3. Who is Asian American?
Source: Wikipedia, “Asian American” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_American
4. Who is Asian American?
As of July 1, 2008:
• 304 million U.S. population
• 15.5 million Asian alone or in combination, 5.1% of
the U.S. population
Top 5 States by Population Size:
California
5,073,000
New York
1,484,000
Texas
956,000
New Jersey
711,000
Hawaii
696,000
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 National Population Estimates, July 1 and April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008
5. Who is Asian American?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 American Community Survey
6. Who is Asian American?
Personal and household income distribution, by race/ethnicity
Race/ethnic Type of
group
income
Asian
Americans
Hispanic or
Latino
African
Americans
SOURCE: US Census Bureau, 2006
$25k$50k
Persons
White
Poverty <$25k
N/A
35.6%
Households
8.6%
Persons
N/A
$50k$75k
$75k$100k
>$100k
35.2% 14.5%
6.9%
7.2%
24.9%
26.3% 18.9%
11.6%
18.3%
33.5%
29.8% 18.1%
8.0%
10.6%
Households 10.1%
20.9%
19.3% 19.2%
13.1%
27.5%
Persons
N/A
49.4%
36.5% 9.0%
2.6%
2.6%
Households
18.3%
37.7%
29.7% 17.2%
6.6%
8.8%
Persons
N/A
41.3%
37.0% 15.7%
3.5%
2.6%
Households
22.3%
43.1%
26.8% 15.1%
7.3%
7.8%
11. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
12. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
13. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
14. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
15. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
16. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
17. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
18. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
19. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
20. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
21. Ten Motivations of Asian Americans to
Give to U.S. Higher Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sense of duty to support American society
Donor’s desires for personal benefits
Self-satisfaction and the joy of giving
Reciprocal incentives from college experiences
Institutional attachment to alma mater
Individual affinity to Asian American communities
Demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the
Asian American community
8. Personal attachment to charitable gifts
9. Traditional beliefs in higher education
10. Filial piety and fraternal responsibility
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
22. Donor Perceptions of Effective
University Fundraising Strategies
Introducing the concept of philanthropy to Asian
American students
Institutional involvement with Asian American
alumni
Developing targeted strategies for Asian American
donors
Involving Asian American community leaders in
asking
Recruiting development officers with cultural
sensitivity
Avoid Asking, and Build Trustworthy Relationships
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
23. Donor Perceptions of Effective
University Fundraising Strategies
Introducing the concept of philanthropy to Asian
American students
Institutional involvement with Asian American
alumni
Developing targeted strategies for Asian American
donors
Involving Asian American community leaders in
asking
Recruiting development officers with cultural
sensitivity
Avoid Asking, and Build Trustworthy Relationships
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
24. Donor Perceptions of Effective
University Fundraising Strategies
Introducing the concept of philanthropy to Asian
American students
Institutional involvement with Asian American
alumni
Developing targeted strategies for Asian American
donors
Involving Asian American community leaders in
asking
Recruiting development officers with cultural
sensitivity
Avoid Asking, and Build Trustworthy Relationships
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
25. Donor Perceptions of Effective
University Fundraising Strategies
Introducing the concept of philanthropy to Asian
American students
Institutional involvement with Asian American
alumni
Developing targeted strategies for Asian American
donors
Involving Asian American community leaders in
asking
Recruiting development officers with cultural
sensitivity
Avoid Asking, and Build Trustworthy Relationships
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
26. Donor Perceptions of Effective
University Fundraising Strategies
Introducing the concept of philanthropy to Asian
American students
Institutional involvement with Asian American
alumni
Developing targeted strategies for Asian American
donors
Involving Asian American community leaders in
asking
Recruiting development officers with cultural
sensitivity
Avoid Asking, and Build Trustworthy Relationships
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
27. Donor Perceptions of Effective
University Fundraising Strategies
Introducing the concept of philanthropy to Asian
American students
Institutional involvement with Asian American
alumni
Developing targeted strategies for Asian American
donors
Involving Asian American community leaders in
asking
Recruiting development officers with cultural
sensitivity
Avoid Asking, and Build Trustworthy Relationships
Source: “Unraveling the Myths of Chinese American Giving: Exploring Donor Motivations and
Effective Fundraising Strategies for the U.S. Higher Education” K. Tsunoda
28. Contact Information
Andrew Ho
Council on Foundations
Manager, Global Philanthropy
Email: Andrew.Ho@cof.org
Phone: (703) 879-0743
Twitter: @andyho
www.cof.org
www.asianamericangiving.com
www.linkedin.com/in/andyho
Notas del editor
Any person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. It includes Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Other Asian."
