On July 30, 1975, Korean Center, Inc. was officially incorporated in San Francisco. What started as the Multi-Services Center for Koreans has become a vibrant home for Korean culture, education, and community connection—open to all. 50 years later, KCI continues to serve thousands every year with Korean language programs, Chuseok festival, youth development programs, and hands-on cultural workshops.
Your contribution today will ensure that KCI remains a safe, thriving hub for cultural exploration and community connection. Together, we can preserve Korean heritage, empower youth, and continue to make KCI a cornerstone of the Bay Area for the next 50 years and beyond.
Support Empowering KCI’s Future
Korean Center, Inc. (KCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is secure and tax-deductible. Every dollar helps protect KCI and uplift the next generation of Korean American leaders.
How Your Support Will Make a Difference
Your donation will help us secure KCI’s future and ensure we can continue offering the programs that make KCI a vital resource for the community in a safe and welcoming space. Your contributions will allow us to:
1. Security Upgrades:
- Rebuilding the front and side gates that is most vulnerable
- Installing additional security cameras
- Replacing stolen assets
2. Cultural Programs & Youth Initiatives:
Your support will help us expand and sustain essential programs, including:
- Launching youth and teen-focused programs by fostering relationships with educators and mentors
- Providing program materials, such as textbooks, learning tools, and leadership resources
- Covering event production costs, including supplies, materials, venue rental, and logistics for higher-quality community events and workshops
- Offering Instructor stipends for leading cultural classes that engage the community and preserve Korean heritage
3. Staff Support
With a small but dedicated team, your donation will help KCI continue to operate smoothly by supporting:
- Staff, ensuring KCI maintains the necessary leadership to manage and grow our programs
- Operational costs related to program development, outreach, and community engagement
KCI Today: A Look at 2024 and Beyond
In 2024, KCI continued to flourish, reaching new heights with our programs and community initiatives. Here’s a look at some of the year’s highlights:
- Korean Language Program: With over 547 students enrolled and 67 classes offered, we saw a 43.2% increase in enrollment. Our partnership with the King Sejong Institute has helped elevate the program’s impact, providing high-quality instruction and expanding opportunities for learners of all levels.
- Youth Programs: We relaunched our Youth Korean Language Program(YKLP) and Teen Summit, empowering young learners and future leaders. The Teen Summit held in partnership with the Asian Art Museum, brought together young leaders for a day of cultural pride and leadership development.
- Cultural Events: We hosted 10 diverse cultural events and workshops, including Seollal(Lunar New Year) Celebration, Hangul Day Calligraphy Celebration, Bojagi, Minhwa, Kimchi making, and Floral Arrangement workshops, fostering cultural understanding, and offering hands-on experiences.
- Chuseok Festival: Our annual Chuseok Festival attracted over 12,000 attendees, featuring 30 food vendors, 11 makers, 11 nonprofit organizations, 8 performers, and over 150 volunteers, highlighting the richness of Korean culture and fostering connections within the community.
These accomplishments represent just a fraction of what KCI has achieved in 2024, thanks to the support of our donors, volunteers, and community members!
KCI Before: Foundations of Growth and Community
For 50 years, Korean Center, Inc. (KCI) has been a cornerstone of the San Francisco Bay Area community, a place where people come together to learn, connect, and celebrate Korean culture. But our story didn’t start in a large building with cultural events. It started in 1974, when a group of dedicated community leaders saw the urgent need to support the newly arrived Korean immigrants, and founded the Korean Advisory Council (KAC) to support the integration of Korean immigrants into American society.
The need for support quickly expanded, and in 1975 the organization was formally incorporated as the Multi-Service Center for Koreans (MSCA). The MSCK’s mission was focused on providing essential immigrant support services, including language training, job placement, and cultural guidance. These early efforts paved the way for the robust programs KCI offers today, from youth education to cultural workshops and community festivals, including our Annual Bay Area Chuseok Festival.
By 1984, after years of serving the community, KCI achieved a major milestone—the purchase of our own building—a space that allowed us to grow our programs and better serve the increasing number of community members who relied on us. This was a pivotal moment in KCI’s history, providing a permanent home where our community could gather, learn, and celebrate together.
In 1989, as the Korean community continued to grow, KCI rebranded itself to reflect its expanding mission: serving not only the Korean community but also all those interested in Korean culture. This shift marked a new era for KCI, where we began offering programs that foster cross-cultural understanding and bridging diverse communities.
ONLINE DONOR WALL
Lisa Boren
Andrew Wallacker
Jaeheon Yi
Michael Kaiser
