Philanthropy California's Commitment to an Inclusive Democracy

Ahead of the 2024 General Election, Philanthropy California — the statewide alliance of Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Northern California Grantmakers, and SoCal Grantmakers — stands firm in our commitment to a vibrant and inclusive democracy. We believe free and fair elections are vital, as are efforts to protect the integrity of our democratic institutions and processes. We are united in our commitment to advance policies that build healthy, thriving, and equitable communities across our state.

Philanthropy California will continue to serve as a resource, connector, and advocate for you throughout this election cycle and beyond. Our alliance will convene as necessary to amplify the voices of our members and community partners in statewide public policy discourse. Next spring, Philanthropy California will host an event to examine the federal administration's first 100 days and the implications and opportunities for our sector.

Today, we are eager to share an initial list of policy and advocacy opportunities curated by Philanthropy CA. We invite you to register for any of the programs below and to access our resource hubs, which will be updated throughout the election season. Additionally, each regional organization will communicate its unique plans in the coming weeks tailored to the needs and requests of its respective members.

Regardless of the outcomes of our local, state, and national elections this November, our work to build a multiracial democracy will continue. As a statewide alliance, we will further our collaboration with members, partners, and local organizations working year-round to reach and mobilize communities most impacted by racial and economic injustice. We will advocate for investments that help communities develop grassroots leadership and build long-term power. We will also continue to imagine new models of governance that include and elevate the voices of community members and the issues they face.

There are so many ways philanthropy can get involved. This is the moment to be bold. We all have a role to play in supporting and strengthening our democracy, even if your priorities do not explicitly include civic engagement and democracy work. We encourage you to participate in our upcoming opportunities to explore how you can have an impact beyond this election cycle. Please don't hesitate to contact any of us to learn more and get involved.  

In Partnership,  

Christine Essel  
President & CEO, SoCal Grantmakers  
chris@socalgrantmakers.org 

Dwayne S. Marsh 
President & CEO, Northern California Grantmakers 
dmarsh@ncg.org 

Megan Thomas  
President & CEO, Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties 
megan@catalystsd.org