Immigrant Nonprofit Organizations in U.S. Metropolitan Areas

Abstract

This article provides an overview of existing immigrant nonprofits formed and maintained by Asian-American or Hispanic-Latino community leaders in the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Although some of these organizations date back to the 1940s, the majority of them were formed in the last three decades in a more open and accommodating society. For both of these immigrant groups, organizing to form and maintain religious organizations started early and continued to significantly affect the respective community. While Asian-American communities tend to focus on maintaining their heritage by forming numerous cultural organizations, the larger Hispanic-Latino population started early to form service agencies—aided possibly by alternative means to maintain cultural identity. Immigrant religious organizations tend to be older and located in suburban middle-class communities with a diverse ethnic population. Immigrant secular organizations are generally younger, located in central city communities with a more homogeneous ethnic population. Older immigrant nonprofits also tend to be financially stronger and more stable.