
To advance wellness for all Californians by removing systemic barriers to health and supporting community-led solutions that promote equity, justice, and voice.
The California Wellness Foundation’s recent grantmaking shows a strong emphasis on medical education, with $2,000,000 in core operating support to Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science to educate, train, and support medical students, including efforts to strengthen pathways for underrepresented racial minorities. That same pattern appears in its $1,000,000 grant to the Foundation for California Community Colleges for the California Medicine Scholars Program, which supports pathways to and through medical schools across California for underrepresented racial minorities at community colleges. The foundation also backs public-interest infrastructure. A $1,250,000 grant to Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program Management supported the Community Economic Mobilization Initiative, which regrants to community-based organizations to build capacity for advocacy efforts that improve health and well-being. The California Wellness Foundation’s portfolio also includes large operating grants for policy, civic engagement, and community safety, including support for California-based organizations working on racial justice, health equity, and violence prevention. Across these awards, the foundation uses both operating support and project support, and it often funds organizations that sit close to advocacy, research, and community-led systems change.
Health equity work appears in both policy and research. The California Budget & Policy Center received $1,000,000 for core operating support to continue fiscal and policy analysis and public education for health-related policy and budget decisions in California. The University of Southern California received $1,000,000 for core operating support to provide accessible data and analysis for community and advocacy organizations working to advance racial justice and health equity through movement building. Community safety and youth justice are another clear thread. The Connie Rice Institute for Urban Peace received $750,000 for core operating support to increase community safety in Los Angeles and statewide through policy advocacy and narrative change efforts. Environmental justice also shows up in a $600,000 grant to Public Health Advocates for the California COVID Justice Coalition and for increasing access to parks and green space in underserved communities. Economic security is present as well, including a $500,000 project grant to End Poverty in California for narrative change, power-building, and policy advocacy.
$53.6M
$1B
$13.8M
$73.9M
Most grants fall between $2K and $75K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$75K
RICHARD TATE
CEO/PRESIDENT
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Typical grants are small-to-mid sized, with a p25 of $2,106, a median of $7,500, and a p75 of $75,000, alongside a smaller number of large operating and project grants. The recent list shows repeated support for California organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025, with several recipients returning in adjacent years through core operating support or related project support. The foundation is a regular funder and also makes program-related investments. It funds individuals, though the recent grants shown here are to organizations. The pattern leans heavily toward operating support, often paired with capacity building, advocacy, regranting, or multi-year initiative support.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly California-centered: 81% of grants go to recipients in California. Los Angeles appears frequently, including grants to Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science, the California Immigrant Policy Center, and the California Community Foundation. Sacramento is another recurring hub, with awards to the Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program Management, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and the California Budget & Policy Center. Other visible California cities include Oakland, San Francisco, Riverside, and Long Beach. Outside California, the recent list also includes Washington, DC; Brooklyn, NY; and Virginia as the top state by grant count.
Its summary centers on advancing wellness for all Californians by removing systemic barriers to health and supporting community-led solutions that promote equity, justice, and voice. Recent grants show emphasis on health care access, reproductive justice, disability justice, violence prevention and healing, economic security, education and leadership development, environmental justice, and civic engagement and public policy.
The foundation’s typical grant size is p25 $2,106, median $7,500, and p75 $75,000. Recent awards also include much larger operating and project grants, including several at $500,000, $750,000, $1,000,000, and $2,000,000.
Yes. Recent grants support policy analysis, public education, advocacy, and narrative change. Examples include support for fiscal and policy analysis at the California Budget & Policy Center, policy advocacy and narrative change at the Connie Rice Institute for Urban Peace, and power-building and policy advocacy at End Poverty in California.
The recent list includes universities, community foundations, policy organizations, public health groups, and advocacy intermediaries. Examples include Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science, Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program Management, Community Partners, Public Health Advocates, and East Bay Community Foundation.
