KNF is a small entity and will focus on building a strong and sustainable nonprofit with long term mission success. This will include the two areas:
• Board recruitment and development for young people
Cultivation → Recruitment → Orientation → Engagement → Succession planning.
• Build Sustainability Through Training & Capacity Building
Current Initiatives Strengthening KNF’s Long Term Sustainability
1. Partnerships With Local Nonprofits Strengthen Infrastructure & Funding Stability
Since the COVID 19 pandemic, KNF has intentionally expanded partnerships with local and national nonprofit organizations. These partnerships are one of the most powerful sustainability tools for ethnic based nonprofits: they expand reach, reduce duplication, and open doors to shared funding opportunities.
Through collaborations with agencies such as ABLE Community Development (ABLE) and the United Communities of Laos (UCL), KNF has become eligible for larger, multi agency grants. These partnerships increase visibility, strengthen our collective voice, and allow us to leverage one another’s strengths in training, funding, and program development.
During COVID 19, the UCL coalition enabled shared funding and coordinated services for cultural events and community support. This collaborative model helped KNF secure City, County, and State funding, demonstrating that coalition based work is a proven sustainability strategy.
Partnerships also expand KNF’s internal capacity without requiring us to build every curriculum or program from scratch. By sharing resources, expertise, and leadership, KNF grows its impact while keeping overhead low—an essential component of long term sustainability.
2. Recruiting & Training Young Leaders Ensures Organizational Continuity
A sustainable nonprofit requires a strong leadership pipeline. Since our 2020 board retreat in Fresno, KNF has prioritized recruiting and training young rising stars to become future board members, regional representatives, and program leads.
This strategy reduces leadership gaps and ensures smooth transitions when elders retire or step back. Young leaders bring fresh perspectives, new skills, and innovative ways to connect with youth—especially in areas like technology, communication, social media, and grant writing.
Because youth leadership is peer driven, young people are more likely to join and stay engaged when invited by other youth. This has already strengthened local associations:
Examples of Youth Leadership in Action
• Seattle, WA – Young leaders Lai and Susan created the Washington Khmu Youth Group, offering dance, music, gardening, and summer field trips. Their programs attract families and build cultural pride.
• Fresno, CA – Kathy and Mally, young parents, revitalized the local dance group. With KNF’s support, they expanded the program and secured new cultural clothing for performances.
Since 2020, KNF has helped multiple local Khmu groups recruit and train young board members. These new leaders have significantly improved community engagement and program planning, ensuring every region has strong representation and active participation.
3. Khmu Dance & Music Programs Build Cultural Sustainability and Youth Engagement
Cultural programs—especially dance and music—are not simply “nice to have.” They are a core sustainability strategy for KNF.
When youth feel connected to their culture, they are more likely to volunteer, lead, and stay involved long term. Cultural programs increase community visibility, attract families, and draw the attention of funders who prioritize cultural preservation.
Examples of Cultural Sustainability in Action
• In the Bay Area, board member Bouakay helped secure local grants to strengthen and expand cultural music and dance programs.
• At community events, attendance increases when children, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren perform. Elders also participate more, using these gatherings to pass down cultural knowledge.
Music, dance, and food create intergenerational connection—one of the strongest predictors of community resilience. These programs also create a pipeline of youth who feel proud of their identity and motivated to contribute to KNF’s mission.
KNF continues to support local Samakhoms in building and sustaining cultural programs that align with their mission and vision. These efforts ensure that cultural preservation remains at the heart of our community’s future.