Latino Community Foundation

This Thanksgiving, we are deeply grateful for YOU—our community partners, LGCN members, and funding partners—who empower us to drive meaningful change in California and beyond! With love, culture, and power at the heart of our mission, we are building a future where Latino families thrive. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving! ??Your LCF Familia ??Recognize the artwork in this post? Tag the artists in the comments! ?? Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos Inc, TMC Community Capital, Lideres Campesinas

What an unforgettable Fireside Chat with Julián Castro, our CEO, and Greg Behrman, Founder & CEO of NationSwell! ? This meaningful discussion shed light on the intersection of economic mobility and social equity, focusing on how we can build inclusive, thriving communities. We are grateful to have heard powerful insights from these two leaders on linking public policy, private sector innovation, philanthropic investment, and community assets into comprehensive solutions that work for everyone. ? In the words of our CEO: "We have an opportunity in this moment to model what we want the world to look like and recommit ourselves to that vision." ? Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important conversation. Together, we can create equitable opportunities and a brighter future for all communities!

The Latino Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the appointment of two new board members: Hector Mujica, Head of Americas Philanthropy at Google.org, and Angelica Salas, Executive Director of CHIRLA. Their diverse expertise and commitment to Latino communities will strengthen LCF as we pursue our mission to unleash the civic and economic power of Latinos. The appointments of Hector Mujica and Angélica Salas to our board are pivotal for the Latino Community Foundation. Both are valued members of our Latino Giving Circle Network, and their remarkable leadership and unwavering commitment to empowering our communities will be instrumental in navigating the challenges ahead. Together, we will harness the power of grassroots movements and technological innovation to ensure that Latino voices are not only heard but prioritized in shaping our future. Help us welcome them home! Learn more about our two newest board members here: https://lnkd.in/gPtgsQ4w

The Latino Community Foundation is proud to relaunch our Latino Power Fund! This fund is dedicated to supporting Latino-led organizations and amplifying the voices creating meaningful change in our communities. Learn more about how you can support our Latino Power Fund in our latest Nuestra Voz blog: https://lnkd.in/giumeysk

?? We're #Hiring a Controller at the Latino Community Foundation! ?? The LCF familia is growing! Join our team as a Controller and play a pivotal role in supporting our expanding operations. This role is ideal for finance professionals passionate about community-driven change. Be part of a mission-driven organization making an impact in our communities! ?? Share with a friend or apply now! bit.ly/LcfController

? Latino Nonprofit Accelerator Spotlight?: On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, LCF highlights El/La Para Translatinas, the only organization led by and for the transgender, intersex and gender expansive Latinx community in Northern California. They’re fierce advocates and leaders who know it’s all on us to protect, love, and grow ourselves and each other. ?? El/La serves as a sanctuary, often the only place where their participants can fully express who they are without fear. Every time someone from the @El/La community secures asylum, receives respectful health care, finds employment, secures housing, enrolls in school, or fulfills a dream, they celebrate. Through events, workshops, celebrations, retreats, and drop-in spaces, they provide transgender, intersex, and gender-expansive community members a place to belong, opportunities to learn and heal, and a family who is on their side. At El/La, TransLatinas tap into their power and develop their leadership as staff members, board members, advocates, volunteers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and more! ?? Recognize the artwork in this post? Tag the artists in the comments! Hire Trans Folks mural created by: Marcel Pardo Ariza

??LCF Team Member Spotlight??: On this National Entrepreneurship Day, we'd like to shine a spotlight on our Entrepreneurship Director, Veronica Vences, who is dedicated to helping Latinos unleash their entrepreneurial poder! The belief that economic justice is social justice has long been a core value that has shaped Veronica’s service and commitment to the comunidad. Born and raised in Sonoma County where her parents settled to work the land after emigrating from Mexico, Veronica knows that she stands on the shoulders of many who have sacrificed a great deal to pave her path toward a better future. Fueled by her family experiences, she believes everyone deserves access to resources and opportunities to thrive. This is why she is dedicated to helping Latino small businesses through our Latino Captial Accelerator program! Veronica's current role at LCF involves spearheading transformative initiatives aimed at addressing social inequities and fostering sustainable economic change. Since 2022, LCF has invested over $2 million in 28 organizations across California, from directly providing Latino entrepreneurs with mini-grants to closing government contract gaps for small businesses, Veronica has been an instrumental part of ensuring our communities are resourced and supported. She has also played in role in shaping the Promotora Cooperative Initiative- a community-led innovation program shaping the landscape of Latina entrepreneurs in Northern California. This year, she also spearheaded the launch of our newest program, the Latino Capital Accelerator ensuring that our Latino Entrepreneurs have access to capital through the support of Latino-led CDFI's, mission-driven financial institutions. Veronica Vences has over a decade of experience working with community organizations to improve the lives of Latinos in California. Her professional career includes administering government programs, community participatory research, and nonprofit leadership. Most recently, she served for seven years at La Luz Center, Sonoma Valley’s leading Latino advocacy organization. She has been on “ground-zero” while two major crises hit the community: the Northern California Wildfires of 2017 and COVID-19. She witnessed first-hand the devastation these events caused on our hard-working Latino community, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. Veronica received bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Urban Studies from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in Applied Economics from San Jose State University. Veronica enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons and taking them to cultural events throughout California. With deep roots in Michoacan, she enjoys taking family trips there where she continuously falls in love with the food, people, and culture. The ability to build community, with community is her biggest motivator!

“We have to be prepared to make sure that in the coming years, everyone in this country has an opportunity to be treated with dignity, with respect. To feel safe and secure.” Watch our CEO, Julián Castro discuss what this election means on Comunidad del Valle with Damian Trujillo of NBC Bay Area: https://lnkd.in/gFtKPhWH

?? Job Alert: We're #hiring a Controller at the Latino Community Foundation! ?? The LCF familia is growing, and we're looking for a talented Controller to join our team! This key role will support LCF's expanding operations and report directly to our CFO. This role is perfect for someone with experience in finance and a passion for supporting impactful, community-driven work. Help us make a difference! ?? Learn more: bit.ly/LcfController

The Latino Community Foundation is stepping up in a moment of challenge, partnering with community leaders to transform lessons from the past into actions that drive real impact. Through our #LatinoPowerFund, we are fueling grassroots leaders who are advancing justice, amplifying civic leadership, and creating lasting pathways to opportunity across California—especially as we look ahead to the policies and priorities of the President-Elect’s administration. Now is the time to invest in our future. Join us in supporting Latino voices, strengthening our nonprofits, and building a resilient ecosystem where our communities can thrive. Together, we are driving change for a just, equitable future. Visit latinocf.org/power/ to learn how you can support our Latino Power Fund!