California Community Foundation

For Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting Comunidades Indigenas en Liderazgo (CIELO) — a powerful, women-led organization leading substantive solutions for Indigenous communities in Los Angeles. They fight for social justice through a cultural lens, advocating for language access, reproductive justice, cultural preservation, and an end to gender-based violence. When the wildfires devastated LA, Indigenous families were hugely affected – losing homes and livelihoods. Nearly 40% of Indigenous workers were in restaurants, domestic work, or gardening — some of the hardest hit industries. CIELO acted immediately, delivering weekly food boxes and getting emergency funds into the hands of those who needed it most. They also assembled care packages for firefighters and the Mexican military who came to help. This is Guzuna — a Zapotec word for “collective work for the collective good.” It’s the spirit that drives everything CIELO does. As a grantee of our Wildfire Recovery Fund, they’re continuing to advocate for healthcare, housing, legal aid, and more to ensure Indigenous communities are supported. ?? #WomensHistoryMonth #CIELOLA #WildfireRecovery

In January, when the wildfires in Los Angeles County caused widespread damage, CCF quickly raised funds and within 5 weeks and provided over $30 million in grants to nearly 200 nonprofit organizations to help those most in need. These resources are helping Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents including renters, seniors, children, small business owners, and displaced workers access direct financial aid, legal assistance, housing support, and food assistance. We are committed to transparency and ensuring that donors can see exactly where their contributions are making an impact, providing clear insights into how these funds are being distributed. Guided by FEMA best practices for disasters, CCF is following a “Response-Recovery-Rebuild” model that prioritizes rehousing wildfire survivors, providing relief for displaced workers, reopening small businesses, and restoring essential community infrastructure. Our grants aim to help vulnerable people, such as immigrants, disabled people, and senior citizens, who are often overlooked during crises. These individuals frequently don’t qualify for aid or face barriers when completing applications for assistance, insurance, and other necessary paperwork. To further guide investments, CCF leverages tools like the Healthy Places Index, which helps map out social conditions that can drive health outcomes – like income, access to green space, and housing. All of our quantitative data is then validated by our team of program officers, who leverage their network of community partners to gain a fuller picture of needs on the ground. As we move further along the recovery arc, we will continue working in collaboration with trusted nonprofit partners with deep community ties in the impacted areas to ensure our funding is meeting evolving needs and reaching those who need it most. For more information on our Wildfire Recovery Fund and grantees, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gDCuPZ2Z

We are proud to spotlight our Wildfire Recovery grantee, LOS ANGELES SECTION NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN, INC., in honor of Women’s History Month. Their work ensures economic justice and equity for women in Los Angeles through direct cash assistance, skill building, and advocating for policies that safeguard women’s financial stability and prosperity. In response to the wildfires, they quickly activated their donation centers and stocked their stores with essential items like clothing, hygiene products, and other necessities available to families rebuilding. They also launched the LA Fire Relief website with donation links, resources, and hands-on assistance from their staff – all to support Angelenos who lost everything in January. We are in awe of their dedication to helping vulnerable women in Los Angeles support themselves and their families to ultimately thrive – especially in the aftermath of the fires. ??

This Thursday, March 13th at 7 pm PT, our President & CEO Miguel Santana will speak on a panel titled “What Alliances Do We Need in Perilous Times?” moderated by Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times Columnist, and Joe Mathews, Zócalo Public Square Columnist and Democracy Local Founder. Miguel will speak alongside Altadena business owner Nadeerah Faquir, Center for Cultural Innovation president and CEO Angie Kim, climate action strategist Nina Knierim about how alliances are rebuilding Los Angeles in the wake of January’s fires. We hope you can join us or tune in via the live stream on YouTube! Date & Time: Thursday, March 13, 2025 7pm – 9:15pm PDT Location: ASU California Center Broadway 1111 S. Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015 For more details and the live stream link, please visit zps.la/alliances

Join us in celebrating the incredible visionaries, changemakers, and trailblazers in our community and across the globe this #InternationalWomensDay! IWD has been around for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women's advancement. At CCF, we are proud to partner with many organizations driving women's causes forward, as well as recognize the women who are leading the charge in providing critical aid to those in need after the LA wildfires. Throughout this month, we will continue to highlight grantees and organizations doing this life-saving work. We hope you check them out! Today, we encourage you to honor women's achievements! If there’s a woman who inspires you, tag them here for us to celebrate all that they do! ??♀ #CCF #IWD2025

We're #hiring a new Donor Relations Manager in Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Donor Relations Officer in Los Angeles, California. Apply today or share this post with your network.

During the recent wildfires, Brown Bag Lady went above and beyond by partnering with local organizations to deliver food, resources, and support to those affected. Their coordinated efforts ensured that no one was left behind, demonstrating the true spirit of community care. As one of our #LAStrong Grantees, Brown Bag Lady is a grassroots nonprofit founded by the inspiring Jacqueline Norvell. The organization is dedicated to serving unhoused and vulnerable individuals across Southern California by providing meals, essential supplies, hygiene products, and above all, compassion. This #WomensHistoryMonth, we are proud to honor Brown Bag Lady for their tireless work and unwavering commitment to uplifting those experiencing homelessness. Their impact extends beyond crisis response, offering hope and dignity to those most need it. Please check out their work here: https://lnkd.in/gDAX6st Thank you to Jacqueline Norvell and the entire Brown Bag Lady team for being true community champions—today and every day! Learn more about Wildfire Recovery Fund on our website, calfund.org.

When the fires tore through Palisades and Altadena, they didn’t just destroy homes and businesses—they also took places of worship. These churches, synagogues, and temples weren’t just buildings; they were vital community anchors that offered sanctuary and hope when it was needed most. Their loss is felt deeply, but together, we can and will rebuild. Pastor John Shaver, the leader of the United Methodist Church that was destroyed in the Palisades wildfire, knows this loss firsthand. In our latest #LAStrong video, he shared how critical funding has been for his organization at a time when the community needs faith - and each other. "We are creating spaces for hope and healing throughout Los Angeles.” He shares an inspiring message about how places of worship, often the heart of community support, are rebuilding and staying committed to serving those in need. Watch our video to hear his powerful words firsthand. ??

The California Community Foundation is thrilled to announce key leadership updates that will drive our mission forward in Los Angeles County and beyond. Cielo Castro?– Chief Officer of Policy and Programs Peter Hong?– Vice President of Marketing and Communications Ebenezer "Ebe" Puplampu?– Vice President of People and Culture Brooke Pinnix-Gaines?– Vice President of Donor Relations Carol Bradford Worley?– General Counsel Their leadership will help advance equity, resilience, and community-driven change. Learn more and get involved at?www.calfund.org. #Leadership #CommunityImpact #Equity #LA