New strategy, same mission

We understand that creating real impact doesn’t happen by chance. So, over the past year, we worked with our Board and took a detailed look at the Foundation’s programs, goals, and activities to ensure that each dollar we spend is put to its highest and best use. After careful examination and strategic thinking, we arrived at a new plan that will lead our grantmaking through 2016.

This updated strategy focuses the Foundation’s efforts around increasing access to services for vulnerable populations, and transforming California’s healthcare safety net and domestic violence systems. It also affirms our core mission and reinforces our two program areas – Health Care and Coverage and Blue Shield Against Violence. Following this blueprint, we can help ensure that we continue to invest in what matters, what works, and what will have the greatest impact for families and individuals across California.
 
The good news is that this plan will not change what we do, but rather how we do it. That means newly-invigorated investments in leadership and innovations that expand providers’ capacity, and improve integration, collaboration, and efficiency across the safety net. It will also help us bridge the divide between health care and domestic violence through partnerships that create new access points for survivors, and projects that prevent future abuse. As always, a guiding principle of our work is to prioritize the underserved.
 
With 7 million Californians still uninsured, and 1 in 4 women still experiencing domestic violence in their lifetimes, we are constantly reminded of the people at the end of our grantmaking. In order to improve these troubling statistics and make a real difference in the lives of those most in need, we must do more and do better - today, tomorrow, and through 2016.

This quarter, we committed more than $9.1 million to support projects designed to have immediate impacts and also lay the groundwork for longer-term changes. From enrollment and outreach to new mergers and technologies, these grants represent the first steps forward in advancing our strategic plan.  With less than 100 days until open enrollment begins for Covered California and Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act, it is critical that we have the right strategies in place to effectively transform health care and domestic violence systems and make tangible progress toward access for all.
 
We look forward to partnering with organizations and individuals across California to bring this new plan to life. We hope that you will continue with us on this important journey!