Stories Archive - The California Wellness Foundation

Lessons From the Klamath: Youth, Empowerment, and Renewal

Stephanie Myers — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 20:47:22 +0000

I will never forget the moment when youth paddlers came into view on the Klamath River. The community surrounded them on the banks, their cheers traveled across the water, meeting the kayakers as they entered the final stretch of a journey that had taken them more than 300 miles. Parents stood nearby, watching their children reclaim waters that had been blocked for generations. It felt like the very definition of “it takes a village.” Every meal, every gesture of support, every voice lifted was part of making this return possible.

This summer, dozens of Native youth from tribes along the river embarked on a month-long paddle down the undammed Klamath. Organized by Ríos to Rivers and their Paddle Tribal Waters program, the journey was a way for young people to be the first to reconnect with stretches of their river that had been closed to their families for generations. Danielle Frank, a Hoopa tribal member and Yurok descendant as well as the Director of Development & Community Relations at Rios to Rivers, introduced us to the Paddle Tribal Waters program and invited us to bear witness to this historic event. The program’s mission is to inspire the protection of rivers through youth-focused programs, where youth are empowered to become informed stewards and ambassadors for their rivers and the communities who depend on them.

(Photo credit: Matt Baker/Rios to Rivers)

To understand why this moment mattered so deeply, it helps to know the history. The Klamath River in Northern California and Southern Oregon was once one of the most abundant salmon runs in the country. But in the early 20th century, four massive dams were built that choked off salmon migration and devastated Native tribes along the river who depended on the salmon for food, ceremony, and cultural survival. After decades of relentless advocacy led by Tribal nations, federal regulators finally approved the removal of the dams in 2022. By 2024, the dams were gone, making this the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. (Two dams remain on the Klamath, the Kino and Link River Dams.) Almost immediately, salmon began to return to waters they had not reached in more than a century.

At Cal Wellness, we understand that wellness for Native communities cannot be separated from land, water, food, and ceremony. For too long, philanthropy has overlooked cultural sustenance as central to health. But when tribes cannot access salmon or sacred sites, that is a direct harm to wellness. Our support of programs like Paddle Tribal Waters, which trained Native youth to be the first to paddle the undammed river, reflects our commitment to understanding wellness on Native terms.

For me, being present at this historic moment (alongside Cal Wellness Program Officer Marisol Inzunza) was humbling and deeply moving. We had the privilege of hearing from the youth themselves after they completed the paddle. They spoke with a clarity that comes from knowing exactly who they are, what their ancestors endured, and what their grandchildren will inherit because of their actions. One young paddler said, “My grandchildren are going to know I did this.” That simple statement carried the weight of centuries of advocacy, resilience, and hope.

Marisol Inzunza and Marisabel Hernández, colleagues on Cal Wellness' Programs team, stand on the beach where the Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean.

This was never just about removing dams. From what I learned, for Native communities, the Klamath is not simply a river. It is sacred. It carries the stories of creation and sustains life through the salmon, who are understood as ancestors and kin. Colonization and the dams that followed severed those ties, but what we are witnessing now is the restoration of both ecology and culture. Seeing salmon return almost immediately after the dams came down was a profound reminder that Native communities had been right all along: when you restore balance, life returns.

This work also sits at the intersection of environmental justice, cultural preservation, and youth leadership. Native youth are honoring the generations who fought for this moment and are helping ensure a future where salmon and ceremonies remain strong and abundant, and their leadership is setting an example in California and across the world. I was struck by the presence of Indigenous allies from Chile, New Zealand, and Bolivia who joined the paddle, carrying lessons home to their own communities fighting for rivers and sovereignty.

What I hope philanthropy takes away from this moment is that Native communities have always known what they need. They have been saying it for generations. Moreover, research consistently highlights that Native Tribal practices (rooted in culture, land, spirituality, diet, and music) are powerful avenues for health and wellness. They enhance community resilience, address chronic disease and trauma, improve mental health, and restore balance in personal and collective life. Our role is not to prescribe solutions, but to listen, follow, and resource the work that is already happening. When funders approach this work with humility and respect, when we understand that we are guests, authentic partnerships can flourish.

As I stood on the riverbank, I felt immense gratitude for the invitation to bear witness to this historic return. It was a reminder that the most powerful role we can play as funders is to stand alongside communities, not in front of them. For me, it comes down to lifting up Native leaders and supporting their visions for wellness. When we do that, it feels like we’re living up to our purpose.

