Manilatown Heritage Foundation

The mission of the Manilatown Heritage Foundation is to promote social and economic justice for Filipinos in the United States by preserving our history, advocating for equal access, and advancing our arts and culture.

Rooted in the legacy of San Francisco’s Historic Manilatown and the International Hotel (I-Hotel) Anti-Eviction Movement, the Manilatown Heritage Foundation (MHF) carries forward a tradition of community organizing, cultural stewardship, and civic engagement. The organization was founded to ensure that the stories of Filipino American laborers, elders, and activists—whose struggles for housing and dignity helped shape the Asian American movement—are preserved, honored, and activated for future generations.

Today, MHF fulfills its mission through an integrated model of arts, education, and public history. At the International Hotel Manilatown Center, MHF presents artist-led performances, exhibitions, cultural workshops, and historic tours that connect community members to narratives of migration, labor, and identity. These programs create accessible opportunities for intergenerational learning while supporting artists and culture bearers in sustaining traditional and contemporary practices.

MHF’s work is grounded in the belief that cultural expression is inseparable from social justice. By centering Filipino American and Asian American experiences within a broader framework of equity and inclusion, the organization fosters spaces where communities can gather, reflect, and imagine shared futures. Through its ongoing programming and partnerships, MHF continues to build a living cultural home that uplifts community voices, strengthens cultural knowledge, and advances belonging across generations.