Supported Causes While the participants supported a variety of specific organizations, there were clear trends in the issues and causes which may offer guidance for engaging these donors. Participants shared a strong vision of working to affect the life course and health of future generations. The following are the issues most cited by donors in this study. ■ Education. Education was by far the most frequently mentioned issue. Across ages, generations and gender, education was seen as foundational for their success, and supporting educational institutions was considered essential for ensuring its availability to others. Most donors supported the college or university they attended, both through active participation in leadership and by providing resources such as scholarships and funding for programs and facilities. Funding business school activities and infrastructure was popular because they are seen as creating the next generations of entrepreneurs, business leaders and, eventually, philanthropists. Cultural Access & Civic Engagement. Supporting cultural organizations and activities — particularly, but not exclusively, those focused on the Chinese American and Asian American communities — was important to many of the donors. Such contributions are seen as ensuring that Chinese American cultural heritage and history are preserved and made available to both the Chinese and larger community. Popular causes included the Asian Art Museum, the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, and Chinese cultural exhibitions and installations. Supporting Bay Area public arts and recreation, such as the ballet, symphony, zoo, museums, local landmarks and national parks, as well as religious entities, environmental groups and civic organizations were important avenues by which donors could affect the quality of life for both the Chinese American and the general population. Workforce and Leadership Development. Seen as an investment in the future by the donors, these programs offer opportunities to the next generations so they can advance themselves and help others. Philanthropy in this area often involves active engagement on the part of donors, some of whom provide direct leadership training and motivation through established programs. In the process, donors seek to inspire and activate the next generations of philanthropists by acting as role models and by laying the groundwork for the personal and professional networks that can be a foundation for their future engagement. Specific leadership development activities mentioned by participants include women’s empowerment initiatives and leadership training for students. Asian American Services. Many participants cited support for health, housing, community development and other human services specifically benefiting Asian American communities. Supporting social services targeting the community at large was not common. Rather, many cited the continuing need for such services for Chinese American and other Asian American communities and a sense of obligation to support them. ■ ■ ■ “ There was a trend in the donors’ responses that suggests that Asian American specific causes have continuing resonance for individuals regardless of how long their families have been in the U.S., and that the more recently one has arrived, the more specific and exclusive the focus on those causes may be. Conversely, the longer individuals have been in the U.S., the more likely they are to provide support for both Chinese American community and larger community issues. However, there were individuals who were relatively new to the U.S. who were providing support to both, so while a trend is evident, it is not definitive. Participants shared a strong vision of working to affect the life course and health of future generations. ” 9 8 SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION