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THE ASIA FOUNDATION

SAN FRANCISCO, CA · EIN 941191246 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE Q300 · International Affairs · Very Large (>$50M) · www.asiafoundation.org
revenue
$101.6M
expenses
$104.7M
net assets
$37.4M
employees
154
volunteers
34
program ratio
85%
filing since
2019
mission · from form 990

THE ASIA FOUNDATION IS A NON-PROFIT, INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Asia Foundation is an international nonprofit organization working across Asia and the Pacific to address critical social, economic, and governance challenges. It partners with governments, civil society, and local organizations to advance inclusive economic growth, strengthen democratic institutions, improve access to justice, and support environmental resilience. The organization operates in multiple countries, implementing research-driven programs and policy initiatives aimed at sustainable development and regional cooperation.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $20.78M
    THE ASIA FOUNDATION'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/REGIONAL COOPERATION PROGRAM WORKS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS AMONG ASIAN NATIONS AND THEIR PEOPLE TO FOSTER A PEACEFUL, JUST AND THRIVING ASIA. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS ASIAN INITIATIVES TO FOSTER INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND BROADEN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN. WE WORK AT ALL LEVELS, FROM LOCAL TO REGIONAL, TO EXPAND INVESTMENT AND TRADE, STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS AMONG GOVERNMENTS, PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, AND CIVIL SOCIETY TO PROMOTE BROAD-BASED, SUSTAINABLE GROWTH; AND IMPROVE THE SUPPORTIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
  2. #2 $9.86M
    WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM - FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS, THE ASIA FOUNDATION HAS EMPOWERED WOMEN AND GIRLS ACROSS THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. THROUGH OUR WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM, WE HAVE TRANSFORMED THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON THREE KEY AREAS: EXPANDING WOMEN'S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, INCREASING WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND SECURITY, AND ADVANCING WOMEN'S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION. THE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM ALSO PURSUES AN INTEGRATED APPROACH THAT PROMOTES GENDER EQUALITY ACROSS ALL FOUNDATION PROGRAMS.
named programs · 11 · from sources

what they call their work

Accessing the Digital Economy
Program in Malaysia providing digital skills training, mentoring, and entrepreneurship support to women-led SMEs
Blue Economy Initiative
Research and community engagement program in Sabah, Malaysia, promoting sustainable coastal and river resource management, youth employment, and environmental stewardship
Data-Powered Innovation to Tackle Extreme Poverty
Program in Indonesia using data systems to improve targeting and policy responses for extreme poverty reduction
Go Digital ASEAN
Regional initiative developing specialized digital curricula for ASEAN countries to enhance digital literacy and economic participation
Growing the Blue Economy
Program in Sabah, Malaysia assessing community-driven initiatives in sustainable fisheries, renewable ocean energy, and maritime commerce
India-U.S. Triangular Development Partnership (TriDeP)
Program that leverages Indian development expertise to support sustainable agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and renewable energy in third countries like Tanzania
Legal Aid Program
Program in Laos that supports the establishment of legal aid offices and clinics to improve access to justice for all citizens
Let’s Read
Initiative to advance Indonesian literacy by increasing access to children's books and reading materials
Revitalizing Wetland Habitats
Environmental program in Laos supporting sustainable wetland management in Xe Bang Fai district and Khammouane province
She Can
Empowerment program for women in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, launched in partnership with the DBS Foundation
Support Networks for GBV Survivors
Multi-country research and support project in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to improve screening and services for gender-based violence and trafficking survivors
activities · 28

