Hana Center
The HANA Center is a Chicago-based group that provides social services and welfare to Korean Americans as well as other Asian Americans and “multiethnic immigrant communities.” 1 It also engages in human rights advocacy 2 and aims to “build power toward systemic change.” 3 The HANA Center claims to be among the “the few Asian American organizations in greater Chicago that organizes and empowers community members to advocate for immigrant justice.” 4
Contents
Background
The HANA Center was established in February 2017. As of 2025, it was claiming to serve 11,000 people yearly and to have engaged 35,000 Korean and other Asian Americans in community organizing campaigns since its founding. 5 3
The group offers classes in English and Korean, one-on-one English tutoring, citizenship classes, and classes on using smartphones and computers. 6
As of 2025, the HANA Center listed a hotline on its landing page to report sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. 2
Advocacy
In 2025, the HANA Center’s campaigns included support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA), “more inclusive” health care, a graduated-rate income tax system in Illinois, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), and the expansion of financial aid and educational scholarships. 4 In 2020, the group advocated for an “equitable” state tax, which it claimed would allow 97 percent of taxpayers to pay less than or the same as in past years. 4
The HANA Center was among 193 groups that signed a letter in 2024, imploring the Biden administration to release all immigrants from detention, halt expansion efforts and close the facilities. 7
The group is a member of several coalitions, including the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and Responsible Budget Coalition. 4
Services Provided
The HANA Center provides case management (including immigration support, legal advocacy and mental assistance enrolling in public benefits), individual counseling, domestic violence counseling and advocacy and crime victim support. 8
The group claims to connect Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)-certified counselors with low- and medium-income households to assist them with affordable housing. 9 These services include budgeting and financial management, homeless counseling, foreclosure prevention, and both pre- and post-purchase services, meaning homebuyer counseling and counseling on maintenance, refinancing and property tax exemptions. 9 It also offers workshops on financial and housing-related topics in English, Korean, and Spanish. 9
Every Thursday, the HANA Center hosts an event at which participants learn what to do upon encountering a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, how to plan for an emergency, and news on immigration law. 10 It also offers a free legal clinic. 10
Financials
In 2023, the HANA Center reported a revenue of $7,424,345, a significant increase from its 2022 revenue of $4,410,756. It reported expenses of $3,889,564 for 2023. 11
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights gave $621,339 to the HANA Center in the fiscal year ending in June 2024. 12 The New Economy Coalition, a network of nonprofits supporting left-of-center economic goals, gave $7,750 in 2024. 13 In 2023, it received two separate grants, each of $375,000, from the Freedom Together Foundation by way of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium. 14 The HANA Center also received $125,000 from the Arabella Advisors-managed New Venture Fund in 2023 and $100,000 in 2022. 15 16
The HANA Center has counted dozens of corporate and foundation as supporters, including the Crossroads Fund, the Democracy Fund, JB and MK Pritzker Family Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation. 17 Community partners include UIC Office of Diversity, Equity & Engagement, the Resurrection Project, and the Center for Asian Health Equity, among others. 17 The group also partners with local and state government bodies. 17
Financial Statistics
Total Assets
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
| Year | Total Assets | Total Revenue | Total Expenses | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,742,690 | $5,325,903 | $4,096,507 | |
| 2024 | $10,462,159 | $7,424,345 | $3,889,564 | View |
| 2023 | $6,933,367 | $4,410,756 | $3,155,328 | View |
| 2022 | $5,725,046 | $4,918,270 | $2,719,047 | View |
| 2021 | $4,273,409 | $4,875,296 | $3,918,865 | View |
| 2020 | $3,187,491 | $3,605,706 | $3,073,061 | View |
Prior year filings: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Revenue Detail
Expenses Detail
Employee Compensation
- Number of Employees: 57
Highest Earning Employees
| Employee | Title | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Inhe Choi | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $102,412 |
| Danae Kovac | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | $91,353 |
Grant Activity
All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:
- Total Grant Value: $18,137,869
- Number of Grants: 263
- Number of Funders: 72
Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:
Mentioned in this Article
- Arabella Advisors
- Crossroads Fund
- Democracy Fund
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Freedom Together Foundation
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
- John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
- New Economy Coalition
- New Venture Fund (NVF)
- Pritzker Family Foundation
Associated Influence Networks
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