On the opening day of the 2023 Asian American Hotel Owners Association Convention & Trade Show yesterday, the association publicly launched the AAHOA Charitable Foundation. Forming later this year as an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the AAHOA Charitable Foundation will provide disaster relief, educational scholarships, grants and charitable initiatives for causes and humanitarian aid.
“I can think of no better way to conclude my chairmanship of AAHOA than by launching the AAHOA Charitable Foundation,” outgoing Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel said in a statement. “AAHOA members are hardworking, creative, and entrepreneurial. They are also generous and community-minded. The AAHOA Charitable Foundation gives all of our members a new outlet to continue supporting our communities.”
AAHOA’s 20,000 members already contribute to their communities by supporting charitable organizations that provide services ranging from education and disease research funding to humanitarian efforts. AAHOA has been able to donate millions of dollars to charities, which the Association credits to "the generosity of vendor partners, members and sponsors." AAHOA is seeking contributions from members, anticipating that all contributions will be deductible under the fullest extent provided by applicable law.
“Through charitable golf tournaments, hurricane relief efforts and other charitable activities, AAHOA Members believe in giving back to our local communities,” said incoming AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel. “The AAHOA Charitable Foundation builds on these efforts and provides a new venue for AAHOA Members to support their communities.”
To celebrate the launch of the new foundation, attendees are making pledges to donate to the foundation, with the goal of raising $50,000 in the first week during the 2023 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show.
“AAHOA members own hotels in thousands of communities in all 50 states, which provide safe and comfortable accommodations for 3.5 million guests each night, along with employing one million workers,” said President and CEO Laura Lee Blake. “Our members stand strong as pillars of their communities and care deeply about those who need help. They contribute in so many ways. Through the AAHOA Charitable Foundation, our members will have a new way to support charitable activities that will make a remarkable difference in each and every community across the country.”