what they do

direct service · 5
  • Implements cross-sector development programs Sustainable Community Development Programs
    Conducts programs in sustainable development, peacebuilding, environment and disaster management, and regional economic cooperation to address social and economic challenges across Asia and the Pacific.
  • Implements cross-sector development programs in Asia and the Pacific Sustainable Community Development Programs
    Implements programs addressing sustainable development, peacebuilding, environmental and disaster management, and regional economic cooperation to address social and economic challenges across Asia and the Pacific.
  • Supports sustainable wetland management in Lao PDR
    Supported three villages in Xe Bang Fai district and Khammouane province, Lao PDR, to develop and implement sustainable wetland management plans, leading to the regeneration of wetland habitats and aquatic species.
  • Supports sustainable wetland management in Laos
    Supported three villages in Xe Bang Fai district and Khammouane province, Laos, to develop sustainable wetland management plans, leading to regeneration of wetland habitats and aquatic species.
  • Supports women-led SMEs in Malaysia with digital transformation Reentry Job Training for Women
    Provides training, mentoring, and skill-building to women-led small and medium enterprises in Malaysia to support digital transformation and access to technology careers.
research · 10
  • Conducts multi-country research on pandemic impacts
    Conducted an eight-city qualitative research project on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on marginalized groups, including tourism workers, across five Asian countries, with fieldwork in Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Pakse, and Luang Prabang in Lao PDR.
  • Conducts qualitative research on pandemic impacts on marginalized groups
    Conducted an eight-city qualitative research project across five Asian countries, examining the socioeconomic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on marginalized populations, including tourism workers in multiple cities in Lao PDR.
  • Conducts research on blue economy and sustainable resource management Sustainable Fisheries Management & Restoration
    Conducted research on community-driven initiatives in Sabah’s blue economy, focusing on sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship.
  • Conducts research on blue economy and sustainable resource management Sustainable Fisheries Management & Restoration
    Conducted research on community-driven initiatives in Sabah’s blue economy, focusing on sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship to inform local and regional policy.
  • Conducts research on sustainable agroforestry Scientific Research & Regeneration Initiatives
    Conducted research on sustainable agroforestry as part of climate-smart agriculture initiatives.
  • Conducts research to inform development policy in Myanmar Curriculum & Research Development
    Conducts research, data analysis, and evidence gathering to inform decision-making by development partners and international NGOs in Myanmar, including the development of a publicly available curriculum and a six-module resource kit on fiscal federalism to support peacebuilding and national dialogue.
  • Conducts research to inform policy in Myanmar Curriculum & Research Development
    Conducts research, analysis, and data gathering in Myanmar to inform decision-making by development partners and international NGOs, including through a publicly available curriculum and a six-module resource kit on fiscal federalism to support the peace process and national dialogue.
  • Leads multi-country research on gender-based violence and human trafficking
    Leads a multi-country research project in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka studying screening and support services for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking, producing national and regional policy recommendations; also supports vulnerability mapping in Jharkhand, India, to inform anti-trafficking measures.
  • Leads multi-country research on gender-based violence and trafficking Human Trafficking Prevention Education
    Leads a multi-country research project in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to study screening and support services for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking, producing national and regional recommendations.
  • Supports vulnerability mapping to combat human trafficking Human Trafficking Prevention Education
    Supports vulnerability mapping in Jharkhand, India, to inform government preventative measures against human trafficking.
capacity building · 13
  • Establishes legal aid infrastructure in Laos Community-Based Legal Clinics for Migrants
    Supported the establishment and operation of 94 legal aid offices and eight legal aid clinics in Laos through the Legal Aid Program, enhancing access to justice at the community level.
  • Maintains long-term institutional collaboration in Indonesia
    Established an office in Indonesia in 1955 and has sustained ongoing collaboration with Indonesian institutions and civil society organizations.
  • Maintains permanent country offices and long-term institutional partnerships in Asia and the Pacific
    Operates 17 permanent country offices across more than 20 countries in Asia and the Pacific, including a long-standing presence in Indonesia since 1955, supporting ongoing collaboration with local institutions and civil society organizations.
  • Operates judicial data analysis hub and eLearning for anti-corruption certification
    Developed an eLearning module for Anti-Corruption Certification for judges and operates a judicial online data analysis hub hosting over 5.3 million judicial decisions, receiving 12,000–20,000 daily visitors and processing 27,000–52,000 searches per day.
  • Operates judicial data analysis hub and eLearning for anti-corruption certification
    Developed an eLearning module for Anti-Corruption Certification for judges and operates a judicial online data analysis hub that hosts over 5.3 million judicial decisions, receives 12,000–20,000 daily visitors, and processes 27,000–52,000 searches daily.
  • Operates permanent country offices across Asia and the Pacific
    Maintains 17 permanent country offices in over 20 countries across Asia and the Pacific to support regional programs.
  • Organizes women's education and professional exchanges in STEM
    Organizes exchanges to advance women's education and professional development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
  • Partners on renewable energy development in Tanzania Clean Energy Policy & Project Development
    Partnered with the U.S. and Tanzania under the Triangular Development Partnership (TriDeP) program to promote renewable energy development in Tanzania.
  • Promotes women's education and professional advancement in STEM
    Organizes exchange programs to advance women's education and professional development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
  • Provides cybersecurity training for small enterprises Tailored Cybersecurity Training for Specific Populations
    Delivers cybersecurity training to small enterprises and equips micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India with enhanced cybersecurity resilience through targeted capacity-building programs.
  • Provides cybersecurity training for small enterprises Tailored Cybersecurity Training for Specific Populations
    Delivers cybersecurity training and builds resilience for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including through targeted programs in India.
  • Supports legal aid infrastructure in Laos Community-Based Legal Clinics for Migrants
    Supported the establishment and operation of 94 legal aid offices and eight legal aid clinics in Laos through the Legal Aid Program.
  • Supports women-led SMEs in Malaysia with digital transformation Reentry Job Training for Women
    Provides training, mentoring, and skill-building programs for women-led small and medium enterprises in Malaysia to support digital transformation and access to technology careers.
strategies · 22

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.

