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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.
The Resourcing Resilience report, created in partnership between Philanthropy California and Nonprofit Finance Fund, provides a landscape analysis of public and philanthropic investments in climate resilience and serves as a call to action for both sectors to unlock pathways to more equitable, accessible funding. Philanthropic and government funders have important roles to play in addressing the real challenges communities face when securing funding for their work on climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster resilience. Neither can achieve meaningful and equitable climate action alone, and community-led solutions require coordinated public and private support. The actions recommended in this report outline a path forward for ensuring communities are able to access funding they need.
With a new President, Administration, and Congress, critical federal safety net programs that support children and families including Medicaid, SNAP, housing, and early childhood, are likely to face serious cuts this year. A high-stakes tax policy debate that includes $4 trillion in tax cuts from the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act will set the stage for reductions in health and human service programs that will impact every community in America and touch every corner of philanthropic work — early childhood, health care, state and local government services, climate change, housing, senior services, family support services, and much more. Learn more about key battles and opportunities and what’s at stake and in play in 2025 and beyond.