Youth run from the Klamath River to the ocean along the sandbar. (Photo credit: Erik Boomer/Rios to Rivers)

Program Coordinator Marisabel Hernández

Marisabel Hernández is program coordinator at The California Wellness Foundation where they provide strategic and administrative support.

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“Silence Won’t Save Us”: Using Our Voice

Stephanie Myers — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:41:07 +0000

Via the Stupski Foundation's "Break Fake Rules" podcast.

What keeps philanthropy from speaking out? And how can funders overcome fear to use our voices in defense of communities under threat?

In a recent episode of the Break Fake Rules podcast, Cal Wellness President and CEO Richard Tate joins the Stupski Foundation to talk about how the foundation made the decision to speak out against the rise of authoritarianism. Richard shares why silence isn’t an option, and how much more we can accomplish in philanthropy when we stand together against autocracy.

We invite you to tune in, reflect, and join us in building a sector that speaks boldly in the fight for equity, justice, and democracy.

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Discover more about the Stupski Foundation and its mission
https://stupski.org/
Listen to the full episode "Silence Won’t Save Us" with Cal Wellness CEO Richard Tate (Episode 6)
https://stupski.org/break-fake-rules/

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Medicaid at 60: The Legacy & the Fight Ahead

Stephanie Myers — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:39:18 +0000

Video credit: The California Endowment

Sixty years after Medicaid became law, the future of health care in America is once again in our hands. What began as a bold step forward has grown into a pillar of health equity, connecting millions to care, dignity and stability. Now it’s our turn to carry the torch.

In this short video, we reflect on Medicaid’s legacy and look ahead to the work still before us: protecting coverage, advancing equity, and ensuring communities can thrive in the face of shifting needs and new challenges. This is about more than access to care: It’s about the conditions that allow people to live healthy, secure lives.

We can’t do this work alone. Grounded in solidarity, we are proud to join California Health Care Foundation, The California Endowment, Archstone Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers, AltaMed Health Services, California Primary Care Association, and others as we continue the fight for health equity for all Californians.

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Farewell to Earl Lui

Stephanie Myers — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:58:07 +0000

We bid a heartfelt farewell to Earl Lui, who has stepped down from his role at The California Wellness Foundation after nearly two decades of dedicated service.

Earl joined Cal Wellness as a Program Director—his first position in philanthropy and a grantmaking role where he quickly made his mark. He supported grant partners working to expand health care access, protect the environment in underserved communities, improve conditions for low-wage workers, and strengthen civic engagement. Earl also helped launch our program-related investing work—using low-interest loans and other financial tools to support mission-aligned organizations beyond traditional grants. In recognition of this impactful work, Earl was later named Cal Wellness’ first-ever Managing Director of Programs.

Throughout his tenure, he played a key role in guiding the foundation’s response to critical moments in California’s recent history. Following the 2016 election, Earl was part of the team that led the Advance and Defend Wellness campaign, helping shift priorities to meet emerging needs across the state. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he guided the foundation’s rapid response efforts, including expanded grantmaking to support the communities most impacted by the crisis.

In recent years, Earl oversaw two of the foundation’s core portfolios: Equity in Access, which included funding to protect and advance immigrant rights, and Economic Security and Dignity, supporting efforts to help families and communities build stable, healthy lives. As part of the Equity in Access portfolio, he helped lead Cal Wellness’ support for the Health4All campaign, which successfully expanded health coverage for all income-eligible Californians, regardless of immigration status.

Earl was known for his strategic mindset and calm presence, and was a trusted advisor to colleagues and grant partners alike. He brought not only a deep commitment to equity but also a belief in sustaining the people doing the work—championing rest, resilience, and long-term well-being across the nonprofit sector.

We are deeply grateful for all that Earl brought to Cal Wellness—for his integrity, vision, and steady hand. His legacy will continue to shape our work for years to come. We wish him joy and success in all that lies ahead.

