Albany, NY – In the Fiscal Year 2025-26 state budget, a historic commitment of $30 million was made for the third consecutive year for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) New Yorkers. NYS APA Task Force joins the AAPI Equity Budget Coalition (EBC), a coalition of over 100 AAPI community leaders and nonprofits, in celebrating this historic investment in supporting AAPI communities. This funding will support community-based programming, crisis intervention initiatives, housing assistance, economic development, workforce training, educational initiatives and healthcare services for these communities.

This funding includes $30 million for the AAPI community in New York State. This advocacy, successfully led by Assemblymember Grace Lee and Senator John Liu, is a response to the extraordinary needs of New York’s AAPI community and in recognition of the legislature’s responsibility to support and protect vulnerable New Yorkers. The $30 million will fund over 100 AAPI organizations who provide critical language-accessible and culturally competent programs to AAPI communities. The inclusion of this funding in the FY25 budget moves New York one step closer to a future where these communities are fully protected and supported. Although there is much to be done to achieve this goal, this funding represents a significant achievement to addressing inequities that disadvantage AAPI communities across the state.

“With this historic funding, we are empowering Asian New Yorkers by giving them the tools they need to build support systems that work best for their neighborhoods,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee, Chair of the Asian Pacific American (APA) Task Force. “As a legislative body, it is our job to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected and supported. After a long history of overlooking their needs, we are sending the AAPI community a message that their voices are heard and their lives are valued in New York. I thank Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for working with the legislature to recognize AAPI communities in this year’s budget.”

"The AAPI Equity Budget Coalition is leading the way in demonstrating what real community investment looks like, not just for Asian Americans, but all communities of color,” said Senator John Liu. “This year’s unprecedented funding expands on the past achievements of the coalition, branching out to serve even more historically underrepresented communities. In a time when the values of equity and inclusion are under attack at the national level, New York is sending a different message: that we all rise and fall together, and every community deserves to have the resources to be seen, heard, and capable of serving."

“The AAPI community is not only the fastest growing population across all of New York State, it’s also the fastest growing population in Upstate New York,” said Senator Jeremy Cooney. “We know that our communities need more support, and that’s exactly what we did in this year’s budget. From supporting AAPI organizations and nonprofits to combating hate crimes, this investment is proof that we’re prioritizing the needs of our growing community across New York.”

“As the only Southeast Asian American elected to the New York State Legislature, I am proud to see our state allocate $30 million to support the AAPI community,” said Assemblymember Steven Raga. “This is the third year the funding has been allocated, and it’s a testament to the indispensable work AAPI community organizations do to combat hate and provide essential services to their communities. Thank you to Assemblymember Chair Grace Lee and Executive Director Liya Thachil of the Asian Pacific American Task Force, as well as our community leaders, for championing this initiative! With the renewal of this funding, we are building a stronger, more inclusive New York for all.”

“I’m proud to be a member of the NYS Assembly's Asian Pacific American (APA) Task Force and to stand alongside so many dedicated colleagues and advocates who have worked tirelessly to uplift AAPI communities across New York State,” said Assemblymember Amy Paulin. “Securing this funding in this year’s budget is a significant step forward in ensuring equity, representation, and support for vital AAPI causes. I’m thrilled to see our collective efforts making a tangible impact, and I look forward to continuing this important work together.”

Assemblymember Sarah Clark says, "The AAPI community is the fastest growing population in the state, especially here in the 136th Assembly district. I am incredibly proud that this year’s state budget includes funding to support our AAPI communities. This is an achievement made possible through tireless advocacy and collaboration. This investment is a direct result of the hard work of community leaders, service organizations, and my colleagues on the APA Task Force who have long fought to address the disparities and uplift the voices of our AAPI neighbors. I remain committed to ensuring that this momentum continues and that our growing AAPI populations have the resources and support they deserve to thrive."

“I applaud Speaker Heastie for continuing this critical funding to boost community-based organizations,” said Assemblymember Chris Burdick. “These organizations are vital to our AAPI communities throughout the state and contribute to our shared goals of creating a more just and equitable society."

"This investment into our AANHPI communities is a tangible example of our commitment to ensuring equity across New York State," said Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes. "This funding will make certain that AANHPI communities have continued access to vital social services that are delivered in a culturally competent manner. By investing in community, we are building towards a future where every voice is heard and every community is seen".

“The Legislature has enacted a budget that acknowledges the diverse needs and provides critical support for AAPI New Yorkers,” said Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright. “Our Asian American neighbors enrich their communities--culturally, socially and economically – yet they have been systemically underfunded. This funding, which will address rising challenges in education, language access and anti-Asian bigotry, is a major step toward reversing this historical injustice.”

“I was proud to fight alongside my colleagues in the APA Task Force to secure $30 million for the AAPI Equity Budget,” said Assemblymember Edward Braunstein. “Despite being New York’s fastest growing population demographic, the Asian American Pacific Islander community has faced historical underinvestment. The AAPI Equity Budget seeks to help correct this by earmarking funds to support critical social services, crisis intervention, and community-based programming throughout New York State. I thank Senator Liu and Assemblywoman Lee for their leadership in securing these critical funds.” “The Asian American Federation (AAF) is thrilled that the New York State Asian American and Pacific Islander Equity Budget Coalition (AAPI EBC) has secured $30 million in the New York State Budget,” said Andrew St. Ana, Deputy Director of Research and Policy of AAF. “We are grateful to our legislative champions, State Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Grace Lee, for keeping up the fight through the legislative session. In a time when Asian New Yorkers have faced unprecedented challenges this funding will provide much-needed social services to historically marginalized Asian New Yorkers and their communities. Together with our co-lead, the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, AAF will continue to fight for 2.1 million Asian New Yorkers, the fastest growing population in the State.”

“The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) is proud to see a historic re-investment in our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities - the fastest growing population - across New York in this year’s State budget. The allocation of $30 Million Dollars is a recognition of and commitment to strengthening critical life-affirming, culturally responsive, and language accessible programs that our AAPI-led and -serving community-based organizations provide to New Yorkers across the state. CACF is proud that these funds will continue to support the first and only AAPI Community Development Fund for small and emerging nonprofits in all corners of our state,” said Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung, Co-Executive Directors of CACF. “In addition, we are excited to see that the Hispanic and Black Task Forces and Asian American Pacific Islander Equity Budget (AAPI EBC) together were allocated $90 million to go towards investments for all our communities. The AAPI Equity Budget Coalition is grateful to Governor Hochul, Senator Liu, Assembly Member Grace Lee and the APA Task Force for taking these critical steps in the New York State Budget for our community.”