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NCG's Racial Equity Action Institute centers racial equity with an intersectional framework that recognizes the ways race is shaped and informed by class, gender, sexuality, and ability. Learn more about the annual cohort and how to apply here.
In the face of profound political and societal challenges, philanthropy is called to lead boldly, moving beyond reactive and defensive strategies toward a proactive, equity-driven approach. At NCG's 2025 Annual Conference, "Becoming Our Vision," we will collectively explore how philanthropy can align its practices to support communities in defining and realizing their own futures.
Last fall in partnership with United Way Bay Area (UWBA) we hosted a series of events and discussions on the disparities of philanthropic support in Northern California and how we can build a thriving region by addressing the historical disinvestment and steps philanthropy can take to increase equitable giving.
The 2024 election results revealed a far less progressive California than is often characterized. This regressive and dangerous political landscape raises many questions for state funders committed to investing in communities impacted by prisons, policing, and criminalization. How do we most effectively orient ourselves and our work in this context? What relationships do we need to nourish and build to sustain our collective efforts? What is the courageous stance for California funders now?
The fight for climate justice is at a critical crossroads. While California has positioned itself as a global leader in addressing the climate crisis, the impacts of climate change are accelerating—hitting the state’s most vulnerable communities the hardest. Decades of underinvestment have made it difficult for frontline communities to scale the bold solutions needed to meet this moment, deepening already stark economic, social, and health disparities. At the federal level, progress made under the Biden Administration is under threat, with efforts to roll back environmental protections, eliminate historic federal funding, and even criminalize organizations working toward climate resilience. Now more than ever, California, and particularly the philanthropic sector, must not only hold the line but push forward, ensuring that the path toward a Just Transition gains momentum rather than stalls.
As the impacts of climate change continue to wreak havoc, philanthropy’s role in supporting disaster-affected communities remains essential to achieving equitable recoveries and building resilience before the next disaster. Philanthropy California (Philanthropy CA) has long monitored wildfire & natural hazard events, provided resources and timely programming to support funder awareness and collaboration, and partnered with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to support immediate disaster relief as well as long-term recovery efforts. As part of Philanthropy California, NCG supports SoCal Grantmakers and Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties in their response to catastrophic disasters that may go beyond the ability of regional staff capacity. The firestorm in Los Angeles is a poignant example of how staff across Philanthropy California step up during times of crisis.
According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, philanthropy invests most of its dollars immediately following a disaster, when media attention is at its peak. However, less than 10% of our philanthropic dollars go toward reducing hazard risk and preparing our communities for disasters.