Pacific Islander is in a separate category (Oceania, Australia)
Family
Filial piety - Confucius says, ―Exemplary persons (junzi) concentrate their efforts on the root, for the root having taken hold, the way (dao) will grow there from. As for filial and fraternal responsibility, it is, I suspect, the root of benevolence (ren)‖ (The Analects 1.2 in Ames, 1998, p. 71).
Learning from parents, grandparents: “―in a moment of happiness, don‘t forget to give to charity”
You’re part of the community, you should give back to it. Exposure to civic environment. – Grandpa, parents
Religion
Confucianism – self effacement, frugality, generosity as a private matter (also Buddhism)
Christianity –
Korean Americans, particularly immigrants, possess various ‘indigenous’ traditions of philanthropy. These include practices of informal giving to extended family and other close relations, such as friends or fellow church members; and church-based giving and volunteering, which are social norms among the 70-80 percent of Korean Americans who identify as Christian. Though the popularity of western-style philanthropy is growing throughout the diaspora, a good deal of giving, particularly among immigrants, takes these forms.
Hinduism
Hindu religion, also known as Sanatana Dharma ( sustainable righteous conduct ), has an equivalent term dana ( giving ) for philanthropy. Dana ( giving ) is a fertile field for understanding the meanings and justifications of giving in religious, ethical, moral, theological, political, economic, and sociological contexts. Philanthropy brings name, fame, recognition and prosperity to the giver and his/her family in the here and now and enhances the quality of life for them after death.
Role of guanxi - consequently, many Chinese Americans, especially first-generation immigrants, are less likely to make planned gifts or leave bequests to charities.
Learning and study is the hallmark of Confucianism. This traditional focus on education is explicitly documented in the first teaching of The Analects:
Having studies, to then repeatedly apply what you have learned—is this not a source of pleasure? To have friends come from distant quarters—is this not a source of enjoyment? To go unacknowledged by others without harboring frustration—is this not the mark of an exemplary person (junzi)? (Ames, 1998, p. 71)
Asian Pacific Islander cultures highly value education
Desire an education at a prestigious institution
Often perceive that community colleges are “second rate” or “second choice”
Evolved as greater engagement in American civic society
Volunteer experiences
America gave me the opportunities to shape who I am today
Desire to help the next generation of Asian Americans become successful
Tax benefits – not primary but secondary benefit
Naming opportunities – a strong incentive. High correlation between mega gifts and named gifts after donors – about the thank you, not about the name.
Many gifts names after family units not individual donors
Making college degrees valuable – improved prestige of the alma mater would make one’s degree more valuable
It’s the right thing to do
Warm glow of giving
Perceived impacts of gifts to society more important than recognition
Positive college experiences – attribute professional success to college experience – fundamental skills and knowledge to thrive in America
Received scholarship – for many immigrants, the only way to go to school.
Influence by school’s philanthropic philosophy – generous financial aid, learning about philanthropy in college, volunteer service in college
Student-mentor relationships – those developed in college – a personal relationship, especially of those who immigrated and were alone.
