AACI Named 2026 California Nonprofit Of The Year

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Advancing Health Equity in Santa Clara County

Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) has been selected as a 2026 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, representing District 26, according to a press release.

AACI joins more than one hundred nonprofits being honored by state senators and assemblymembers for outstanding contributions to their local communities.

“At AACI, we believe everyone deserves access to compassionate, culturally responsive care,” said Sarita Kohli, CEO & President of AACI. “This recognition as a California Nonprofit of the Year reinforces the importance of supporting the health and well-being of our diverse community. We are grateful to Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens for this award, and we are proud to continue advancing health equity in Santa Clara County.”

The recognition highlights the organization’s focus on culturally responsive care for diverse populations in the region.

Geoff Green, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), which sponsors the initiative, also extended congratulations.

“We are grateful for the work of AACI and want to extend our congratulations for this well-deserved recognition,” said Green. “Nonprofits are among our country’s most trusted organizations and an integral part of civil society. There’s likely never been a more important time to lift up the contributions nonprofits make within the communities they serve.”

Based in Santa Clara County, AACI has operated for 50 years as a trusted community organization. It serves tens of thousands of individuals annually through integrated health and social service programs. With a multilingual and multicultural workforce operating across several clinics and community sites, the organization provides services particularly critical to the diverse South Asian and broader Asian American diaspora. Its offerings include primary care visits, behavioral health services, survivor support programs, and community outreach initiatives that address clinical needs alongside challenges like housing, food access, and financial stability. Last year, the organization served more than 14,800 patients and clients across San Jose.

The Economic Impact of California Nonprofits

The California Nonprofit of the Year initiative, now in its eleventh year, allows each state legislator to recognize a nonprofit organization within their district. Beyond community service, these organizations represent a major economic force within the state.

According to Causes Count 3.0, a new report soon to be released by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is the third largest employer in California. Approximately 1.5 million Californians work for nonprofit organizations. Together, the state’s 110,000 501c3 public charities generate more than $430 billion in annual revenue.

This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.