The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation

Working to Build a Peaceful, Prosperous, Just, and Open Asia-Pacific Region

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Asia Foundation?
The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. Since 1954, the Foundation has been working on the ground, collaborating with hundreds of governmental and nongovernmental partners across Asia. In 2006, the Foundation provided more than $53 million in program support and distributed 920,000 books and educational materials valued at $30 million throughout Asia.

What types of programs does The Asia Foundation support?
Through staff expertise, cooperation with local partners, and a long history in the region, the Foundation brings distinctive insights on local issues and has successfully implemented thousands of programs that benefit current and future generations. Program areas include:

  • Economic reform and development
  • Law and governance reform
  • Elections
  • Human rights
  • Women's programs
  • Environment
  • International relations
  • Information and communications technology
  • Exchanges

How do I apply for a grant?
The Asia Foundation is not a general grant foundation. Our grants go to specific organizations in the Asia Pacific that fall within our programming areas of women's participation, governance and law, international relations, and economic reform and development. We do not give funding to individuals that are not affiliated with those projects or with institutions with which we collaborate. Most of the Foundation's grants go to organizations in Asia. For more detailed information, please visit our grant guidelines page.

Do you have internships available?
The Asia Foundation's Junior Associates in Asian Affairs program takes applications for a limited number of opportunities for graduate students and recent graduate degree holders.

Do you have scholarships available?
The Foundation's programs are part of larger projects we are engaged in the Asia Pacific. We do not have programs or scholarships for individuals that are not associated with those projects or with institutions with which we collaborate. The Foundation administers the Luce Scholars program, while the Henry Luce Foundation funds the program. This scholarship, supported by the Luce Foundation, provides an opportunity for young Americans to spend a year in Asia working in the fields of medicine, law, international relations, performing arts, and other areas.

How do I make a donation to The Asia Foundation?
The following are several ways to make your tax deductible contribution to the Foundation:

Donate online: You can use our secure online donation form.

Donate by Mail: You can send your gift by check directly to The Asia Foundation at the address listed at the bottom of the page.

Donate by Electronic Transfer: You can contribute through an electronic transfer from your bank account to the Foundation's primary account at Bank of America. Please contact us for more detailed instructions.

A Gift of Stock: A gift of stock can be one of the most attractive ways for you to support our programs. Not only do you avoid capital gains tax but you also qualify for a tax-deduction based on the fair market value of the stock. Contact us for our detailed guidelines.

Matching Gifts: Corporate matching gifts boost the value of your gift to The Asia Foundation. If your company has a matching gift program, simply complete the matching gift form available through your company's personnel office and send it with your gift.

For more information please contact:

The Asia Foundation Development Department
465 California Street, 9th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
E-mail: stewardship@asiafound.org
Phone: (415) 743-3366

If you would like to donate books to our Books for Asia program, please contact Gavin Tritt, Books for Asia Director. They can be reached at:

The Asia Foundation, Books for Asia
2490 Verna Court
San Leandro, CA 94577
Email: Gavin Tritt
Phone: (510) 667-6475

How do I get on The Asia Foundation mailing list and/or listserv?
Send an email to info@asiafound.org and specify your area of interest (countries, program area, publications, events etc.). Please also include your name, company (if applicable), phone/fax number, and email address. If you would like to subscribe to an monthly electronic update, e-mail The Asia Foundation at: listserv@asiafound-dc.org. In the subject line, write "Subscribe." Please include your name, title, affiliation, phone number, fax number, and the e-mail address which you would like to receive The Asia Foundation Monthly Update.

Where is the Foundation located?
The Asia Foundation is headquartered in San Francisco, has an office in Washington, D.C., and operates 17 offices across Asia.

Who is The Asia Foundation's staff?
Foundation program staff, both in the U.S. and Asia, hold a wide range of expertise, as well as years of experience throughout the region. See Experts Guide. The Foundation has more than 550 employees both in the U.S. and Asia.

How does The Asia Foundation receive funding?
The Asia Foundation's budget comes from a combination of private corporations, individuals, and foundations, successful competition for funding from governmental and multi-national development agencies, and an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress.

Who are The Asia Foundation's grantees?
The Foundation collaborates with private and public partners in Asia to support leadership and institutional development, provide technical assistance, organize exchanges, conduct policy research, and develop educational materials. During the past five years, the Foundation has supported more than 1000 non-governmental organizations throughout Asia.