LEAP Forward. Give Back.

This year, the funding model that LEAP was built on upended. As DEI was recast as something to defend rather than something that empowers, support rolled back across sectors. Larger funders went quiet. Long-standing relationships ended abruptly. We have met it head-on by tightening expenses, diversifying our funding, and making hard calls across the organization. But that work takes time, and our runway got cut short.

Forty-four years in, LEAP is at risk. At risk is not the same as finished.

LEAP remains the only organization dedicated to building a sustained pipeline of Asian and Pacific Islander leaders across the corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. We've reached more than 130,000 people through over 2,900 programs, workshops, and presentations. That's a living network of leaders who are more capable, more connected, and more authentic because LEAP exists.

What we raise by the end of the year will decide how many leaders we train, how many workshops we run, and how many people get a seat in the room.

Our goal: $100,000

$75,000 covers operation and programs
$25,000 seeds a new Sustainability Fund to build LEAP's long-term financial durability

Thanks to LEAP's Board of Directors, every gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000.

Whether you came up through LEAP, partnered with us, or simply believe in what we do, we're asking you to LEAP Forward with us.

Every gift, at every level, moves LEAP forward.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If the funding problem is structural, why will next year be different?
- We’ve always aimed to balance our revenue generation from 40% earned revenue and 60% contributed revenue. Both sides concentrated on corporate support over the years. We are now diversifying within the model: direct to individuals on the earned side (what we call B2C) and individual donors on the contributed side. Same framework, just much wider support base.
What happens if LEAP does not hit the 100K goal by the end of October?
- We close the gap another way, and every one of those ways costs us something — more programming decisions, less capacity next year. That is the honest answer. It is also why we are asking now rather than in December.
Has LEAP explored offering trainings or development for non-Asian people who work with a lot of APIs so that they can be better leaders?
- LEAP’s work is deeply rooted in the histories, experiences, and stories of Asian and Pacific Islander communities, which continue to shape how we understand and approach leadership.
  At the same time, we believe there is value in bringing these perspectives into broader spaces. We welcome allies and participants from all backgrounds who come to our programs with genuine interest, curiosity, and a willingness to learn alongside our community. In recent years, this has also included more multicultural trainings and learning spaces that bring together people with a wide range of lived experiences.
  Ultimately, LEAP remains committed to serving and uplifting Asian and Pacific Islander communities while creating opportunities for our leadership perspectives, stories, and approaches to be shared more broadly. We believe these conversations can strengthen understanding, build connections across communities, and expand the way we think about leadership.
How else can alumni support outside of giving?
- " We really believe in the 4 Ts here: Time, Talent, Treasure and Testimony. Here are a couple things you can do:
  - Share LEAP. Please share this with at least one person tonight. Social media, email, text, word of mouth, help us get LEAP out there
  - Connect us. If your workplace offers matching gifts, in-kind support, or a philanthropic partnership, connect with us.
  - Participate. LEAP Connect happens the third Wednesday of every month. It's free, it's open, and showing up is enough — that's what makes you alumni. Every person who joins makes the network stronger for everyone in it.
  - Volunteer. There's a way in at almost any level of time commitment — reading applications, joining a focus group, taking a survey, showing up to network, or coming back as a mentor or coach. In an hour or a year, we'll find the right fit.”

LEAP Forward, Give Back

Team Leaderboard

Team Members