Coalition of Asian American Leaders - CAAL

Coalition of Asian American Leaders - CAAL CAAL is a network of leaders with a mission to harness our collective power to improve the lives of community by connecting, learning, and acting together.

The Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) harnesses our collective power to improve the lives of community by connecting, learning and acting together.

Hey Minnesota! Our primary election is almost here, and this is your reminder to make a plan to vote by this Tuesday, Au...
08/07/2026

Hey Minnesota! Our primary election is almost here, and this is your reminder to make a plan to vote by this Tuesday, August 11, 2026 đź“Ł

Primary elections help shape who moves forward and who represents our communities on the ballot.

Take a few minutes to review your ballot, learn about the candidates, and check your voting options.

Find your polling place and see who’s on your ballot here: http://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov

Please like, repost, and share with family and friends!

⏰ Last chance to apply!The deadline for CAAL Ignite applications is TODAY, July 13 at 4pm CST.If you’re an emerging entr...
07/13/2026

⏰ Last chance to apply!

The deadline for CAAL Ignite applications is TODAY, July 13 at 4pm CST.

If you’re an emerging entrepreneur, small business, or nonprofit serving Minnesota’s Asian American community, this is your final opportunity to apply for funding that can help bring your vision to life.

CAAL Ignite has already invested $525,000+ into community-driven ideas. Yours could be next.

Apply today before the deadline: https://caalmn.org/caal-ignite/

Applications for CAAL Ignite close Monday, July 13 at 4:00 PM CST.If you’re an emerging entrepreneur, small business, or...
07/11/2026

Applications for CAAL Ignite close Monday, July 13 at 4:00 PM CST.

If you’re an emerging entrepreneur, small business, or nonprofit in Minnesota with an idea that will strengthen our communities, this is your opportunity to turn that vision into action.

Through CAAL Ignite, we’ve invested more than $525,000 into community-driven projects across Minnesota.

Emerging entrepreneurs can apply for up to $5,000, and small businesses and nonprofits can apply for up to $15,000.

Don’t wait until the last minute—submit your application today.

đź”— Apply now: https://caal.grantplatform.com

07/10/2026

“I never thought I was going to get the CAAL Ignite grant... and I got it.”

For Samantha Lee SAMANTHA LEE | Fitness & Nutrition Coach for Women of Color , the CAAL Ignite grant wasn’t just funding...it was visibility, community, and the confidence to dream bigger.

As a fitness trainer and nutrition coach, Samantha is helping Asian American women reclaim their health without giving up the foods and cultures they love.

Through coaching more than 100 clients and hosting her first large-scale community event, Reclaim Our Plate, she’s creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to prioritize themselves.

Samantha reminds us that when we invest in ourselves, the impact reaches our families, our workplaces, and our communities.

If you’re an entrepreneur, small business, or nonprofit with an idea that could strengthen Minnesota’s Asian American community, this is your sign to apply.

đź’ˇ Emerging entrepreneurs: Grants up to $5,000
🚀 Small businesses & nonprofits: Grants up to $15,000
đź“… Applications close July 13

Apply now: https://caal.grantplatform.com

07/08/2026

Health insurance can be confusing, overwhelming, and expensive, especially for seniors and families navigating Medicare, Medicaid, MNsure, or Marketplace plans.

For Minnie Vue of Ideal Health Advisors, education is at the heart of her work.

With support from CAAL Ignite, Minnie has been able to host more workshops, booth at community events, send 500 mailers and reach more people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health and future.

In just two and a half years, Minnie grew from serving 9 clients to more than 800 and building trust by showing up, answering questions, and helping community members understand their options.

Her advice to future CAAL Ignite applicants?

“Don’t wait until everything is perfect before applying. If you have a plan or you’re wanting to solve situations in your community, just go and apply.”

Applications for CAAL Ignite are open now through July 13. Apply today: http://caal.grantplatform.com

06/30/2026

Vietnamese coffee is more than condensed milk. It’s beans sourced from Vietnam, roasted with care, and rooted in culture, history, and community.

For Jenny, owner of Caphin Minneapolis, CAAL Ignite helped make expansion possible, from opening a second cafe to growing 1157, their line of Vietnamese coffee beans imported from Vietnam and roasted weekly here in Minneapolis.

This is what CAAL Ignite is all about: investing in Asian Minnesotan entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofit leaders who are building economic opportunity and creating lasting impact.

Applications are open now until July 13!

Apply at http://caal.grantplatform.com

We’re proud to be a sponsor of the 2026 Asian American Journalists Association Convention right here in Minneapolis, Min...
06/26/2026

We’re proud to be a sponsor of the 2026 Asian American Journalists Association Convention right here in Minneapolis, Minnesota 🎉

This week AAJA Official brings together journalists, storytellers, and media leaders from across the country who are shaping more accurate, inclusive, and representative narratives about our communities.

We’re especially proud that our Executive & Network & Director, ThaoMee Xiong, joined the conversation as a panel speaker, sharing insights on leadership, community, and the importance of investing in Asian American voices.

Thank you to everyone making this incredible gathering possible. We’re honored to support the work of journalists who help tell our stories with authenticity, nuance, and care.

CAAL’s Executive and Network Director ThaoMee Xiong joined community leaders for the National Asian Pacific American Mus...
06/25/2026

CAAL’s Executive and Network Director ThaoMee Xiong joined community leaders for the National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission’s St. Paul–Minneapolis Regional Convening and Listening Session. CAAL is proud to be a co-sponsor of this event.

A national Asian American museum is more than a building. It is a platform to tell the full story of our communities: our histories, resilience, leadership, creativity, and contributions to this country.

Minnesota has an important perspective to add. Of the estimated 330,000 Asian Minnesotans, nearly 60% are Southeast Asian, representing some of the newest Asian American communities in the U.S.

Our stories of migration, displacement, rebuilding, belonging, and community power must be part of the national narrative.

Thank you to Commissioners Dennis Cheng and Tina Wei Smith, the National APA Museum Commission, and all the local partners who helped create space for Asian Minnesotans to share what our history means — and why it matters.

06/24/2026

Inclusive beauty is more than a service — it’s a space where people feel truly seen.

Meet Laura Boller, owner and founder of Laura B | MN Wedding Hairstylist & Makeup Artist, a beauty and creative collective specializing in multicultural weddings and inclusive beauty.

After receiving a CAAL Ignite grant, Laura was able to take a major step in her business journey: becoming fully self-employed, elevating her brand, expanding her team, and continuing to meet a real need in Minnesota’s wedding industry.

Last year, more than half of Ara Bee Collective’s weddings were multicultural. This year, that number is growing with 65% of their weddings celebrating multicultural love, beauty, and community.

CAAL Ignite exists to support community-rooted ideas like Laura’s: businesses, nonprofits, and emerging entrepreneurs creating economic opportunity and lasting impact for Minnesota’s Asian American community.

Applications are now open! Emerging entrepreneurs can apply for grants up to $5,000, and small businesses and nonprofits can apply for grants up to $15,000.

Apply now: https://caal.grantplatform.com

Address

941 Lafond Avenue, Ste 205
Saint Paul, MN
55104

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(651) 756-7210

Website

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