The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation (TAF) is a nonprofit international development organization focused on improving lives across Asia. Its programs operate in various sectors, including governance, women's empowerment and gender equality, inclusive economic growth, environmental and climate action, and regional and international cooperation. One of the Foundation's notable initiatives is the "Let's Read" program, which provides a free digital library in local languages to support students, educators, and community leaders in over 20 countries. The Asia Foundation is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It collaborates with a range of public and private partners and receives funding from various sources, including agencies, foundations, corporations, and individual donors. The Foundation was established in 1954 by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct cultural and educational activities on behalf of the United States government in ways that were not available to official U.S. agencies.