Dear ~FirstName~,

Season’s Greetings from America’s Opportunity Fund!

As we take the time to celebrate the meaning of the Holiday season and reflect upon this past year, we wanted to give thanks to all of you who have donated and supported our programs. You’ve helped AOF to strengthen our mission to increase the number of elected officials who represent the needs of communities of color, increase voter visibility and participation to support those endorsed candidates.

This past year, we continued to host our signature 2-day Candidate Trainings where attendees learned about various elements of a campaign including: targeting voters, polling, message development, fundraising, voter contact, getting out the vote, and new media.

We also launched two new programs – our “In the Dome” speaker series, which was kicked off with Rep. Karen Bass speaking about being freshman in Congress and our “Arts and Activism” discussion that was live-cast with actress Tamlyn Tomita and singer Maria Aragon.

AOF Leadership Advisor, Vida Benavides, spoke at the Center for American Progress about AAPI voters in the electorate.  In addition, AOF Finance Advisor, Madalene Mielke spoke at a political networking event co-hosted by AOF and the Asian American Action Group, New Latino Movement, Democratic GAIN and Young & Powerful for Obama.

AOF also hosted Chairman Norm Mineta’s 80th Birthday celebration this November. President Clinton sent a video birthday greetingacknowledging Norm’s legacy through AOF’s work stating, “It’s very fitting that Norm is being honored tonight by America’s Opportunity Fund which in a short time has done so much to support communities of color and to inspire civic engagement". House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senator Daniel Inouye also shared birthday wishes along with family and friends present. 

This past year, the US Census numbers were revealed and show the Asian American populations growing faster than any other minority group in the country.  55% (roughly 4 million) of AAPI voting-age citizens were registered to vote in 2008. Research indicates that once registered, 86% of AAPIs will turn out to vote – representing a large potential for engagement.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are also demonstrating leadership growth with recent victories of prominent AAPI leaders winning local races like Ed Lee, the first Chinese-American Mayor of San Francisco; Aney Paul, the first Asian American woman elected to Rockland County (NY) Legislature; and Rolando Lavarro, AOF Candidate Training Alumni, to Jersey City (NJ) Council. An unprecedented number of AAPIs throughout the country have also announced to run for federal seats in 2012.  Our political momentum will continue to increase and with your help, AOF will be in the position to support several candidates throughout the country and advance voter turn out. 

AOF anticipates a new year of increased political activism and we are very excited of the programs that will enable us to support progressive candidates through financial support, field and media.  We look forward to your continued involvement. 

From our AOF family to yours, we wish you Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the
New Year!