NCAAT in Action was founded in 2016 as the lobbying and electoral advocacy partner to the charitable advocacy group North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT). The group promotes left-of-center policies such as abortion access and “racial equity” and leads voter registration drives. NCAAT in Action endorses numerous Democrats on the North Carolina ballot. ^{1 2}

Founding and History

North Carolina Asian Americans Together in Action was founded in 2016 by Chavi Khanna Koneru and Ricky Leung to build relations with Asian Americans in North Carolina to promote left-of-center causes and candidates. The group notes that Asian American voter participation has been increasing in North Carolina. ^{3 4}

Financials

For 2022, North Carolina Asian Americans Together in Action reported gross revenue of $1,616,703, of which the entire amount stemmed from grants and contributions. It reported $1,005,237 in expenses, of which $339,412 was spent on salaries and compensation and $50,850 on fundraising. It ended the year with a surplus of $611,466 and $1,896,297 in net assets. ⁵

In 2023, the group received a $900,000 grant from the Open Society Action Fund. ⁶

Organization Philosophy

North Carolina Asian Americans Together in Action supports left-of-center issues in North Carolina. Specifically, it seeks to mobilize Asian Americans on issues such as anti-discrimination laws, liberal immigration policies, and opposition to voter ID requirements. ⁷

Projects and Initiatives

North Carolina Asian Americans Together in Action’s primary project is voter mobilization, specifically among Asian Americans who regularly have voter turnout percentages below the state average. It promotes information on when and how to vote, registration deadlines, and tips and pointers for encouraging friends and family to vote. ^{8 9}

Additionally, NCAAT in Action endorses Democratic candidates for office. In the 2024 election it notably endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President, noting her record of being pro-abortion-access and fighting “extremism,” and also noting approval of her choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as running mate due to his left-of-center policies such as adding abortion access rights to the state constitution. The endorsement noted that if she were elected, NCAAT in Action would work to press Harris for a ceasefire in Gaza. ²

Similarly, the group’s endorsement of state Attorney General Josh Stein (D) for North Carolina governor noted his support of abortion and opposition to “extremism.” ²

North Carolina Asian Americans Together

NCAAT in Action is the 501(c)(4) partner organization to North Carolina Asian Americans Together. This charitable group has a similar mission of promoting “racial equity” through leadership and activism trainings and voting registration drives. A 2021 news report said that NCAAT was delivering non-partisan multi-lingual voting information during the 2016 election. ^{10 11}

Leadership

Chavi Khanna Koneru is the co-founder and executive director of NCAAT in Action. She has lived in North Carolina since 1989. She has a background in voting rights law at the Department of Justice and was a policy analyst at the NARAL North Caroline, a pro-abortion activist group. ^{12 11 13}

1. “Our Mission.” NCAAT In Action. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://ncaatinaction.org/mission/.
2. “Endorsements.” NCAAT In Action. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://ncaatinaction.org/endorsements/.
3. “Women of Western Wake: Chavi Khanna Koneru.” Cary Magazine, August 31, 2021. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://www.carymagazine.com/features/women-of-western-wake-chavi-khanna-koneru/.
4. “Get Out the Vote.” NCAAT In Action. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://ncaatinaction.org/get-out-the-vote/.
5. ^[1] NCAAT in Action, Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990) Part I, 2022.
6.  “Open Society Foundations – Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2023-90546.
7. “Advocacy & Issues.” NCAAT In Action. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://ncaatinaction.org/advocacy-issues/.
8. ^[1] “Get Out the Vote.” NCAAT In Action. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://ncaatinaction.org/get-out-the-vote/.
9. “Voter FAQ.” NCAAT In Action. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://ncaatinaction.org/voter-faq/.
10. ^[1] “Our Mission.” North Carolina Asian Americans Together. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://ncaatogether.org/about-us/our-mission/.
11. “Women of Western Wake: Chavi Khanna Koneru.” Cary Magazine, August 31, 2021. https://www.carymagazine.com/features/women-of-western-wake-chavi-khanna-koneru/.
12. “Chavi Khanna Koneru.” NCAAT In Action. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://ncaatinaction.org/team/chavi-khanna-koneru/.
13. “Experience | Chavi (Khanna) Koneru.” LinkedIn.com. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chavi-koneru-478a929/details/experience/.