Building a Thriving Region: Equitable Investments for Nonprofit and Community Vibrancy
Envision a future where every community in Northern California flourishes, where shared prosperity becomes a reality. Our region, celebrated for its diversity and innovation, stands at the forefront of social progress and economic vitality. Yet, amidst this vibrant tapestry, many individuals—particularly Black, Indigenous, and other people of color—struggle to sustain themselves in the communities they call home.
Through our inescapable mutuality, we are still witnessing philanthropic giving lacking in areas that need it most, while nonprofits in these regions struggle with limited capacity. Funders struggle to give when nonprofit infrastructure is inadequate in these regions, yet nonprofits can’t provide services if they don’t have funding to do their work. How do we start acting as a region? How can we fund beyond our limits, act differently, and support nonprofits that may not always have the funds they need to serve their communities?
In this funder-focused webinar, we will:
- Use data to expand philanthropic dollars and support to high-need areas
- Understand infrastructure and capacity needs of these regions
- Highlight where philanthropy can lean in and support infrastructure and capacity needs
This webinar is co-hosted by Northern California Grantmakers (NCG) and United Way Bay Area (UWBA). It is a follow up to NCG's Annual Conference Session, “Building a Thriving Region: Philanthropy’s Role in Northern California and builds on UWBA’s report, Understanding Poverty and Philanthropic Giving Disparities in the Bay Area.
Speakers
Glen Galaich
Glen Galaich
Glen Galaich, Ph.D. (he/him) joined Stupski Foundation as CEO in 2015.
His professional mission is to support equity, justice, and dignity in solidarity with communities that have been denied these essential values throughout history. He is committed to combating systemic racism, sexism, and discrimination in all its forms; reducing practices of donor control at institutional foundations that restrict resources to organizations led by and working with people of color; and supporting a multiracial democracy.
As CEO of Stupski Foundation, he is invested in advancing food justice, economic empowerment, postsecondary success, and health equity in the San Francisco Bay Area and Hawaiʻi. Learn more about the mission and vision of the Stupski Foundation.
Glen previously served as CEO of The Philanthropy Workshop (now Forward Global), whose mission is to educate, inspire, and activate a peer network of philanthropists. His career in strategic philanthropy started with the founding team of the Global Philanthropy Forum. He also served at Human Rights Watch as the deputy director of development for North America.
Glen has written and published on the role of ethnicity in the formation of political parties and human rights and in the use of political violence and repression in sub-Saharan Africa. Glen holds a doctorate and master’s in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California at San Diego. He currently serves on the boards of Article3.org, Next River, Northern California Grantmakers, and Forward Global.
Cristál Gallegos
Cristál Gallegos
Cristál is the Senior Organizer for Vallejo Housing Justice Coalition (VHJC) which is a project incubated by Urban Habitat. VHJC believes that housing is a human right and that evictions are a form of state sanctioned violence and are always inhumane. VHJC centers the voice of Vallejo tenants and those displaced by harmful policies that favor corporate landlords over the human right to housing. Cristál comes to VHJC with over 12 years of experience organizing in impacted communities in Arizona, New York, Oregon and California focusing on anti-racist movement building and leadership development. Cristál earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and in Raza Studies from San Francisco State University. In her free time, she is sure to be found frolicking with her best friend Lotus- a 7-year-old pocket bully, or discovering new plant-based recipes in her home kitchen.
Hana Ma
Hana Ma
Hana Ma (she/her) serves as the Senior Program Officer, Regional Agenda in the Silicon Valley Program. In this role, she collaborates with partners to support low-income students in Silicon Valley to attend and persist through college and connect them to first good jobs.
Previously, Hana led The Education Trust – West’s early learning portfolio and contributed to research and analysis of policies and practices in support of educator diversity and educational equity for California’s students. She also supported grantmaking in education policy and advocacy at the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and led an afterschool employment program for immigrant youth in San Francisco. Outside of education, Hana has represented children seeking asylum in immigration court and served as a re-entry social worker for adults on parole.
Hana grew up in Taiwan and spent the latter part of her childhood in San José. She holds B.A. degrees in French and Psychology from UCLA and a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law. She serves on the board of Partnership for Children and Youth and volunteers as a pro bono attorney with Tahirih Justice Center, a tutor with Healthy Cities Tutoring, and a mentor at Sequoia High School. Outside of work, Hana finds joy in spending time with her two energetic and curious young children.
Yumi Sera
Yumi Sera
Yumi Sera is the inaugural Executive Director of the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, she is responsible for leading a dedicated state team that manages California’s most pressing community engagement and public awareness efforts.
With equity at its core, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) coordinates statewide outreach efforts with trusted community partners to directly engage Californians – particularly those experiencing the greatest health and social inequities – and provide them with culturally competent and accessible information and resources.
Yumi brings over 30 years of experience with state government, philanthropic, and community organizations to develop innovative, inclusive, and results-oriented programs. Prior to this position, she was the Strategic Advisor to California’s Vaccinate ALL 58 Campaign and the Deputy Director of Statewide Initiatives for the California Complete Count - Census 2020. She has worked globally in philanthropy, focusing on the human rights of Indigenous Peoples and people with disabilities. She served on the World Bank Participation and Civic Engagement group to promote sustainable development throughout the world. She got her start in the nonprofit sector working internationally with youth and environmental action. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Senegal. She has a Master of Public and Private Management from the Yale School of Management and a BA from Lewis and Clark College.