Asia Group Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Asia Group Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of The Asia Group, a Washington DC-based advisory and consulting firm founded by former Obama administration senior officials. The firm operates at the intersection of Asia-Pacific public policy and corporate strategy, advising multinationals on navigating the geopolitical and regulatory landscape of the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational context: The Asia Group (theasiagroup.com) is primarily a for-profit consulting firm. The Foundation is its philanthropic vehicle — likely used for policy education events, fellowships, research publications, or convening activities that support the firm's public mission around Asia-Pacific understanding.

Strategic positioning: This is not a traditional open-competition grantmaking foundation. The Foundation's activities likely center on supporting The Asia Group's own programming: convenings of policy experts, research reports on Asia-Pacific affairs, educational initiatives for business and government leaders, and possibly fellowships or internships.

Important note: The website listed (asiasociety.org) appears to be a data entry error — Asia Society and The Asia Group Foundation are entirely separate organizations. Asia Society is a much larger, well-established nonprofit ($100M+), whereas this is a small affiliated foundation of a DC consulting firm.

## Funding Patterns

• Asset base: ~$73,826 (very small foundation)
• Primary activity: Supporting The Asia Group's policy education and research programming
• Grant types: Likely internal (supporting own programming) rather than external competitive grants
• Funding cycle: Not publicly disclosed
• Revenue sources: Contributions from The Asia Group principals, corporate partners, and client organizations with Asia-Pacific interests
• Typical award: Not disclosed; at this asset level, grants would be modest ($5,000–$25,000 range if external)
• IRS filing: No public program descriptions available in foundation database beyond assets and registration
• External grantmaking: Unlikely given small asset base; resources primarily sustain firm-affiliated activities

## Peer Comparison

Assessment: The Asia Group Foundation is micro-scale compared to established Asia policy organizations. Its relevance is niche: for organizations or individuals in The Asia Group's network seeking support for Asia-Pacific policy events or research, not for broad grant applicants.

## Recent Activity

• The Asia Group consulting firm remains active as of early 2026, publishing policy analysis on China, ASEAN, and Indo-Pacific trade and security matters.
• The Foundation's small asset base (~$74K) indicates it is not a major grantmaking entity; primary activity is enabling The Asia Group's convening and education work.
• No public grant announcements or RFPs identified from the Foundation.
• The firm continues to advise Fortune 500 companies and government entities on Asia-Pacific regulatory and geopolitical strategy.

## Application Tips

1. External grantmaking unlikely: At $74K in assets, this foundation does not have the capacity for meaningful external grant programs. Do not invest significant time pursuing this as a funding source.

2. Network access: The most valuable resource The Asia Group Foundation offers is network access — connections to senior Asia-Pacific policy experts, former U.S. government officials, and multinational executives. Pursue relationship-building over grant applications.

3. Relevant profile: Organizations working on Asia-Pacific policy research, U.S.-Asia economic relations, Indo-Pacific security affairs, or corporate governance in Asian markets are the most aligned with this foundation's interests.

4. Contact approach: The Asia Group's DC office (theasiagroup.com) is the appropriate entry point. Reach out regarding partnership opportunities, event co-sponsorships, or research collaborations rather than grant applications.

5. Alternative funders: For Asia-Pacific policy work, consider larger, more active funders: Asia Society Policy Institute, Smith Richardson Foundation, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, or Stanley Foundation — all operate competitive grant programs with substantially larger assets.