PAAIA FUND

With regards to policymakers, lawmakers, and the general public about Iranian American culture and celebrations of the community, the PAAIA Fund encouraged Members of Congress to recognize the Persian New Year through a Nowruz Resolution that commemorates the ancient holiday and recognizes the contributions of Persian Civilization and that of Iranian Americans to the social and economic fabric of America. As part of the education and socialization around the Nowruz Resolution, the Fund hosted a Congressional Nowruz on the Hill celebration of the holiday. A bi-partisan event co-sponsored by Members of Congress from both parties, the event was attended by Members of Congress, over 100 staffers, and the public. With regards to educating law makers, policy makers, and the broader public about how Iranian American remain connected and communicate with their families not in the United States. The PAAIA Fund organized two congressional briefings with Education Committee Chair, other members of congress, and their staffs to discuss internet freedom in Iran. Similarly, the Fund also provided a separate educational session to Democratic members of Congress. A free internet is necessary for Iranian Americans to communicate with their families in Iran via internet platforms like WhatsApp, signal, or telegram. These educational sessions were vital because although the IRAN Act passed into law in December 2024 and received authorization, appropriation did not occur. The PAAIA Fund continues its Civic Leadership Program that encourages youth to participate in the civic process and make an impact in their local communities. The program is host to different initiatives that provide various internship training opportunities, mentoring and professional development opportunities, and an immersive summer leadership experience in Washington DC. As part of this, the PAAIA Fund offers several Public Service and Capitol Hill Fellowship opportunities to college age Iranian Americans to learn about the legislative process firsthand and to inspire them to pursue careers in public service. The Fund continues its Civic Leadership Credential, the equity component of the Civic Leadership Program through which students may learn leadership skills anywhere in the country they are so they do not have the expense of coming to Washington DC. The Credential is an online course that equips participants with the knowledge and skills they need to get involved in civic engagement. PAAIA Fund supports the Iranian American community in times of need as well as shares the successes of community members. It also works with government agencies, like the Department of Justice to address concerns about bias, discrimination, and hate crimes as well as the State Department to address hostage diplomacy and the kidnapping of Iranian Americans. As part of this work, PAAIA informs not only its dues paying Members, but also the wider Iranian American community. Additionally, PAAIA organizes retreats for Members with informational and networking sessions. The organization also offer Members-only online meetings with experts in different professional fields. PAAIA Fund commissioned and released the 2025 National Public Opinion Survey of Iranian Americans. The survey was conducted by Survey USA and is based on a representative sample of Iranian Americans. Since 2008, PAAIA Fund has commissioned nationally recognized pollsters to survey Iranian American attitudes on important topics ranging from domestic issues to foreign policy preferences. The first of their kind, these national public opinion polls raise the voice of the Iranian American community by presenting scientific data to policymakers and the media in order to better their understanding of Iranian Americans.