The foundation gives most often in California, which accounts for 81% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Within California, Los Angeles and Sacramento appear repeatedly, along with Oakland, San Francisco, Riverside, and Long Beach.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALIFORNIA IMMIGRANT POLICY CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TIDES CENTER | SACRAMENTO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR MOVE THE VALLEY TO ENHANCE INTEGRATED VOTER ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH AMONG LOW-INCOME, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN NINE COUNTIES IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY. |
| COMMUNITY COALITION FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION & TREATMENT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOREALIS PHILANTHROPY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE DISABILITY INCLUSION FUND TO IMPROVE HEALTH EQUITY IN CALIFORNIA. |
| RESEARCH ACTION DESIGN LLC | COVINA, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT MEDICAL SCHOOL COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS FOR ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY IN MEDICAL EDUCATION. |
| STRATEGIC CONCEPTS IN ORGANIZING AND POLICY EDUCATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ROOTS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER | OAKLAND, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE 40X40 COUNCIL TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE RISE EAST 10-YEAR PLAN TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS OF EAST OAKLAND. |
| YOUTH LAW CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRANTMAKERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE BLACK EQUITY COLLECTIVE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD A REGIONAL, NETWORKED INFRASTRUCTURE OF BLACK-LED SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN CALIFORNIA. |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KEE CHA-E-NAR CORPORATION | KLAMATH, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEALTH LEADS INC | BOSTON, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT TO DEVELOP A PILOT FOR A COMMUNITY REFERRAL NETWORK IN THE BAY AREA TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WITH NEEDED HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES. |
| TIDES CENTER | SACRAMENTO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR LATINO COALITION FOR A HEALTHY CALIFORNIA TO HELP LAUNCH A STATEWIDE MULTI-YEAR, MULTI-SECTORAL ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS THE LATINE PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE IN CALIFORNIA, INCLUDING PATHWAYS TO & THROUGH MEDICAL SCHOOL. |
| CENTER ON RACE POVERTY & ENVIRONMENT | DELANO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CSU FULLERTON AUXILIARY SERVICES CORPORATION | FULLERTON, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT AND EFFORTS FOR PROJECT REBOUND AT CSU FULLERTON TO SUPPORT POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS IN ORANGE COUNTY FOR YOUTH INVOLVED WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. |
| BROTHERHOOD OF ELDERS NETWORK | OAKLAND, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE 40X40 COUNCIL TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE RISE EAST 10-YEAR PLAN TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS OF EAST OAKLAND. |
| ALLIANCE IN MENTORSHIP | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR UCLA LABOR CENTER'S CENTER TO SUSTAIN AND STRENGTHEN THE BLACK WORKER CENTER MOVEMENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO ADVANCE QUALITY JOBS, EQUITABLE HIRING, AND WORKER JUSTICE. |
| COMMUNITY WATER CENTER | VISALIA, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EQUALITY ALLIANCE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $455,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GIFFORDS LAW CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ESSENTIAL ACCESS HEALTH | LOS ANGELES, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST BAY ALLIANCE FOR A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY | OAKLAND, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALIANZA COACHELLA VALLEY | COACHELLA, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE | OAKLAND, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA BLACK WOMEN'S HEALTH PROJECT | INGLEWOOD, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMITE CIVICO DEL VALLE INC | BRAWLEY, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN SUDANESE COMMUNITY CENTER OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITIES UNITED FOR RESTORATIVE YOUTH JUSTICE | OAKLAND, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GUARDIAN ORG FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $350,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR GUNS & LIES, A REPORTING PROJECT INVESTIGATING THE INTERSECTION OF HOW GUN ACCESS, TRAUMA, SOCIAL & ECONOMIC POLICIES, & POVERTY CONTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY VIOLENCE & SPOTLIGHTING MOST IMPACTED & COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS ACROSS CA. |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT RIVERSIDE | RIVERSIDE, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | FOR CORE OPERATING SUPPORT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO SUSTAIN ITS LEADERSHIP AMONG UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN STRENGTHENING THE PIPELINE FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES. |
| CALIFORNIA BLACK HEALTH NETWORK | SACRAMENTO, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALLIANCE FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE | OAKLAND, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH LAW | OAKLAND, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ONE FAIR WAGE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $325,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL COMPADRES NETWORK INC | SAN JOSE, CA | $325,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INCLUSIVE ACTION FOR THE CITY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $325,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINDCALL INSTITUTE | OAKLAND, CA | $325,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INCOME MOVEMENT FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $325,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY INITIATIVES | OAKLAND, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR LIVE FREE, USA TO ENGAGE IN POLICY ADVOCACY AND ORGANIZING TO ADVANCE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION EFFORTS IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA. |
| VISION Y COMPROMISO | SAN LORENZO, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FUTURE LEADERS OF AMERICA | OXNARD, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE | SACRAMENTO, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER FOR COLLABORATIVE PLANNING TO DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT AND EVALUATE A MULTI-DAY RETREAT FOR ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON PUBLIC POLICY EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF IMMIGRANTS IN CALIFORNIA. |
| GLOBAL IMPACT | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE FUND FOR A SAFER FUTURE AND EFFORTS TO INVEST IN TARGETED, PRACTICAL STRATEGIES TO REDUCE GUN INJURIES AND DEATHS NATIONALLY AND IN CALIFORNIA. |
| CENTER FOR EMPOWERED POLITICS EDUCATION FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE CALIFORNIA DOMESTIC WORKERS COALITION FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS IN CALIFORNIA. |
| CHILD CARE LAW CENTER | BERKELEY, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRANTMAKERS CONCERNED WITH IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES | PETALUMA, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR A POOLED FUND TO SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN CALIFORNIA. |
| CENTER ON POLICY INITIATIVES | SAN DIEGO, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE SAN DIEGO BLACK WORKER CENTER TO SUSTAIN AND STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO ADVANCE QUALITY JOBS, EQUITABLE HIRING, AND WORKERS RIGHTS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY. |
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR MOVE THE VALLEY TO ENHANCE INTEGRATED VOTER ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH AMONG LOW-INCOME, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN NINE COUNTIES IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY.
