WASHINGTON–The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) today released a groundbreaking Pulse Survey capturing the real-time impact of recent federal actions on community-based organizations (CBOs) serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Conducted between May and June 2025, the survey offers a sobering snapshot of how political shifts and funding cuts are straining frontline nonprofits across the country.

Among the key findings:

• Three out of four organizations reported widespread fear, anxiety, and low morale.

• More than one-third have already lost federal funding.

• Nearly 30% changed their public messaging in response to national policy shifts.

• 90% anticipate increased demand for services even as resources dwindle.

The Pulse Survey supplements APIAHF’s annual National Survey of Community-Based Organizations survey, offering an urgent update amid a dramatically changing federal environment.

“The Pulse Survey makes clear what many of us already feared—our AANHPI-serving organizations are being asked to do more with less, while the ground shifts beneath them,” said Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO of APIAHF. “Many of these CBOs are the only culturally and linguistically responsive providers in their communities. If we lose them, we lose the infrastructure that makes health access and civil rights real for our people.”

More than 90 organizations across the U.S. participated in the survey, reflecting a broad cross-section of community health, advocacy, and social service providers. The results highlight not only operational impacts like program cuts and staff layoffs, but also growing fears around discrimination, deportation, and access to basic needs among AANHPI populations.

APIAHF is calling on federal agencies, elected officials, philanthropic partners, and the broader civil society to intervene before irreversible harm is done to the community-based organizations that have long been a lifeline for vulnerable communities.

The Pulse Survey can be viewed here.

# # #

Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice.