Kroger Awards $1M Grant to The Asian American Foundation

The Kroger Co. Foundation's Racial Equity Fund recently awarded a $1 million grant to The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), which aligns with the goals set forth in Kroger's Framework for Action: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the Cincinnati-based grocer said in a May 27 statement.

"TAAF's work is in lockstep with the Kroger Foundation's commitment to build more equitable, inclusive communities," Keith Dailey, president of The Kroger Co. Foundation and Kroger's group VP of corporate affairs, said in a statement. "The Kroger Foundation is proud to stand with TAAF in its mission to end the cycle of hate and create belonging in the AAPI community, and to increase awareness around anti-Asian bias, harassment and violence. Our Foundation is proud to play a small role in advancing their efforts."

The grocery retailer said in 2021 it allocated $5 million to The Kroger Co. Foundation to establish a new racial equity fund, as part of Kroger's Framework for Action: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. And in 2022, the company said it contributed an additional $5 million to the fund to further advance race equity in America.

"The Kroger Foundation's generous commitment to the safety and well-being of AAPI communities is so important in this moment, both as anti-AAPI violence continues to surge, and as acts of violence targeting marginalized Americans are taking place at alarming rates," said TAAF CEO Norman Chen in a statement. "It was two years ago this week that George Floyd was murdered, one year ago that the Atlanta spa-shootings occurred, and still acts of mass violence that are leaving communities of color wondering if we'll ever feel safe in America—if we'll ever feel that we belong. At TAAF, we want to create that permanent sense of belonging that is free from discrimination, slander and violence, and so we are grateful to have The Kroger Foundation's support as we pursue that all-too-important mission."

The grants was celebrated at an event sponsored by Kroger's Asian Associate Resource Group (ARG) to honor AAPI Heritage Month. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Asian ARG was established by Kroger Asian associates with a to mission to recruit and retain Asian talent by providing belonging.