, attorneys and judges. This membership based organizations boasts over 50,000 members which makes it a great resource for networking. http://www.napaba.org/

National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)

A national network that supports and empowers Asian and Pacific Island Americans through professional development, community service and networking. Programs includes ‘Women in NAAP!’ which focuses on developing leadership skills among Asian & Pacific Island women in America. http://www.naaap.org/

Organization of Chinese American Women

This advocacy group dedicates itself to improving the educational, economic, social and political opportunities of Chinese and other Asian Pacific American women. http://www.ocawwomen.org/

Taiwanese American Citizens League (TACL)

A networking, leadership development and support group for Taiwanese Americans throughout the United States.  http://tacl.org/

The Asian American Advertising Federation

The mission of the Asian American Advertising Federation is to advance the footprint of the Asian American community in marketing and advertising industries, while also raising awareness for the importance of Asian American contributions in this field. http://www.3af.org/

The Committee of 100

This membership based organization encourages achievements among Chinese Americans and fosters relationships between the U.S. and Greater China. https://committee100.org/

The Red Shoe Movement

After finding success with her book and social-media-based “red shoe” movement to support professional women, Argentinian-American Mariela Dabbah decided to start hosting immigrant-friendly events for all women, where participants choose the subjects and find network within, and outside of, their community. http://redshoemovement.com/

Upwardly Global

Connects skilled immigrants with professional career opportunities. https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/

Women in Power Program

Hosted through the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, this program connects women leaders with established, high-profile women leaders in business and other fields. http://bit.ly/1Wx6sxd