CORE OPERATING SUPPORT
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE DISABILITY INCLUSION FUND TO IMPROVE HEALTH EQUITY IN CALIFORNIA.
RESEARCH ACTION DESIGN LLC
$500,000FOR PROJECT SUPPORT TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT MEDICAL SCHOOL COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS FOR ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY IN MEDICAL EDUCATION.
CORE OPERATING SUPPORT
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE 40X40 COUNCIL TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE RISE EAST 10-YEAR PLAN TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS OF EAST OAKLAND.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRANTMAKERS
$500,000FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE BLACK EQUITY COLLECTIVE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD A REGIONAL, NETWORKED INFRASTRUCTURE OF BLACK-LED SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN CALIFORNIA.
CORE OPERATING SUPPORT
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT TO DEVELOP A PILOT FOR A COMMUNITY REFERRAL NETWORK IN THE BAY AREA TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WITH NEEDED HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR LATINO COALITION FOR A HEALTHY CALIFORNIA TO HELP LAUNCH A STATEWIDE MULTI-YEAR, MULTI-SECTORAL ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS THE LATINE PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE IN CALIFORNIA, INCLUDING PATHWAYS TO & THROUGH MEDICAL SCHOOL.
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT AND EFFORTS FOR PROJECT REBOUND AT CSU FULLERTON TO SUPPORT POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS IN ORANGE COUNTY FOR YOUTH INVOLVED WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE 40X40 COUNCIL TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE RISE EAST 10-YEAR PLAN TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS OF EAST OAKLAND.
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
$500,000FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR UCLA LABOR CENTER'S CENTER TO SUSTAIN AND STRENGTHEN THE BLACK WORKER CENTER MOVEMENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO ADVANCE QUALITY JOBS, EQUITABLE HIRING, AND WORKER JUSTICE.
SOUTHERN SUDANESE COMMUNITY CENTER OF SAN DIEGO
$400,000CORE OPERATING SUPPORT
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR GUNS & LIES, A REPORTING PROJECT INVESTIGATING THE INTERSECTION OF HOW GUN ACCESS, TRAUMA, SOCIAL & ECONOMIC POLICIES, & POVERTY CONTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY VIOLENCE & SPOTLIGHTING MOST IMPACTED & COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS ACROSS CA.
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT RIVERSIDE
$350,000FOR CORE OPERATING SUPPORT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO SUSTAIN ITS LEADERSHIP AMONG UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN STRENGTHENING THE PIPELINE FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES.
ONE FAIR WAGE INC
$325,000CORE OPERATING SUPPORT
INCOME MOVEMENT FOUNDATION
$325,000CORE OPERATING SUPPORT
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR LIVE FREE, USA TO ENGAGE IN POLICY ADVOCACY AND ORGANIZING TO ADVANCE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION EFFORTS IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA.
VISION Y COMPROMISO
$300,000CORE OPERATING SUPPORT
PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE
$300,000FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER FOR COLLABORATIVE PLANNING TO DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT AND EVALUATE A MULTI-DAY RETREAT FOR ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON PUBLIC POLICY EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF IMMIGRANTS IN CALIFORNIA.
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE FUND FOR A SAFER FUTURE AND EFFORTS TO INVEST IN TARGETED, PRACTICAL STRATEGIES TO REDUCE GUN INJURIES AND DEATHS NATIONALLY AND IN CALIFORNIA.
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE CALIFORNIA DOMESTIC WORKERS COALITION FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS IN CALIFORNIA.
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR A POOLED FUND TO SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN CALIFORNIA.
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE SAN DIEGO BLACK WORKER CENTER TO SUSTAIN AND STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO ADVANCE QUALITY JOBS, EQUITABLE HIRING, AND WORKERS RIGHTS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.