OUR WORK

As of 2023, the Southpole Foundation has awarded $4.3 million in grants to community-based organizations and community colleges in New York and New Jersey

OUR VALUES

COMMUNITY

LEADERSHIP

IMPACT

CULTURE OF GIVING

WHAT WE FUND

COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS

In 2022 and 2023, the Foundation awarded grants to nonprofits providing community services to underserved populations including individuals with disabilities, new Americans, children, aging seniors and families. Grants provided to:

  • Mil-Al

  • Rainbow Center

  • Asian Women Christian Association (AWCA)

  • Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC)

  • Bergen Family Center

  • Flushing YMCA-New Americans Center

  • Holy Name Medical Center Foundation

  • 12 Plus

  • Family Touch

  • Englewood Hospital

  • Community Inclusion & Development Alliance (CIDA)

  • St. Francis Hospital Foundation

  • Korean American Association of Greater NY (KAAGNY)

  • Englewood Hospital

  • Give Chances

  • Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) - Healthy aging project

  • Bergen New Bridge Medical Center-Korean Long Term Care

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

As of 2023, the Foundation has awarded scholarships to 971 under-resourced students at the selected community colleges in New York and New Jersey. In 2023, the students at the following eight community colleges were benefited from our scholarship program:

  • Bergen Community College

  • Hudson County Community College

  • Union County College

  • Middlesex County Community College

  • Kingsborough Community College

  • LaGuardia Community College

  • Queensborough Community College

  • Borough of Manhattan Community College

PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

The foundation partners with healthcare providers, medical associates, and social working networks to educate and provide physical and mental health check-ups and consultations to under-resourced communities in New York and New Jersey. In 2022 and 2023, the Foundation made donations to the following healthcare partners:

  • Holy Name Medical Center Foundation

  • Englewood Hospital

  • St. Francis Hospital Foundation

HEALTHY AGING

The Foundation partnered with the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF), Judith Ehm Foundation, and Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco to commission a survey on the issues and needs of the senior Korean American population in New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Washington DC, and Georgia. As one of the first studies that focuses specifically on the needs of Korean American seniors, this survey will provide insights and guidance on how to best serve our aging population. The research report can be accessed here:

https://www.aafederation.org/toward-better-aging/

In 2023, the Foundation made grants to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center to support the Korean Long Term Care unit for its education and recreational program.

LEADERSHIP

The Foundation recognizes the importance of human capital and talent development in serving our community. The Foundation invests in and supports the next generation of leaders in the nonprofit ecosystem and enables networking within the impact community.

In addition, the Foundation is a thought leader in identifying critical issues impacting the community and partners with other organizations to address them.

CASE STUDIES: IMPACT IN ACTION

  • As the very first project of the Foundation, in 2004, the Foundation partnered with the Korean Central Daily News “중앙일보” to co-host an essay contest of Korean American Immigrants stories. The contest awarded stories were published in an essay book titled “우리가 행복해질 때까지” in an effort to document and share our stories with other Korean-Americans.

  • The Foundation partnered with the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF), Judith Ehm Foundation, and the Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco to commission a survey on the issues and needs of the senior Korean American population. As one of the first studies that focuses specifically on the needs of Korean American seniors, this survey will provide insights and guidance on how to best serve our aging population.

  • The Foundation has awarded scholarships to under-resourced students including new Americans and first generation students at the selected community colleges. Students pursue diverse careers that enable upward economic mobility, including in the culinary arts, nursing, and healthcare management.