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Building Power in the IE: Communities Leading the Way to Wellness

Stephanie Myers — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 19:53:41 +0000

At the offices of Alianza Coachella Valley, we heard from staff and board members about gaps in access and essential services for residents and workers in the Eastern Coachella Valley. (Photo by Leroy Hamilton)

Don Benjamin lives in a corner house in San Bernardino right across from the railroad tracks. Freight trains rumble by or idle there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And just beyond the tracks, there is a constant flow of cars and tractor trailers on the freeway. He feels irritation in his nose and eyes all the time, has had to install air filters for his house and is experimenting with which plant and trees can survive in an environment full of diesel fumes and dust.

Because Don Benjamin is worried about the effects of pollution on the residents of his neighborhood, he’s spoken up many times to the railroads and local authorities about how hard it is to live a healthy life there. He doesn’t feel like he’s being heard. “People ask, ‘Why not just move?’” Don Benjamin said. “This is the only home that I have, and I just can't give up.”

This courage and unwavering grit are so characteristic of the people who make up the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside Counties). I would know – I grew up in the IE, one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States and a place where my immigrant parents thought they could build a better life for their kids. Living here has always meant that communities have had to stand up for themselves. So when I came to the IE on a recent learning trip with colleagues from Cal Wellness, we were eager to see the important work that community partners have been leading to improve the health and well-being of their communities. I was excited about the opportunity to support investments in a region that so often gets left out.

Don Benjamin speaks to the Cal Wellness group outside of his home, telling us how he is worried about the effects of pollution on the residents of his neighborhood. "This is the only home that I have, and I just can't give up.” (Photo by Leroy Hamilton)

On the first day of the tour, Sherheryar Kaaosji of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center and Andrea Vidaurre of the People’s Collective for Environmental Justice, showed us around a massive industrial complex near the San Bernardino International Airport so that we could witness first-hand how the expansion of the warehouse industry has displaced local communities and disrupted the daily lives of the people who live there. We heard from community members like Alberto who described having to carry around an oxygen tank to help him breathe because of the increased air pollution from heavy truck traffic in recent years. This is a region where more than 500,000 trucks pass through and at least 40% of the children suffer from asthma. We also heard from Juan, one of an estimated 190,000 warehouse workers in the Inland Empire, who described the stress of working at an Amazon Global Systems facility with round-the-clock monitoring cameras and automated measurements of how fast he’s walking and moving boxes. He talked about the challenge of surviving with low pay in a market with rising rents.

As we stood at the edge of a large warehouse business district talking to community members who moved there for affordable housing, they pointed out the absence of sidewalks on the community part of the street compared to the newly paved sidewalks where the business district began. Here was a stark reminder that this place was not meant for people, and that the investments made to support industry did not extend to the community.

On the second day of the tour, Silvia Paz from Alianza Coachella Valley took us to Coachella Valley High School, my alma mater, to hear the experiences of local high school students in a region where people 18 years of age or younger make up almost a quarter of the population. We heard stories from students like Natalia and Dale about finding their voice, learning how to stand up for what their communities need, and being proud of their identities as Latinas and the children of immigrants. The laughter, dreams, and perseverance of these young people gave me a glimpse into what the future Coachella Valley could look like. It brought up memories of my own experiences as a young girl growing up in a migrant farmworker community and the commitment I made to fight for social justice.

Students like Natalia at Coachella Valley High School spoke with us about how she and her peers are standing up for what their communities need. (Photo by Leroy Hamilton)

There were so many other inspiring parts of the IE tour – work being done to incorporate community input to build a thriving Salton Sea, the stop at a test site for sustainable agrihousing run by Pueblo Unido CDC, a roundtable discussion of the state of the IE with community leaders– but all these experiences drove home two key lessons.

If left unchecked, the pursuit of economic profits will sacrifice the well-being of workers and communities.
It is essential to fully support the efforts of communities of color to organize and build the power to be well.

I saw hope in this rising generation of young people who are digging deeper into the root causes of issues like poverty and environmental hazards, coming up with homegrown solutions, getting organized, and forming alliances with other like-minded groups to make sure they have a say in the shaping the future of their communities.

The world is seeing the power of the IE, too. Last year, Andrea Vidaurre won the Goldman Environmental Prize for North America, and she was just named to the Time’s 100 most influential people list this year for the work she’s done to make the Inland Empire a better home for its residents. Andrea, like many others in the IE, carries on the dreams of our ancestors for a better life. This work will brighten the future for all of us.

Managing Director Veronica Carrizales

Veronica Carrizales is managing director of programs at The California Wellness Foundation.

