AANHPI Civic Engagement Post-Callais Decision

Monday, June 15, 2026 | 10:00–11:00 am PT / 1:00–2:00 pm ET | Webinar

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The recent SCOTUS decision in Louisiana v. Callais removing protections afforded by Section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA) strikes a devastating blow to communities of color and other underrepresented groups, particularly in Southern states. The loss of these protections will allow Southern states to redraw maps ahead of the 2026 elections, threatening representation at the congressional level.

Vibrant Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities reside in the South, and have played a critical role in shifting seats in swing states. The decision allows the implementation of maps that may dilute the voting power of minority communities, including AANHPI communities.

This consequential decision requires civil rights organizations and advocates to rapidly scale up urgent communications, education, and organizing efforts. The sheer scale of work needed to ensure communities of color are not disenfranchised by the loss of these protections is massive.

While there are some institutional funders who have been ardent supporters of civil rights and civic engagement work, the call for the philanthropic sector to invest in our democracy and community-based organizations has never been more urgent.

This funder briefing will provide a legal analysis of the SCOTUS decision, the immediate needs that AANHPI civil rights and civic engagement organizations are seeing firsthand, and the critical role institutional philanthropy must play to protect the democracy we all live in.

Join us for:

• Legal Analysis: What the Callais ruling changed, what it means for future Section 2 litigation, and the strategic outlook for civil rights organizations responding now. – John C. Yang, Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC
• National Community Analysis: Where AANHPI communities are most exposed, what trends are emerging across the country, and how to prioritize philanthropic response. – Christine Chen, Executive Director, APIA Vote
• State-Level Analysis: On-the-ground needs in Georgia and the Southeast, and what long-term commitment to this work looks like in practice. – Ashna Khanna, Executive Director, Asian American Advocacy Fund
• Philanthropic Strategy: Where institutional philanthropy can direct rapid-response support, and the case for sustained civic engagement investment. – Quanita Toffie, Co-Executive Director, AAPI Civic Engagement Fund
• Call to Action: Specific, named funding opportunities for funders ready to move, presented by AAPIP.

This briefing is designed for program officers and directors managing democracy, civic engagement, or racial justice portfolios; foundation CEOs and trustees; and philanthropy-infrastructure staff.