  • Advancing gender equity and education for empowerment gender-equity and education support unique to this org
    Promotes the safety, rights, and empowerment of women and girls through gender-responsive programming, education initiatives, and policy engagement.
  • Community-based development for local capacity and resilience community_based_development unique to this org
    Implements grassroots programs that strengthen local capacities in development management, environmental protection, and access to information, particularly in underserved areas like Laos.
  • Community-led and community-based development community_led_development unique to this org
    Supports community-led and community-based initiatives that empower local actors to manage development, protect the environment, and preserve culture, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
  • Community-led development with integrated sustainability goals community_led_development unique to this org
    The Foundation supports community-initiated and managed projects that integrate environmental sustainability, youth engagement, and cultural preservation—such as in Sabah’s blue economy—to ensure local ownership and long-term impact.
  • Dialogue and exchange to strengthen regional cooperation dialogue_and_exchange unique to this org
    Facilitates regional dialogue and exchange programs to enhance security, promote women’s leadership in STEM, and build mutual understanding across borders.
  • Dialogue and regional exchange for cooperation dialogue_and_exchange unique to this org
    Facilitates dialogue and exchange programs to strengthen regional security, promote mutual understanding, and increase women's participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
  • Gender equity and inclusive economic growth inclusive_economic_growth unique to this org
    Promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth by advancing gender equity, building workforce skills for women and girls, and integrating care economy and climate resilience into policy and practice.
  • Inclusive economic growth through workforce development and policy engagement inclusive_economic_growth unique to this org
    Builds skills for women and girls, supports the care economy, and promotes digital literacy and climate-resilient entrepreneurship to advance equitable and sustainable economic opportunities.
  • Judicial and legal system reform judicial_reform unique to this org
    Strengthens justice systems by working with national institutions such as the Supreme Court to improve the tracking, monitoring, and adjudication of critical cases, including those related to corruption.
  • Judicial reform through institutional strengthening judicial_reform unique to this org
    Works directly with judicial institutions like the Supreme Court to strengthen accountability and transparency by improving systems for tracking, monitoring, and adjudicating corruption cases.
  • Local partnership model for governance and rights local_partnership_model unique to this org
    Implements programs in partnership with local and government entities to improve governance, environmental management, women's rights, and access to justice, particularly in country-specific contexts like Laos.
  • Local partnership model for governance and rights advancement local_partnership_model unique to this org
    Collaborates with local partners and government bodies to improve governance, environmental management, women's rights, and access to justice, particularly in country contexts like Laos.
  • Locally led and owned development solutions locally led and owned solutions unique to this org
    The Asia Foundation relies on long-standing local knowledge, trusted relationships, and locally led initiatives to design and implement effective development programs, ensuring relevance, ownership, and sustainability.
  • Locally led and owned solutions through long-term partnerships locally led and owned solutions unique to this org
    The Asia Foundation relies on its long-standing presence, deep local knowledge, and trusted relationships across Asia to ensure that development programs are locally grounded, culturally appropriate, and sustainably owned. This approach enables adaptive, context-specific solutions that are more likely to succeed and endure.
  • Multi-stakeholder partnership model multi-stakeholder_partnership unique to this org
    Advances development impact by collaborating with government, civil society, academia, and the private sector to align efforts, leverage expertise, and address complex national and regional challenges.
  • Multi-stakeholder partnerships for integrated development impact multi-stakeholder_partnership unique to this org
    The Foundation advances national and regional development by collaborating with government agencies, civil society, academia, and the private sector. These partnerships enable coordinated action on cross-cutting priorities such as governance, justice reform, economic inclusion, and environmental resilience.
  • Partnership-driven program design and innovation partnership-driven program design unique to this org
    Designs and adapts programs in collaboration with diverse institutional partners to ensure responsiveness, innovation, and scalability in dynamic environments.
  • Partnership-driven program design for innovation and adaptability partnership-driven program design unique to this org
    Programs are co-designed and implemented with diverse institutional partners to ensure responsiveness to local contexts, foster innovation, and enhance scalability and sustainability.
  • Research-based decision support research-based decision support unique to this org
    Generates and applies research, data, and analysis to inform policy and programming in rapidly changing and complex development contexts.
  • Research-based decision support for policy influence research-based decision support unique to this org
    Generates and applies research, data, and analysis to inform policymaking and programming in dynamic and complex environments, enhancing evidence-based governance and development outcomes.
  • Triangular cooperation for innovation transfer triangular_cooperation unique to this org
    Leverages regional networks and institutional experience to transfer proven innovations—particularly from India—in agriculture, disaster management, and energy to other developing countries through triangular cooperation.
  • Triangular cooperation to scale regional innovations triangular_cooperation unique to this org
    Leverages regional networks and institutional experience to transfer proven innovations—such as in agriculture, energy, and disaster management—from one developing context to another, enhancing South-South learning and impact.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$101.64M
Contributions & grants$100.98M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$819K1%
Other revenue$-160K
expenses
Total expenses$104.74M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$56.04M
Grants paid out$22.11M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$77.78M
Cash$30.45M
Investments$13.60M
Liabilities$40.38M
Net assets$37.40M
Liquid reserves5.0 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +5.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 14
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DAVID D ARNOLD CEO AND PRESIDENT 38 $528K
SUZANNE E SISKEL EVP, COO 38 $334K
KENNETH M KRUG VP, FINANCE & CFO 38 $324K
JAIME FAUSTINO PROJECT MANAGER 38 $313K
GORDON R HEIN SR VP, PROGRAMS 38 $304K
NANCY YUAN SR VP, WASHINGTON DC 38 $288K
TODD WASSEL COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE 38 $283K
ROGER CRAIG CHIEF HR OFFICER 38 $280K
MELONEY C LINDBERG COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE 38 $278K
AMY H OVALLE VP, GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS 38 $271K
MEGHAN NALBO COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE 38 $265K
THOMAS PARKS IV COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE 38 $262K
WENDY L SOONE-BRODER CHIEF PHILANTROPY OFFICER 38 $239K
MICHELLE RHODD ASSISTANT SECRETARY 38 $126K
board members · 11
  • ADIL NAJAM — TRUSTEE
  • BADRUUN GARDI — TRUSTEE
  • CLARE LOCKHART — TRUSTEE
  • DEANNE WEIR — TRUSTEE
  • DEBRA KNOPMAN — TRUSTEE
  • DUSTIN PALMER — TRUSTEE
  • FRANKLIN LAVIN — TRUSTEE
  • HARRY THOMAS — TRUSTEE
  • HOWARD BERMAN — TRUSTEE
  • IROMI PERERA — TRUSTEE
  • JAMES D MCCOOL — TRUSTEE
relationships · 15

