June 2021 Grant Announcement: Addressing root causes of violence and inequity.
As California emerges from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic with optimism, resolve, and many lessons learned, Blue Shield of California Foundation continues to invest in lasting solutions that address the root causes of health inequity and domestic violence in our state. At its meeting on June 17, 2021, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved 22 grants, totaling $7.5 million, to organizations that advance our mission to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence.
“This past year has demonstrated the need for domestic violence prevention and healing within communities, as the pandemic exacerbated many root causes of violence,” said Foundation President and CEO Debbie I. Chang, MPH.
“COVID-19 also spotlighted the importance of protections for workers, as well as access to paid sick and family leave to take care of themselves or their loved ones, and it proved the effectiveness of community-driven solutions such as eviction protections. Our grantees exemplify efforts to equip communities with the resources they need to create change and demand health equity for Californians.”
The latest slate of grantees includes California Immigrant Policy Center, which is working to close the income and wealth disparities gap for immigrant families across the state.
“Our work with marginalized immigrants is even more critical now after four years of hardship under the last administration and 15 months under the pandemic, which exposed the deep inequities faced by BIPOC and immigrant communities. These inequities require sophisticated advocacy responses and a commitment to systems change,” said Cynthia Buiza, Executive Director of the California Immigrant Policy Center. “There are real opportunities at the state level to address these new challenges under the so-called ‘new normal.’ The Foundation's support will allow us to continue to engage in the current moment, work toward transforming racist systems, and allow us the necessary tools and resources to create a new bold vision for our communities in California, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Among the grantees focusing on healing from and preventing domestic violence are the Women’s Foundation of California, supporting 126 domestic violence organizations statewide as they recover from the pandemic; the Contra Costa Family Justice Center Alliance, which is working on community restorative justice solutions; and the California Black Women’s Health Project. The project’s innovative Anti-Violence Ventures programming creates safe, affirming spaces for Black men and boys to engage in community conversations about preventing domestic violence.
“Violence at all levels in Black communities is deeply rooted in racism, sexism, economic insecurity, mental health challenges, stigma, perceptions of what constitutes abuse, distrust of law enforcement, and the limited availability of culturally humble prevention and early intervention practices,” says Sonya Young Aadam, CEO of California Black Women's Health Project. “Anti-Violence Ventures centers Black men’s voices and experiences to address these complexities and explore violence prevention solutions in Black relationships, homes, and neighborhoods.”
Another grantee that partners with communities to find solutions is Shift Health Accelerator, which brings together community and public- and private-sector leaders to change how health care systems invest in health equity.
“We must accelerate change by simplifying access to the money and technical expertise communities need to increase their health,” said Lisa Richardson with the Shift Health Accelerator Leadership Team, “and by changing systems like health care, food, housing and criminal justice that stand in the way of racial and health equity.”
“We're excited to partner with this impressive set of grantees,” said Chang. “They are making an impact by empowering the communities they serve to advance health equity and promote healing and prevention of domestic violence.”
Learn more about all of this quarter’s grantees below and in our grants database.
To provide general operating support to conduct independent fiscal and policy analysis and public education with the goal of improving public policies affecting the economic and social well-being of low- and middle-income Californians.
To provide general operating support to make child care a civil right and bring equity and justice to child care polices for every family, child, and child care provider.
To continue advocacy and outreach efforts that promote inclusive, equitable, and effective implementation of tax credits and other income supports and benefits for immigrants and working families across California.
To advocate for expansion and equitable implementation of paid leave policies and educate community organizations and residents about existing paid leave benefits.
To expand access to tax credits for low-income Californians and communities of color to improve economic security and health.
To create safe spaces for Black men and boys to engage in community conversations and activities designed to prevent domestic violence in the Black community.
To continue support for a restorative justice and domestic violence prevention pilot model in Contra Costa County that promotes healing, reduces incarceration, and builds capacity to scale community restorative justice solutions for survivors and families.
To support resilience in young people by implementing and evaluating an innovative school program curriculum that promotes culture and family history as protective factors, fosters positive social connections, and builds behaviors to prevent domestic violence across generations.
To build the capacity of community leaders to activate their networks through community conversations and action to prevent domestic violence.
To provide support for sustainability planning and development of the next phase of the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative (CACHI).
To support technical assistance that empowers community leaders to move public and private health systems toward allocating more resources to community-driven strategies for addressing local health equity priorities and improving local health outcomes.
To expand access to tax credits for low-income Californians and communities of color to improve economic security and health.
To provide general operating support to Project Hope which produces Health Affairs, an influential digital and print platform that elevates health issues, including the social determinants of health, and supports the broad distribution of health research, practice, and information.
To provide general operating support to provide data and create insight so philanthropic funders can better define, assess, and improve their effectiveness — and, as a result, their intended impact.
To provide general operating support for advancing immigrant justice and belonging, galvanizing the philanthropic partners.
To support the efforts of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations who provides opportunities for grantmakers to come together to share knowledge and inspire each other to act.
To provide general operating support for Grantmakers in Health, a national convener of health grantmakers who generates and disseminates information about health issues and grantmaking strategies by offering information through issue-focused forums, webinars, workshops, and convenings.
To support the efforts of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice to facilitate dialogue and inform action around the metrics and science, resources and policy, and relationship and communication needed to transform the conditions for equitable health and well-being in communities.
To provide general operating support to the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy on their work to move the field of philanthropy to be more accountable, transparent, and responsive to the needs of communities with the least wealth, opportunity, and power.
To provide general operating support to Northern California Grantmakers, who brings together foundations and other key stakeholders to tackle the region’s most pressing social issues, pool resources, share information, and learn from each other, with the intent to build healthy, thriving, and just communities together.
To provide general operating support for San Diego Grantmakers to achieve an equitable, collaborative, and impactful social change ecosystem that improves the lives of all residents in the San Diego region.
To provide general operating support for Southern California Grantmakers, a regional association who works to mobilize people and organizations in philanthropy to achieve their missions by fostering an inclusive community that learns and takes bold action to create an equitable and thriving society.
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