The FANHS National Pinoy Archives is the only one of its kind in the U.S. generally by its dedication and commitment to the preservation of materials on Filipino American history and culture and specifically by its already existing collection of comprehensive and indexed documentation on individuals, groups, organizations, institutions and facilities relative to Filipino Americans.
The NPA was organized in 1987 "to provide a repository and storage for research and gathered materials" as mandated in the FANHS' Articles of Incorporation in order "to conduct research and studies" in keeping with the mission of the FANHS "to promote understanding, education, enlightenment, appreciation and enrichment through the identification, gathering, preservation and dissemination of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the U.S."
To implement these goals, the NPA serves as the central core of archival collections while coordinating regionally supplementary collections in satellite archives initiated by FANHS chapters in their respective areas; the first satellite having been organized by FANHS' Oregon Chapter in Portland.