SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A new fund supporting leadership in and the visibility of the local Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community was launched on Wednesday.

The San Diego Foundation made the announcement about the fund, which is assisted by a $2.5 million endowment approved by the foundation’s board of governors — who are also matching donations to the fund up to $250,000 annually for the fund’s first five years.

“San Diego Foundation has a vision for just, equitable and resilient communities where every San Diegan has the opportunity to prosper, thrive and feel like they belong,” said Amenah Gulamhusein, the foundation’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives. “Through the AANHPI Fund, we will work with the community to identify areas of need, advance AANHPI leadership and build inter-community connections.”

With the seventh largest AANHPI in the country, the group’s population in San Diego has increased 20% since 2020, according to the San Diego Economic Equity Report. Most of the country’s foreign-born residents will be from Asia by 2030, per the report.

The foundation’s strategic plan focuses on advancing racial and social justice, fostering equity of opportunity, building resilient communities and delivering world-class philanthropy.