Met his or her partner during college – memorable time with significant others
donors active engagement with alumni relations
Advancing Asian American communities – helping Asian American students, Asian American studies programs, Asian cultural programs
The extended family of Asian Americans
Improving US-Asia relations
Work in companies that have US and Asia presence
Supporting scholarly exchange programs
Celebrating Asian American University leadership
Supporting leadership and future endeavors
Stimulate others to follow their example
“The institution asked us to use their names”
Personal interests and values, involvement, align with charitable gifts
Chinese American donors embraced Chinese beliefs in higher education. Donors believed that higher education is a fundamental path to overcome any forms of prejudice and to prosper in life. Particularly for people from low-income family backgrounds, higher education opens up doors of opportunities.
giving to higher education advances society as a whole.
Another notable trend is former graduates of American institutions in China giving internationally to their alma maters in the U.S. This includes Chinese entrepreneurs, former student immigrants who returned back to their home country after the dot-com collapse in 2000. Additionally, former student immigrants are now sending their children back to U.S. institutions. Although they live overseas, these individuals feel grateful for not only their own but also for their children‘s educational experiences in the U.S.
Donors stated that introducing the concept of philanthropy to students is the first stage of fundraising. Universities need to create campus climates that celebrate the value of voluntary support. Although college students are not economically capable of giving, shared acknowledgement of philanthropic needs generate future contributions. offer a course on philanthropy and fundraising that ―talks about the charity and public contribution, and basically how you pay back to the society that type of lecture or class
The second stage involves ―giving‖ to alumni for further strengthened relationships. One way is to demonstrate institutional involvement with Asian American communities. Universities could acknowledge the community by resolving issues among Asian American students specifically. I think they should acknowledge, first of all, that the Asian American community is getting to be more and more of a presence in this country and have needs. So many of them apply for college, and they are in needs. A lot of them do have needs.
Developing targeted strategies for Asian American donors based on their ethnic, professional, and personal interests. The ethnic-specific alumni programs promote institutional attachments among Asian American alumni, particularly among those who feel a strong affinity to the Asian American community. They have not thrown parties for Asian donors, put it that way, at least that I know of. Something like that will make you feel like you‘re kind of exclusive, privileged or elite. They haven't done anything like that.
universities could celebrate Asian heritage by promoting Asian American leadership in the university administration. As mentioned above, a nomination of an Asian American leader at a public university attracted tremendous amounts of donations from Asian American donors. Likewise, universities could ―give to alumni through appointing Asian American leaders in administrative positions.
University presidents, deans, faculty, and development officers are all key actors who identify and strategize fundraising efforts. Besides these university personnel, donors suggested involving prominent Asian American leaders. Asian traditional beliefs celebrate absolute obedience and respect for elder members of the community. If these Asian American leaders from the community or business enterprises engage in asking, prospects will have a hard time rejecting their offers.
Universities need to recruit development officers who understand Asian American culture and norms. Effective development officers for Asian American donors do not necessarily have to be Asian Americans. More importantly, these are individuals who understand cultural nuances that are unique to Asian American donors. Qualified candidates are those who are actively involved in the Asian American community, people who are very well-networked and well aware of communal needs.
Throughout this ―taking process, universities should not ask for monetary donations directly, but instead focus on developing trustworthy personal relationships.
I think the American approach for many Asian donors would not work very well. You need to know how to wine and dine and then when to ask. And it‘s different for different people. Part of it is cultural, part of it is personal. So you really have to have both skills. And some Americans have that: you can really understand the cultural niceties but not all of them, whereas most Asian who grow up will understand. If they don‘t know they know who to ask… Find a really good either Asian American or American who lived in Asia who is in development who understands the cultural nuances. Or, find an Asian American donor who has very enthusiastically supported your organization who can help you develop an Asian initiative and help you hire somebody who can understand it. I met a lot of non-Asian Americans who lived in Asia who could be very good at doing this because they really get it. But I don‘t think I ever met any American non-Asian in development who could do as good of a job.
There is no right timing. You never know when they will be ready. You just have to continue to have interactions with them. Say hi to them, invite them to this and that. I have seen so many cases where a family gives a few thousand or maybe a hundred thousand in the last ten years, and suddenly they give about five million.
So thank you very much. I’m happy to answer questions later on during the Q&A session, or you can contact me at the Council as well. Thank you!