Latest News at NCG

Movement and nonprofit partners are our best defense against repressive policies that directly impact communities on the ground. As we depend on them to lead us in these fights, the collective resilience of the nonprofit workforce must be a sector-wide priority. The support for talent justice in the nonprofit sector is growing. Initiatives at The Walter & Elise Haas Fund, ReWork the Bay, Fund the People, and the James Irvine Foundation are investing in the long-term sustainability, agency, and belonging for nonprofit workers.

While many of us are grappling with the current political realities of our country and how to move forward, we are reminded of the importance of holding a bold and affirmative, long-term vision for a just multi-racial democracy. 

As the concepts of power sharing and trust-based philanthropy were gaining traction across philanthropy, co-creation was new for us – exciting, innovative, and full of potential. Over the next decade, we began to learn what it truly means to share power. Ultimately, the impact these three communities achieved across ten years is remarkable.

Ahead of the 2024 General Election, Philanthropy California — the statewide alliance of Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Northern California Grantmakers, and SoCal Grantmakers — stands firm in our commitment to a vibrant and inclusive democracy. We believe free and fair elections are vital, as are efforts to protect the integrity of our democratic institutions and processes. We are united in our commitment to advance policies that build healthy, thriving, and equitable communities across our state.

The looming election seems to be top of mind for many people, and certainly top of the news cycle. To some the election is signaling hope, but for others despair or apathy. I too, feel the knot in my stomach when thinking about the election, but not because I am worried about the results. For me, it’s because outcomes aside, I see the U.S. facing a rapid descent into fascism.

Sometimes a name only tells part of the story. When people hear that I lead Northern California Grantmakers, they often envision a membership that serves the greater Bay Area. It’s understandable, as people frequently use the two terms frequently, presuming that NCG is synonymous with Bay Area. It is not. To be clear, our 220 institutional and 4,000 individual members are distributed throughout and serve the 48 northernmost California counties, from Kern County to the Oregon border. This region is larger than any U.S.