who they work with

  • ASEAN Partner — Collaborated with ASEAN partners at the Care Economy Conference and during the launch of Malaysia’s Care Strategic Framework.
  • DBS Foundation Partner — Partnered to launch the She Can empowerment program for women in West Kalimantan.
  • Government of India Government — Partners with the Government of India on initiatives including inclusive economic growth and international development cooperation.
  • Government of Tanzania Government — Partners with the Government of Tanzania to promote renewable energy development under the TriDeP program.
  • Japanese civil society Partner — Works with Japanese civil society organizations to address domestic and regional challenges.
  • Japanese government Partner — Collaborates with Japanese government partners to address domestic and regional challenges.
  • Japanese private sector Partner — Partners with Japanese private sector entities to address domestic and regional challenges.
  • Kore Global Partner — Partnered with The Asia Foundation on an eight-city qualitative research project examining the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on marginalized groups in five Asian countries, including Laos.
  • Lao Bar Association Partner — Collaborated with The Asia Foundation to establish and operate legal aid offices and clinics in Laos.
  • Lao Ministry of Justice Partner — Partnered with The Asia Foundation to establish and operate legal aid offices and clinics in Laos.
  • Lotus Leadership Awards Coalition — Recognizes individuals and organizations contributing to women's empowerment in Asia and the Pacific.
  • Lotus Leadership Awards Coalition — Recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for contributions toward empowering women in Asia and the Pacific.
  • Supreme Court of Indonesia Partner — Collaborated to develop systems for tracking, monitoring, and adjudicating corruption cases and to create a judicial online data analysis hub.
  • U.S. Government Government — Collaborates with the U.S. Government through the India-U.S. Triangular Development Partnership (TriDeP) to promote regional development.
  • United States Agency for International Development Funder — Provided generous support for the production of the Fiscal Federalism in Myanmar curriculum.