The diverse Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, with origins spanning over 42 countries in Asia and 15 countries in the Pacific, often face the challenge of being homogenized despite their rich cultural tapestry. Compounded by the presence of numerous ethnic groups within each origin country, each with distinct migration histories, understanding the nuanced complexity of these communities and effectively catering to their needs becomes imperative.
In response to this challenge, the Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) collaborating with its technology partner, Blue Raster Inc., are employing the power of GIS technology to shed light on the complexity of the diverse AANHPI communities. Through this collaboration and the dashboard application, we have undertaken a comprehensive exploration of the characteristics of various ethnic groups from East, Southeast, and South Asia, Syria, Yemen, as well as Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, and Hawaii.
The heart of this application lies in its ability to offer a comprehensive directory of Asian American nonprofit organizations across the United States. This invaluable resource retrieved from the IRS database provides a wealth of information about each organization, including its name, type, website, EIN (Employer Identification Number), classification, location by state and address, contact details, year formed, last year filing, income, and assets. This single, centralized platform streamlines access to essential information, making it easier than ever for individuals and entities to engage with and support AAPI nonprofits.
The AAPI Network Application
The AAPI interface was developed with ArcGIS Experience Builder with ArcGIS dashboards embedded into the Experience Builder application to allow users to interact with the data, map and chart functionalities. Additionally, the Blue Raster team utilized ArcGIS Survey123 to configure a feedback form to allow organizations currently not in the network to seamlessly add and map their organizational info into the network inventory. Behind the Survey123 form, Blue Raster also developed an ArcGIS Reviewer Instant App to allow administrators to review and update survey entries. The application was also configured for web and mobile functionality.
Benefits to the Asian American Community
One of the most significant benefits of this dashboard is its capacity to empower users with well-informed choices. Individuals looking to support Asian American nonprofits can now easily identify organizations aligning with their interests and values. Whether it’s civil rights, arts and humanities, religious, healthcare, or other areas, users can make decisions based on their preferences and contribute to causes they are passionate about. This newfound transparency ensures that resources are channeled more effectively towards causes that truly matter. By serving as a hub for the AAPI nonprofit network, this ArcGIS dashboard promotes greater synergy among organizations. Collaboration and networking are essential components of community-building, and this tool simplifies the process.
Organizations can identify potential partners, discover complementary initiatives, and collectively work towards the betterment of the AAPI community. Nonprofits can use this platform to expand their reach, connect with a broader audience, and raise awareness about their missions and initiatives. ArcGIS’s scalability and adaptability means it can be tailored to various needs and industries, from environmental conservation to public health and beyond. Its user-friendly interface ensures that users of all technical backgrounds can access valuable insights, making it a versatile tool that empowers organizations to unlock the full potential of their data.
The integration of GIS mapping has facilitated the identification of the geographic distribution of these ethnic communities. The dynamic dashboard application seamlessly interconnects the collected information, allowing users to apply filters based on state, purpose, and ethnicity. Currently, our initiative has identified over 16,500 nonprofit AANHPI organizations in all 50 states, with approximately 15,000 of them geocoded. Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive dataset, we aspire to expand the AAPI network to include over 20,000 organizations, necessitating continuous data validation and updates in sync with the IRS’s regular data refresh cycles.
Contact us today to learn more about this initiative and how Blue Raster can support your organization
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- ArcGIS Dashboards
- ArcGIS Experience Builder
- ArcGIS Online
- Community
- Culture
- Economic Development
- GIS
- Survey123
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