Korean American nonprofits in California are facing sharp funding disparities, with the largest organizations holding a disproportionate share of resources.
According to an analysis by Sodavi (chaired by Sunho Kim, professor at USC) and the AI startup Givance (CEO Jiyoon Heo), using IRS data (2023; Form 990–501(c)), the combined budget of the top 10 Korean American nonprofits in California reached $127.3 million, while 45% of the state’s 319 organizations operated on less than $100,000.
KHEIR Clinic reported the largest budget at $31.9 million, more than 45 times the statewide average of $700,000, as previously reported on September 29. Founded in 1986, the clinic supports low-income residents with Medi-Cal enrollment and medical care through facilities in Koreatown, LA, including a clinic and senior welfare services.
Erin Park, director of KHEIR Clinic, said, “We earned the distinction of being the largest Korean American nonprofit thanks to support from the Korean community,” adding, “The board will work harder to recruit more Korean-speaking specialists and expand clinical departments.”
The second-largest nonprofit, Community-Based Education (CBD) in Koreatown, had a budget of $24.6 million, offering online bachelor’s degrees and medical and other professional certification programs. Korean Community Services (KCS) in Orange County ranked third with $19.7 million, providing immigrant settlement support, mental-health counseling, and medical services through its own clinic, and is reported to be financially stable.
The Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC) ranked fourth with $17.2 million, despite recent controversy for issuing eviction notices to homeless residents while serving as a city partner for low-income housing programs.
Other organizations included Korean American Family Services (KFAM) and World Mission University (WMU), each at $7.7 million, followed by Onnuri Church of Irvine ($5.8 million), Link Global ($4.5 million), Evergreen Childcare ($4.3 million), and the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA, $3.9 million).
Together, the top 10 nonprofits accounted for more than half of the total $223 million budget across California’s Korean American nonprofits. Researchers emphasized that stronger personal and corporate donations are needed to address the growing gap.
Eunjung Jung, co-founder of Sodavi, said, “Even small donations can have a big impact,” urging the Korean American community to build a stronger culture of giving across diverse fields.
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
