CAAL Ignite Invests in 21 Minnesota Asian American Businesses, Entrepreneurs, and Nonprofits

CAAL Ignite, a program of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL), has invested in 21 Minnesota Asian American businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits, aiming to address a significant funding gap in the region. According to the Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) 2025 Twin Cities AANHPI Funding Snapshot, only 13 cents of every $100 in philanthropic funding went to AANHPI communities between 2019 and 2023. This figure is deeply disproportionate to the region’s AANHPI population of 7%, which is significantly lower than the national rate of 0.34%.

ThaoMee Xiong, the Executive Director of CAAL, emphasized the importance of the program.

CAAL Ignite has so far invested in 62 small businesses, 18 emerging entrepreneurs, and 12 nonprofits. One of the beneficiaries is Cynthia Lee, the owner of Dearest Baker Macarons in St. Paul. Lee received a grant that helped her business expand production and reach new customers.

Nicole Dailo Jison, the CAAL Board Chair, highlighted the impact of the program.

The program has been successful in supporting various sectors. For instance, small businesses have seen increased production and market reach, while emerging entrepreneurs have received the necessary funding to launch and grow their ventures. Nonprofits have also benefited, allowing them to expand their services and impact within the community.

CAAL, founded in 2013, is a cross-sector network of Asian American leaders working to advance equity, justice, and prosperity for Minnesota’s Asian American community. Through advocacy, leadership development, narrative change, and direct investment, CAAL builds power with and for those most often excluded from institutional decision-making.