Washington, DC (February 6, 2026) — The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) proudly announces the award of $1 million in federal Community Project Funding to support the continued development of a Filipino American Community Center in New York City, marking a historic milestone for the Filipino American community.
The funding, included in the federal appropriations bill by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and signed into law by the President on February 3, 2026, builds on prior federal investments secured by NaFFAA NY and represents a significant step toward establishing a permanent, multicultural, and multipurpose space dedicated to leadership development, civic engagement, cultural programming, and community services. Once realized, the center will serve as a hub not only for Filipino Americans, but also for the diverse communities that call New York City home.
“This funding is a major step forward in ensuring the Filipino American community has a place to gather, organize, and access vital resources,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. “Filipino Americans have made enormous contributions to New York and our nation, and this investment helps ensure their voices, culture, and leadership continue to thrive. I am proud to support this effort and to stand with NaFFAA as they move this important project forward.”
The grant will support planning and development efforts toward a centralized community space that brings together educational, cultural, and social services that are currently spread across multiple organizations, strengthening coordination, access, and long-term impact.
“We are grateful to Senator Schumer for his advocacy to ensure the Filipino community is not overlooked. This $1 million investment in capital funding brings us closer to building a shared community space where our families, seniors, youth, and Little Manila neighbors can thrive,” said Rachelle Ocampo, President of NaFFAA NY.
NaFFAA national leadership emphasized that the award reflects years of sustained advocacy, coalition-building, and community-driven leadership.
“MABUHAY, NaFFAA NY led by the dynamic Rachelle Ocampo – for this significant recognition of the FilAm community in New York. $1 million for the Renovation and Expansion of The NaFFAA Community Center will provide stimulus for better relationships among the diverse communities of FilAms in NYC,” said Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis, NaFFAA Co-Founder.
“This investment is about more than a building – it is about visibility, belonging, and long-term empowerment,” said NaFFAA President Ryan Namata. “The Filipino American Community Center represents a permanent home for leadership development, civic participation, cultural preservation, and intergenerational connection. This milestone brings us closer to a future where our community’s contributions are fully recognized and supported.”
NaFFAA also expressed its appreciation to Tandeep Sawhney, a staff member in Senator Chuck Schumer’s office, and the Senator’s team for their continued support and advocacy in ensuring the Filipino American community is represented in federal investments.
Steven Raga, the first Filipino American State Assemblymember in New York and former NaFFAA New York State Chair and NaFFAA National board member, also thanked Senator Schumer for his partnership and support of the project.
“Queens is home to one of the largest Filipino American communities on the East Coast, and this $1 million federal award is a meaningful step toward ensuring our community, and our neighbors of every background, have the shared infrastructure we deserve,” said New York Assemblymember Steven Raga, District 30. “I am proud our office worked alongside Senator Schumer and NaFFAA-New York to help advance this project, which will bring New York City closer to a permanent, multicultural community center where families can gather, organizations can collaborate, and residents can access culturally competent services under one roof. This is how we move from visibility to real investment, with a hub that strengthens leadership development, civic engagement, and community care for generations. I am grateful for Senator Schumer’s leadership, and I look forward to continuing to work with NaFFAA and partners at every level of government to secure the additional resources needed to fully deliver on this vision.”
This award builds on the momentum of NaFFAA New York’s previously secured $1.66 million federal HUD grant from U.S. Representative Grace Meng (6th Congressional District of New York), reinforcing a long-term vision to establish a permanent home for Filipino American organizing, services, and cultural expression in New York City.
“I am so proud to have secured more than $1.6 million for NaFFAA to purchase a community center in Woodside, and I’m thrilled to see the project moving closer to becoming a reality,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng. “A community center is needed for our vibrant Filipino American community in Queens, and it will go a long way towards providing important resources and services for local Filipino Americans. I look forward to the project continuing to move forward.”
As planning moves forward, NaFFAA will continue to engage community members, partners, and stakeholders to ensure the center reflects the needs, aspirations, and diversity of the communities it will serve. NaFFAA National will also identify and pursue opportunities to develop similar community centers projects in cities with large Filipino American populations across the country.
“This project represents the Filipino spirit of bayanihan and community unity,” said NaFFAA National Executive Director Joshua Ang Price. “This historic federal investment strengthens NaFFAA’s commitment to securing additional grants and philanthropic support, and to building strong partnerships with local businesses, mission-aligned investors, and community leaders to turn this vision into reality. We also plan to replicate the successful model NaFFAA NY has established to build more cultural centers like this in Filipino American communities all across the nation.”
For inquiries, contact:
Mark Eyo, Communications Lead
mark.eyo@naffaa.org
Since 1997, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) has been the standard-bearer for promoting the welfare and well-being of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. NaFFAA is the largest non-partisan, non-profit organization and national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, umbrella organizations, and individuals. Its fourteen-member regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands.
