About Us
Rooted in Heritage. Driven by Action.
NaFFAA New York is a regional chapter of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, the largest national affiliation of Filipino American institutions and individuals. In New York, our chapter acts as a vital bridge—connecting diverse neighborhoods, generations, and sectors to amplify the Fil-Am presence throughout the state.
Since 1997…
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. At the time of NaFFAA’s inception, there were just over 2.5 million Filipinos and Filipino Americans. Founding members of the organization had the foresight to visualize and organize our growing power and voice into the next millennium.
Now with over 4.2 million Filipinos across the United States and the second-largest Asian American group, NaFFAA is the largest non-partisan, non-profit organization, and national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, umbrella organizations, and individuals. Its fifteen-member regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands.
What We Do
Advocate
We bring community issues to local and state policymakers.
Connect
We host networking events, panel discussions, and social gatherings.
Educate
We offer workshops, voter guides, and cultural education programs.
Civic Engagement & Democracy
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We are advancing new culture of civic engagement for Filipinos and Filipino Americans. By driving our communities to the voting booth, we are ensuring that the lived experiences of our people are heard and accounted for.
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We believe in civic and social transparency, where communities are informed about the public process, such as how a bill becomes a law, the process of public budgeting, the process of voting and election cycles, how to receive government benefits and engage with public programs, and much more. Our workshops will educate our communities about the public process and public programs.
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We believe in civic and social transparency, where communities are informed about the public process, such as how a bill becomes a law, the process of public budgeting, the process of voting and election cycles, how to receive government benefits and engage with public programs, and much more. Our workshops will educate our communities about the public process and public programs.
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Whether you are a local community leader, a grassroots organizer, a board member of your community based organization, or aspiring to take the next steps in civic and public leadership, we are committed to developing informed and effective leaders centered on the Filipino and Filipino American experience.
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Every decade, New York undergoes a redistricting process that will determine fiscal and pubic policy, resource allocation, electoral/voting districts, and even who your elected officials will be. We are omitted to fighting for the interests of Filipinos and Filipino Americans by protecting communities such as Little Manilla and fighting demographic plurality districts.
We understand that both historic and inherent barriers such as exclusionary legislation, socioeconomic immobility, fiscal divestments, and a lack of education in the public process have excluded and prevented our communities from building true power in society.
Culture & Community Collaboration
Some of our events include…
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Rooted in the Filipino spirit of bayanihan (communal unity), the annual Little Manila Community Cleanup brings together NaFFAA NY, the Office of Assemblymember Steven Raga, Woodside on the Move, the Woodside Neighborhood Association, and the Filipino Googler Network to beautify Woodside, Queens. Together, volunteers restore major thoroughfares like Roosevelt Avenue and 69th Street while transforming the event into a dynamic resource hub. Alongside street sweeping and graffiti removal, the coalition connects local families directly to essential services—offering free health screenings, mental health resources, civic assistance, and local tenant support, all wrapped up with a shared community merienda to foster lasting neighborhood connection.
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Organized by NaFFAA in partnership with Madison Square Garden, the annual Filipino American Heritage Night with the New York Knicks brings thousands of fans together at the "World’s Most Famous Arena" to celebrate culture, community, and representation. The landmark event highlights the vibrant contributions of the tri-state area’s 200,000-strong Filipino community through cultural pre-game panels, honors for local leaders and creatives, and live in-game performances. Supported by civic partners like the Office of Assemblymember Steven Raga and the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the night blends top-tier NBA action with deep cultural pride—amplifying Filipino visibility on one of the world's largest stages.
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Held along Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the Philippine Independence Day Parade is the largest celebration of Filipino culture outside the Philippines, drawing over 100,000 spectators each June. Spearheaded by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General, community leaders, and coalition partners, the landmark event transforms Manhattan with a grand parade of vibrant floats, marching contingents, and regional cultural groups. The celebration extends into a massive street fair and cultural festival featuring traditional music, folk dances, and local food vendors—bringing together generations of Filipino Americans to honor heritage, solidarity, and civic pride on a global stage.
As our diverse community continues to grow, we must drive a transformative culture that is rooted by social, professional, and cultural collaboration that is defined by intergenerational dialogue, community healing, and lasting impact.
Public Policy & Advocacy
We are a proud partner, member, and collaborator of the following campaigns and coalitions:
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A non-partisan civic engagement coalition in New York that works to increase voter turnout, expand language access at the polls, and mobilize historically underrepresented Asian Pacific American communities through non-partisan voter education and outreach.
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A pan-Asian leadership and advocacy organization representing a network of over 70 member agencies in New York, driving community impact through policy research, mental health support, safety initiatives, and economic empowerment.
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The nation’s only pan-Asian children and families’ advocacy group, uniting community organizations and youth to fight for equity in education, healthcare, and social services for marginalized AAPI communities.
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A New York statewide advocacy coalition led by organizations like CACF that fights for equitable state-level funding and targeted government investments for AAPI-led and AAPI-serving community organizations.
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A collaborative advocacy initiative aimed at advancing health equity and access, removing systemic barriers to healthcare, and expanding culturally and linguistically appropriate health resources for AAPI communities.
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A budget equity campaign spearheaded by CACF and over 90 partner organizations demanding that New York City and State budgets fairly fund AAPI-serving organizations, reflecting the fact that AAPIs make up around 18% of the NYC population yet remain historically underfunded.
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A civic engagement and mobilization collective led by the Asian American Federation that builds long-term political power, voter turnout, and community leadership across all five boroughs of New York City.
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A community-led civic initiative dedicated to establishing a cultural landmark and co-naming a prominent street/intersection in Woodside, Queens—such as Dr. José Rizal Way—to honor Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal and celebrate the vibrant Filipino diaspora in Little Manila.
To shift power back into the hands of the people and uplift the most marginalized Filipinos and Filipino Americans, we must be active in shaping public policies that lay the foundations and opportunities for equity that will root mobility, higher quality of life, and critical investments to positively transform the lives of our people.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Whether you want to volunteer, join a committee, attend events, or partner with us—there's a place for you in our bayanihan movement.