Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP)
Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP) is a community organizing and mobilization advocacy group focused on increasing the political power of Hmong Americans and other ethnic-minority communities, particularly in California. 1 Its efforts are concentrated on community engagement, including direct voter outreach, voter education, youth leadership development, and parent and community organizing to push for equity in housing, education, and representation. 2 The organization supports LGBT activism and the Black Lives Matter movement. 3
Contents
Activities
MOVE the Valley (Mobilize, Organize, Vote, Empower)
Hmong Innovating Politics is a founding member of MOVE the Valley, a community-based advocacy coalition focused on engaging California’s Central Valley in politics, leadership, and education. 2 Other partners include Communities for a New California Education Fund, Faith in the Valley, and the Jakara Movement. 4
Hmong American Day
In 2024, California declared May 14 to be Hmong American Day. The state is home to more than 90,000 Hmong, the largest Hmong community in the U.S. This new acknowledgment is partly due to Hmong Innovating Politics’ work within the state. 5
In a blog post by HIP, the group argued that Hmong American Day is “political” and those in the Hmong community should “protest, politically educate yourself, and speak up for injustices” because May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and should be a time when the Asian community highlights its “power.” 6
Public Statement on Congressional Investigation
In June 2025, then-U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green (R-TN) and Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman Josh Brecheen (R-OK) requested the records of more than 200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that received taxpayer-funded contracts during the 2021 to 2025 border crisis and immigration surge, with lawmakers alleging the nonprofits may have “facilitated illegal activity.” 7 In response, one month later, more than 600 groups including Hmong Innovating Politics, signed a public statement condemning the investigation. The signatories argued that these groups provided federally authorized services under valid grants to help immigrants, workers, youth, and local communities. The letter claimed the probe was a weaponization of U.S. Congressional power. 8
Financials
Chinese for Affirmative Action, a left-of-center advocacy organization that promotes community involvement and policy advocacy, is the fiscal sponsor for Hmong Innovating Politics. According to 2023 IRS tax filings, Chinese for Affirmative Action spent approximately $1.5 million supporting HIP, including approximately $17,000 in grants. 9
HIP has received grants from the James B. McClatchy Foundation, a Central Valley California advocacy organization. 10 Since at least 2019, 11 the California Endowment, a left-leaning nonprofit chartered by the State of California, has given money to HIP through the Chinese for Affirmative Action organization. 12