In steadfast support of California communities, Foundation gives $6.5 million
Blue Shield of California Foundation is investing another $6.53 million, in communities statewide, toward its mission to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence.
At their second meeting of 2025, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a package of grants designed to advance the Foundation’s core strategies: to strengthen economic security and mobility, break the cycle of domestic violence, and align systems with community priorities. In addition, the Foundation has made multiple rapid-response grants this quarter to organizations defending the health, safety, and economic security of California communities.
“Now more than ever, foundations including ours play a critical role in community health, safety, and well-being,” said Debbie I. Chang, MPH, president and CEO. “We are proud to stand with our grantee partners serving California communities of color with low incomes.”
Align systems with community priorities: total grants of $1.74 million
Several Foundation partners are working to change systems and policies in California so that they better reflect and serve community needs.
“Thanks to support from Blue Shield of California Foundation, Public Health Advocates and our community partners are co-powering Defend California, a statewide movement to protect the public health and social systems underserved communities depend on,” said Executive Director Dr. Harold Goldstein. Public Health Advocates is receiving a two-year, $375,000 grant. “This funding helps youth and adults become trusted messengers who confidently counter disinformation and organize for a just, healthy, and equitable future for themselves, their families, and communities.”
Another grantee partner, California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative (CACHI), will use $450,000 over two years to support its network of collaboratives around the state that are focused on health equity. State of Equity, a project of Public Health Institute, will continue to advance health and racial equity work in government with $475,000 over two years.
Break the cycle of domestic violence: total grants of $1.76 million
Some of California’s strongest advocates for domestic violence prevention can continue to rely on the Foundation’s support. Two-year grants are going to Futures Without Violence ($600,000), California Partnership to End Domestic Violence ($640,000), and Alliance for Girls ($520,000).
“Thanks to the generous support of Blue Shield of California Foundation, Alliance for Girls is advancing its mission to protect the well-being of girls and gender-expansive youth of color in California — communities disproportionately impacted by systemic inequities and violence,” said Chantal Hildebrand, the new co-executive director.
“This investment empowers Alliance for Girls to mobilize our powerful network of over 120 organizations in our membership collectively serving over 300,000 youth, to ensure coordinated systems of care, access to critical resources and information, and bold, data-driven advocacy,” Hildebrand said. “At a time when gender equity is under threat and vital programs face devastating cuts, we thank Blue Shield of California Foundation for standing as a steadfast ally in the fight for justice.”
Strengthen economic security and mobility: total grants of $900,000
The Foundation and its partners will continue to elevate stories of the policies and systems that advance — or hinder — Californians’ economic security and mobility. This quarter, grants totaling $350,000 will go toward supporting journalism uncovering deep economic inequities in our state and what solutions are possible to improve Californians’ health and well-being. Among these grants, $50,000 to Capital & Main will support their State of Inequality column investigating, among other things, issues in California’s care economy.
“Independent, fact-based journalism has never been more vital than it is at this perilous moment, when the rights and well-being of so many people are in jeopardy,” said Founder and Publisher Danny Feingold. “Capital & Main is deeply grateful for the philanthropic support that has enabled us to produce deep reporting on the most critical issues facing California and its residents — particularly the most vulnerable.”
Other grantmaking to advance our mission
The Foundation’s rapid-response investments this quarter include significant contributions to the California Community Foundation and San Francisco Foundation funds serving some of the state’s most vulnerable populations.
“Together with our partners, we will continue to work toward a California free of domestic violence, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and achieve optimal health,” Chang said. “Our goals are bold. In steady partnership, we can reach them.”
For a complete list of current grants and more information on all the Foundation’s grantmaking, please see our grants database. We also support grantees on social media (find us on LinkedIn and Instagram), and feature their work in our newsletter, Intersections.
To report on the deep economic inequality issues across California with the goal of reaching policymakers to advance policies and solutions to improve the economic security, health, and well-being of Californians with low incomes.
To continue to produce the State of Inequality column that examines income inequality across our state, with the goal of reaching decision-makers and supporting policy change to improve economic security, health, and well-being of Californians with low incomes.
To establish a domestic violence and homelessness coalition in Alameda County to prevent and address homelessness among survivors of domestic violence.
To provide general operating support to Golden State Opportunity, a nonprofit dedicated to ending poverty in California by providing all Californians with the tools to build financial well-being and thrive, contributing to greater health equity and breaking the cycle of domestic violence in the state.
To expand and strengthen the advocacy, partnerships, and capacity of the Prosper California Coalition, leading to greater economic security and health equity for Californians.
To provide general operating support to Alliance for Girls to prevent gender-based violence and support safety for girls and gender expansive youth of color in California.
To provide general operating support to California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, California’s statewide domestic violence coalition, to support work with member organizations and allies to advance domestic violence prevention through policy change, practice innovation, capacity building, and strategic communications.
To support implementation of a state and federal domestic violence prevention policy agenda by strengthening partnerships, building advocacy capacity, and expanding communications.
To provide general operating support to the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative (CACHI), a network of community-driven health collaboratives advancing health equity in California.
To develop an evaluation plan with measures and tools that assess implementation and impact of the State of California’s Racial Equity Commission Framework.
To provide general operating support to Public Health Advocates, a leading statewide policy and advocacy organization focused on promoting health equity, strengthening public health and prevention policies, and promoting norms that foster health and social justice.
To provide general operating support to State of Equity, which equips state government to adopt policies and practices that advance racial equity and increase accountability to communities.
To support the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition to advocate for health equity policy and systems changes across the social determinants of health.
To provide support to Expanding the Bench scholar program to build the capacity and infrastructure for diverse leaders across California to apply Culturally Responsive and Equitable Evaluation principles and practices.
To build the capacity of Foundation grantees and other California nonprofits to advocate for policies that improve health equity and prevent domestic violence by providing workshops, tailored technical assistance, and written resources (in Spanish and English) on regulations and laws on lobbying and advocacy.
To build the capacity of Foundation grantees and other California nonprofits to advocate for policies that improve health equity and prevent domestic violence by providing workshops, tailored technical assistance, and written resources (in Spanish and English) on regulations and laws on lobbying and advocacy.
To support a pooled fund to bolster coordination, advocacy, and resources for vulnerable immigrant populations, including domestic violence survivors.
To support the pooled fund for California, a coordinated statewide response that aims to protect the most vulnerable residents.
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