VietLead Faces Financial Crisis, Leading to Major Layoffs of Staff Advocating for Southeast Asian Americans in Philadelphia.

VietLead, an advocacy organization based in Philadelphia that serves Southeast Asian American communities, has announced significant layoffs, reducing its staff size by 70% due to a severe financial crisis. The organization has indicated a pressing need to raise 0,000 by the end of June and 0,000 by year-end to stabilize its operations and ensure long-term sustainability.

In a letter to the community, the co-executive directors acknowledged their accountability for the financial mismanagement that has contributed to the organization’s current instability. They expressed that the layoffs are a painful but necessary step to secure the future of VietLead. Despite these challenges, one of the co-directors, Nancy Dung Nguyen, will remain at the helm, while her fellow co-directors transition out of their paid roles.

The organization’s annual budget is projected to decline from approximately .6 million to an estimated 0,000 next year. This financial crisis follows a period of growth for VietLead, which had experienced a surge in funding amid increased civic engagement efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and a spike in anti-Asian sentiment. However, as this funding has dissipated, the organization finds itself struggling to maintain essential programs, particularly those geared toward youth.

By the end of 2025, VietLead anticipates laying off 17 staff members while reducing the hours of the remaining 10 employees by 50%. These figures may be subject to minor adjustments as the organization navigates this difficult transition.

In an effort to counteract these challenges, VietLead is now focusing on aggressive fundraising strategies. The organization has emphasized the importance of community support in weathering this financial storm. They have received offers for emergency grants, complimentary services, and fundraising suggestions from supporters eager to assist in the rebuilding process.

The financial turmoil coincides with the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, a significant event that triggered a historic refugee crisis and led to the resettlement of millions, including approximately 125,000 Vietnamese refugees to the United States. Philadelphia currently boasts a vibrant Asian community, with around 123,000 individuals, including 15,000 Vietnamese, 9,000 Cambodians, and 1,200 Laotians.

VietLead, founded in 2016, has played an instrumental role in empowering Southeast Asian communities in Philadelphia and South Jersey. The organization has engaged in numerous social-justice movements and has responded to urgent community needs, particularly in the face of federal immigration policies that have led to an increase in deportations of long-term residents.

In addressing their community, VietLead’s leadership underscored their commitment to stabilizing the organization through financial consultations and robust oversight while remaining dedicated to fostering leadership within Southeast Asian communities. The organization is calling for contributions to meet pressing financial obligations, which it argues reflect broader systemic issues faced by social-justice organizations in the current fundraising climate.

VietLead continues its efforts to build resilience among communities that have historically been underfunded, navigating the complex landscape of nonprofit management amid increasing political and financial pressures.