ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONGRESSIONAL STUDIES INC
Building the political pipeline for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
There are very few Asian Americans that are currently in elected office or running for office. Similarly, there are not many government or political staffers that identify as AAPIs (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders). This is still the case even when you normalize the data using the percentage of the total US population that AAPIs make up.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Summer Internships
The APAICS Summer Internship Program is an eight-week program that provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to work in Washington. D.C., and experience American politics and public policy. APAICS interns are placed in U.S. congressional offices and federal agencies. The program develops leadership and professional skills, encourages political and civic engagement, and fosters a strong interest in public service careers.
All interns are required to participate in APAICS orientation and training programs, complete weekly journals, and submit a program evaluation at the end of the internship. A schedule of internship activities will be provided upon arrival to Washington, D.C.
Fellowships
Program Overview
The APAICS Congressional Fellowship is designed for young AA & NH/PI professionals looking to increase their experience in public policy and service. The full-time paid, 9-month program places Fellows in congressional offices to gain policy experience as part of the legislative team. The program provides Fellows with opportunities to build their leadership skills, encourage political engagement, and foster interest in a public service career.
National Leadership Academy
The APAICS National Leadership Academy for Elected Officials was established in 1999 to provide Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elected officials with the skills and resources needed to excel in their current office as well as prepare them for opportunities to advance into higher office. The National Leadership Academy brings together a bipartisan group of promising AAPI political leaders from state legislatures, city councils, and local governing bodies all across the country to Washington, D.C.
Regional Leadership Academies
The APAICS Regional Leadership Academy is a two-day leadership training and policy summit for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community stake holders and those seeking to run for elected office at all levels across the country.
Kakehashi
The Kakehashi Program is designed to promote people-to-people exchange between Japan and the United States. The program will provide participants with an enhanced understanding of Japanese economics, society, history, culture, politics, and diplomatic policies and encourage individuals to play an active role in the future of U.S.-Japan relations.
The Japanese word “kakehashi” means “bridge,” which symbolizes the hope that participants will form lasting relationships with Japan and its people, and serve as bridges between nations and cultures. Participants who travel to Japan are encouraged to share their experiences and discoveries with their networks at home, and contribute to greater appreciation of Japanese culture worldwide.
This program is organized jointly by the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) and the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE).
Legislative Leadership Academy
The APAICS Legislative Leaders Academy, in partnership with the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), is a leadership development program for mid-senior level legislative staffers (Legislative Correspondent or Legislative Assistant level) of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage. The program will provide participants the opportunity to hone their leadership skills, deepen their confidence, strengthen professional relationships, and build community in order to pursue senior management roles such as Legislative Director, Chief of Staff, Committee Staff Director, or Communications Director.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must have previous or current experience in an entry to mid level legislative role (e.g. Legislative Assistant, Legislative Aide, Legislative Correspondent) at any level of government. Preference will be given to applicants of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage.
Women's Collective
The Women’s Collective aims to build a community that inspires and supports AA & NH/PI women to become politically engaged by leading the national conversation on AA & NH/PI women representation in politics, uplifting AA & NH/PI women in politics, creating resources and tools for AA & NH/PI women to increase representation in public service, and to connect leaders and stakeholders. Programs such as our Women’s Collective Office Hours series provide AA & NH/PI women the chance to hear from leaders who represent varying political spectrums.
Youth Leadership Academy
The APAICS Youth Leadership Academy program, in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, is a week-long leadership development and enrichment program geared towards high school students. The purpose of the program is to provide students of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) heritage the unique opportunity to learn more about government and public policy issues impacting the AA & NH/PI community and how they can be more involved in the political process.
About the Close Up Foundation
The mission of the non-profit, non-partisan Close Up Foundation is to inform, inspire and empower young people to understand and embrace the rights and responsibilities of active citizenship. Since 1971, Close Up has served more than 900,000 students and teachers from across the country. Close Up serves middle and high school students and teachers through civic education programs, professional development for educators, and classroom resources.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of multi-year grants received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a national non-partisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian Pacific American participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office. APAICS programs focus on developing leadership, building public policy knowledge, and filling the political pipeline for Asian Pacific Americans to pursue public office at the local, state, and federal levels.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Each year we host a two-day national leadership academy in Washington, DC. At the academy, we offer rigorous training in all aspects of running for office which are conducted by established professionals who are experts in their fields. We also hold round table discussions during the academy to address issues that will be prominent when attendees start their political campaigns. AAPIs from across the country who are interested in running for office may apply.
We also host four to five regional leadership academies around the country each year. They are smaller versions of the national leadership academy and usually held in cities with high concentrations of AAPIs. Trainings and round table discussions are tailored to local candidates and races.
Each year we sponsor multiple internships in Washington, DC. AAPI students from across the country may apply. Successful candidates are placed in a congressional office or government agency for the summer. They get the opportunity to work directly within the federal government and experience the public policy sphere first hand.
We also sponsor fellowships each year. Recent graduates from across the country may apply. Candidates who are accepted join the official staff of a congressional office for 9 to 12 months. They are treated as normal staffers and have content based responsibilities.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is the educational arm of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Thus, we have a direct connection to all CAPAC members and their offices. This includes 18 executive members and 46 associate members for a total of 64 members of congress.
Through our annual gala and constant outreach, we have a built a network of local AAPI leaders across the country. We are able to leverage this network when planning regional leadership academies to ensure that we are reaching the best candidates and instructors.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Thus far, we have had 366 national leadership academy participants, 213 regional leadership academy participants, 65 congressional fellows, 244 summer interns, and 84 young leaders summit participants.
APAICS academy attendees have risen to elected office at multiple levels of government, including multiple members of US Congress.
Going forward, we plan to expand each of our programs as much as funding will allow in order to train more AAPIs that will one day hopefully pursue elected office.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONGRESSIONAL STUDIES INC
Board of directorsas of 11/02/2023
Susan Jin Davis
Al Roker Entertainment
Term: 2012 - 2023
Susan Jin Davis
Al Roker Entertainment
Jason Chan
AT&T
Judy Chu
US Congress
June Jee
Retired
David L. Kim
Iambic Group
Tariq Khan
Global Diversity Marketing
Scott Y. Nishimoto
State Representative, State of Hawaii
Robin R. Rorick
American Petroleum Institute
Jimmie Williams
Washington Literacy Center
Glenda Beach
Statefarm
Ron Chu
Toyota
Krish Gupta
Dell
David L. Kim
NAPCA
Manufou Liaga-Anoa'i
Commissioner
Mona Mohib
McGuireWoods Consulting
Jim Nam
Pepsico
Liliana Ranon
NAB
Phillip Thomas-Wallace
Walmart
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
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