The Taiwanese American Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which focuses on developing personal leadership in youth and building strong cultural and social ties within the Taiwanese-American community. TAF strives to empower youth to explore and develop a strong sense of self, compassion and understanding of others, excellent interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities that will impact their surroundings and environment in a meaningful and unique way.
Originally founded as the Midwest Formosan Christian Fellowship (MFCF) in 1966 by Bill Cho and Jim Chen, the organization focused on bringing together families and building a strong and connected community for first generation Taiwanese and their children. In 1980, the conference renamed itself as the Taiwanese American Foundation (TAF) and created Junior, Junior High, Youth and College programs, in addition to a Parent's weekend program. The implementation of small groups, advising staff and four rotating themes changed the nature of the camp to become more youth-focused, emphasizing appreciation and exploration of Taiwanese heritage while also further understanding one's self.
Over time, TAF has expanded beyond simply being an annual conference, with the establishment of a Board of Directors, an annual New Year's party and the current initiative to build an Alumni Network. This continuous expansion will allow TAF
to continue to make a deep impact on its immediate community while also building a broader presence and connection with other organizations that focus on Taiwanese-Americans.
In 2010, the Taiwanese American Foundation will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in its current form and the more than 5,000 individuals who have come through our program.
Board of Directors
David Chiou - President
Liz Lin-Wang - Secretary
Alex Yang - Treasurer
Nick Huang - General Counsel
Hochie Tsai - Camp Physician
T.Z. Chen
Jean Chen
Charlie Huang
Judy Huang
Jason Hsu
Jessica (Chang) Laursen
Bob Lin
David Lin
Mike Lin
Dan Lu
Program Directors
Juniors:
Emmeline Kuo
Elizabeth Wang
Junior High:
Howard Chen
Michelle Hsu
Youth Program:
Jessica Fu
Ming Young
TAF Labs:
Jon Lee
Kevin Yau
Additional Staff
Executive Director:
Karen Lin
Marketing Director:
Andrea Hong