The James Irvine Foundation

It is no secret that foundations will be one of the next sectors under attack, which is why we are standing in solidarity with a growing and diverse coalition of funders and philanthropy-serving organizations to protect our freedom to express ourselves, to give, and to invest in our communities.     Our CEO, Don Howard, spoke with Inside Philanthropy’s Dawn Wolfe and shared, “I’m proud of our leaders in philanthropy, that we are preparing in advance so that when those threats emerge, we won’t see a division within our community that undermines the basic right to give...As a philanthropic community, I think we also have the opportunity to learn together about how we can help our grantees stay safe and secure and be able to do their important work.” Read on: https://irvine.ly/3EhWle8 Join us to #UniteInAdvance because #CourageIsContagious at: https://irvine.ly/4lpl80y #philanthropy 

Women, especially women of color, face systemic discrimination, unequal pay, occupational segregation, and limited access to wealth-building opportunities. On average, women nationwide lose nearly $1.7 trillion annually due to the wage gap, making it harder for women to afford basic living necessities and achieve long-term financial stability. To address these issues in #California, Equal Rights Advocates chairs the Stronger California Advocates Network, which unites over 65 organizations to fight for systemic policy reforms that advance economic security for women and families. The Network’s wins include the nation’s strongest laws combating sexual harassment and pay discrimination, expanded workplace leave protections, and increased funding for affordable childcare policies. Achieving and sustaining these wins requires deep investments from public and private funders. To learn how funders can better support ERA and the Network’s work, check out this blog post from ERA’s Jessica Stender: https://irvine.ly/3FMILjg #JustProsperity #WageGap

Millions of people across the nation benefit from the essential services nonprofits provide, and foundations have the privilege of providing resources that allow nonprofits to deliver said services, support their communities, and pay their staff. This is why The James Irvine Foundation is proud to stand in solidarity with our fellow funders to protect our freedom to give and invest in our communities.   Learn about the public solidarity sign-on campaign and steps foundations can take to stand with each other and the communities we serve in this Nonprofit Quarterly piece from McKnight Foundation’s Tonya Allen, Freedom Together Foundation’s Deepak Bhargava, and MacArthur Foundation’s John Palfrey: https://irvine.ly/4je8yzy Thank you to the Bush Foundation, Council of Michigan Foundations, Council on Foundations, Democracy Fund, The Foundation for Systemic Change, Freedom Together Foundation, Fund the People, Global Peace Building Foundation, Hispanics in Philanthropy, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Lancaster County Community Foundation, Minnesota Council on Foundations, McKnight Foundation, National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, Northwest Area Foundation, RWJF, The Skillman Foundation, The Spencer Foundation - Bringing hope and a smile to children with cancer and their families, Surdna Foundation, and United Philanthropy Forum for standing together: https://irvine.ly/4lpl80y    #UniteInAdvance #CourageIsContagious  

Curious about the impact of #automation on Latino workers in #California?     Join UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute on April 10 to learn how automation is transforming industries across California and explore solutions to the economic impacts of automation. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gehVnFnY 

After losing her mother to preventable breast cancer and enduring pre-term births despite taking every precaution, Shantay R. Davies-Balch, CEO of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center, felt compelled to advocate for Black maternal health and community wellness.     In 2021, Shantay launched the Black Doula Network (BDN), a flagship program of the center, to expand doula care among Black women by training new doulas. She developed a comprehensive, equity-centered curriculum and has trained 10 doulas to date, more than tripling the number of Black doulas serving #Fresno County.     Earlier this year, we awarded her with a The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards for her work in improving Black maternal health and promoting culturally competent care.    Watch the full video to learn more about BDN at: https://lnkd.in/g9-jCRCg 

Black women and Black single mothers in #California are particularly impacted by policies rooted in racism and sexism that block them from accessing public programs and jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits. The California Budget & Policy Center’s (Budget Center) report revealed that Black women’s average wages are lower than those of White and Asian women and significantly lower than those of White men. The Budget Center and the California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute shared that if a single Black working mom in California had been paid what White men in the state were paid in 2022, they would be able to afford an additional eight years of groceries, an entire year of rent, or two years of childcare. How can we address the pay gap and improve the economic well-being of Black women in California? Check out the recommendations from the Budget Center and the Institute at: https://lnkd.in/gJBzaUia #WageGap  

#Apprenticeships can mutually benefit both workers and employers. Workers benefit by earning livable wages while learning skills for a specific occupation or trade, ultimately accessing good jobs and family-sustaining careers. Meanwhile, employers benefit by developing and investing in their future workforce, as well as earning a return on investment of over 40%. In the #InlandEmpire, there is evidence that the registered apprenticeship model works and is something more businesses should invest in. Why is the region so successful in developing apprenticeships? Matthew Mena, Executive Director of Irvine #PriorityCommunities partner Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity (IEGO), shares why and recommends ways to keep the region competitive in The Press-Enterprise: https://lnkd.in/g6rDKb5Q

As a child, Helen Torres witnessed the discrimination her immigrant faced while trying to fit into their community, making her determined to create a world where her mother would be accepted.     Helen found seeds of the world she hoped to create in Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). After becoming HOPE’s Executive Director in 2000, she grew the organization into a fully staffed training, research, and advocacy organization that builds Latina community power.     This year, she was awarded a The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards, recognizing her work to advance democracy and strengthen communities through Latina civic leadership. Check out the video below to hear from Helen and watch the full video at: https://lnkd.in/gX-9xK63    #IrvineAwards 

This #CesarChavezDay, we honor César Chávez’s lasting impact on the lives of farmworkers and the broader labor movement. César’s efforts, together with those of farmworkers and labor leaders who fought alongside him, have paved the way for the rights and protections workers have today and continue to inspire generations of community organizers. As we continue building a California where no low-income worker is left behind, we are grateful to worker leaders and our grantee partners who remain committed to protecting and advancing better working and living conditions for all.

In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, we are spotlighting Equal Rights Advocates (ERA) and their work through the Stronger California Advocates Network, which is supported by Irvine’s #JustProsperity initiative!    Jessica Stender, ERA’s Policy Director and Deputy Legal Director, shared, “This month is not just about honoring the past; it is about preserving hard-fought protections and continuing to fight for an equitable future. The challenges have never been greater and we are doubling down in the fight for women and families and the urgent work of protecting fundamental civil rights, combating poverty, and securing economic justice, educational access, and workplace protections.”    Jessica shares more about how ERA and the Network address the barriers to economic security that women face, their wins and progress, and how funders can better support their work at: https://irvine.ly/3FMILjg