New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Mar. 25 that her office will distribute $3 million in grants to two organizations serving the Filipino community in New York City. The Ma-Yi Theater Company and Woodside on the Move will each receive $1.5 million, following the dissolution of a charity that previously provided cultural and educational services to Filipino New Yorkers.
The funding aims to continue supporting cultural, educational, and social service programs for the city’s Filipino residents. According to James, “I am proud to announce $3 million in grants to support two organizations serving the Filipino community and all New Yorkers. When a charitable organization closes its doors, it is imperative that its remaining assets are dedicated to continuing its mission. Ma-Yi Theater and Woodside on the Move already provide invaluable arts and culture programming to their communities, and I look forward to their continued success.”
Ralph B. Pena, Producing Artistic Director of Ma-Yi Theater Company, said: “Ma-Yi Theater Company is deeply grateful to Attorney General Letitia James and the Office of the Attorney General for this extraordinary grant. We are proud to accept this support and pledge to use it to expand cultural and educational programs that serve Filipino American communities across New York State.” William Jourdain, Executive Director of Woodside on the Move, said: “With five decades of deep roots in Woodside, we are honored… This funding allows us to expand culturally grounded programs, strengthen educational opportunities, and deliver vital services that ensure Filipino New Yorkers are seen, supported, and celebrated.” Assemblymember Steven Raga added: “These investments…are a powerful commitment to preserving Filipino culture while delivering real resources…for generations to come.”
The grants were made possible through oversight by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) after a Park Avenue townhouse owned by a dissolving charity was sold. Under state law governing not-for-profit corporations, remaining assets from such closures must go toward organizations with similar missions.
Since 1989 Ma-Yi Theater has produced plays reflecting on Filipino American experiences; its Writer’s Lab program is recognized as one of the largest resident companies for Asian American playwrights nationally. Woodside on the Move has supported Little Manila in Queens for fifty years with youth programs as well as broader community services including food pantries and job fairs.
The OAG promotes social justice through civil rights enforcement and consumer advocacy according to its official website. The agency also protects public safety while defending civil rights according to its official website. Letitia James heads this public law enforcement agency according to its official website, which operates regional offices statewide according to its official website addressing local legal issues such as consumer fraud investigations or tenant dispute mediation according to its official website.
This round of funding underscores efforts by state officials like James—who leads these initiatives—to preserve community heritage while supporting vulnerable populations.
