White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Publisher Marketing: According to the most recent U. S. Census figures, there are over 17 million Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the United States today. As one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse groups in the country, AAPIs trace their heritage to over 30 different countries and ethnic groups and speak over 100 languages and dialects. From 2000 to 2010, Asian Americans experienced a 43 percent increase and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders experienced a 30 percent increase in population. To help understand what these changing demographics mean for the federal government, President Obama reauthorized the White House Initiative on AAPIs on Oct. 14, 2009, to improve the quality of life of AAPIs by better connecting them with federally available programs and protections. Although AAPIs have helped build a strong and vibrant U. S., many still face linguistic isolation, poverty, immigration issues, and other barriers to achieving their full potential. This Guide to Federal Agency Resources is an easy-to-use navigational tool on federal funding, programs, and resources. It is by no means comprehensive, but it is meant to provide a brief snapshot of federal resources available to assist organizations and individuals seeking to improve the quality of life of AAPIs. Within this guide, individuals and organizations can find such information as grant opportunities for nonprofit organizations, loan programs to help start a business, federal resources for food and housing for low-income individuals, and health-care programs for veterans. For each federal entity highlighted, the first section provides a short description of online search engines for federal government grants. Each subsequent section provides an overview of the federal agency, selected services and programs that agency offers, and links to additional resources. This guide also includes 10 Grantee Spotlights, featuring organizations and individuals who have successfully navigated the federal grant application process and can offer advice, by example, to prospective applicants.