Our Mission

Jai Lao Foundation (JLF) is dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and educational opportunities to the communities of Laos. We work in partnership with local communities to provide humanitarian aid and educational opportunities, including disaster relief, school construction, access to clean water, and essential items such as food, hygiene supplies, and clothing. Our goal is to help create safe, supportive environments where children can learn and families have the stability and resources needed to thrive. We believe education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering communities for future growth.

JLF is committed to expanding access to higher education and supporting students of Laotian descent in the United States as they pursue their academic and professional goals. Through our scholarship program, we work to reduce barriers to higher education by investing in students who demonstrate cultural pride and meaningful service within the Lao community.  

Recognizing that representation is essential to preserving our heritage, we are committed to uplifting individuals who embody the enduring spirit, bright minds, and giving hearts of the Lao people. Through scholarships and contributions in programs that celebrate Lao culture through the arts, we work to enrich the local Lao community and inspire a new generation of leaders who honor their roots while forging lasting pathways that strengthen and uplift our community.

Our Impact

We recognize the urgent need to support rural villages where access to basic necessities is often limited. Imagine children walking up to three hours through harsh conditions just to attend school—this reality fuels our commitment to bridging the gap and ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment.

Through fundraisers and donation drives, Jai Lao Foundation has built and renovated schools and libraries, provided clean water systems to remote villages, and brought educational supplies to thousands of children all throughout Laos. We have been able to provide relief to communities who have lost everything to floods, aid special needs centers, and deliver essential clothing, food, and hygienic items to families in need.

We also seek to enrich the lives of the local Lao community. To date, we have awarded more than $113,000 in scholarships to multi-ethnic Lao American college students of refugee descent, and we are deeply proud of the meaningful impact our annual scholarship program has achieved with the support of our donors. In addition, we have donated to youth programs that celebrate and preserve Lao culture through the arts, fostering cultural pride, creativity, and community connection.

100% of Donations go to Families in Need

Since the inception of Jai Lao, our team made a pledge that donations from the public at large will not be used for any purpose other than to help the children.  Funds to cover administrative expenses of running an organization comes directly from private donors and fundraisers, and volunteers serving on the Board also contribute annually to ensure that this promise is carried out.  Jai Lao was founded on the aspiration to give back and help others, because we are in the position to do something to make a difference now.

We Can’t Do it Alone

Jai Lao has been blessed with so many volunteers who have brought our mission to life. We all want to help better the world around us, and money is not the only way to make a difference. There are many small grass root organizations like ours out there changing the world of children and entire communities with very little resources. Paying it forward means giving attention and support to those in need, in any way we are able. From saying "Sabaidee" to sharing a post, communicating and making connections are the best ways to support a cause. Visit us on Facebook or Instagram to see full albums of our past projects and become part of the growing Jai Lao community of giving!