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Solidarity Keeps Freedom Alive

Stephanie Myers — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:39:37 +0000

On July 4, we celebrate freedom — but this year we need more than fireworks, flags and speeches to keep liberty alive.

We need solidarity.

We need a collective commitment to stand together when our neighbors are targeted, when principles of due process and justice are under attack - when our democracy is at risk.

During the Civil Rights movement, Black organizers led the charge. They were joined by labor unions, faith leaders, and young people of all backgrounds. In California, when farm workers demanded better working conditions, Filipino and Mexican laborers walked out together, reshaping the labor movement. And when Japanese Americans were rounded up and sent to concentration camps during World War II, it was cross-community solidarity that helped secure redress and reparations decades later.

Each of these moments in American history reminds us of something essential: Freedom isn't guaranteed. It's something people of all races and walks of life have fought for, protected, and sustained through collective action.

Today, freedom in America faces renewed threats — violence against elected leaders, military-style raids on immigrant neighborhoods, political attacks on nonprofits, disinformation campaigns, and the targeting of institutions because of their efforts to ensure equity for all. These are calculated efforts to erode democracy by dehumanizing the vulnerable, denying truth, and intimidating those who dare to resist.

But we are not powerless when we work together.

At the California Wellness Foundation, we support partners building solidarity across communities. We support organizers building community power to advance health and racial justice. We fund immigrant rights advocates and frontline service providers. And we back movement leaders protecting democracy — not only in courtrooms, but in neighborhoods, churches, clinics, and workplaces.

We show solidarity by funding the people defending our freedoms.

This July 4, stand in solidarity with your neighbors - speak out, make a donation, appeal to your elected leaders - and show the true meaning of freedom in America.

President and CEO Richard Tate

Richard Tate is President and CEO of The California Wellness Foundation, one of California’s largest philanthropic public health institutions. Tate leads the foundation in pursuing its mission to protect and improve the health and wellness of the people of California, with a core belief that access to quality health care is a human right.

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Juneteenth: Freedom is Not Finished

Alexa Alarcon — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:43:32 +0000

Four years ago, Juneteenth became a national holiday. It marks June 19, 1865, the day enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, were finally told they were free–more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The truth had been withheld—on purpose. That’s the irony at the heart of Juneteenth: a celebration born of delayed freedom and the intentional denial of truth.

That same playbook is still in use and has become more visible for many grappling with the current moment. History has a jarring way of circling back, of shapeshifting, of wrapping oppression in new language and dusting off old policies – of rebranding freedom to pacify the needs of those whose freedom, humanity and dignity have never been in question.

Juneteenth doesn’t just commemorate the past. It indicates the present and must therefore serve as a call to confront the persistent and evolving structures of injustice.

The cycle of injustice that stands in the way of freedom is clear. From slave patrols to detention centers. From Native boarding schools to foster care pipelines. From internment camps to family separation. From redlined neighborhoods to zip-code-based life expectancy. From plantation fields to prison cells. From Ellis Island dreams to ICE raids at dawn and mass deportations.

These aren’t disconnected events; they are coordinates on the same map of oppression and injustice.

This is the trauma of a nation in an abusive relationship with its own people—one that denies its past while demanding our patriotism and attempts to sedate us with symbolism and narratives carefully constructed to quiet dissent, dismiss suffering, and mask the betrayal beneath the promise.

Today, that same machinery that once delayed the freedom for enslaved Black people in Galveston is being repurposed.

We see it in the wave of book bans, illegal rollbacks on racial and social equity initiatives, and efforts to erase even the language of justice from public discourse. There are restrictions on how we vote, how we teach, how we fund, how we fight, and whom we love and choose to be.

The safety-net that supports the most vulnerable are being dismantled, and narratives of efficiency and accountability are being weaponized to justify them.

Basic humanity should not be a negotiation subject to an executive order or the shifting tides of federalism.

So where does that leave us? It leaves us standing at a crossroads – accountable to the truth that history teaches us, while organizing, disrupting, advocating and demanding a better future.

It leaves us with a responsibility, indeed a moral calling, to move beyond the status quo, get out of our comfort zones, and act with fierce urgency and intention.

Freedom requires infrastructure – long-term investments in grassroots leadership and organizations. It means sustained, flexible funding in those on the frontlines to build lasting power.

It's about supporting the architects who leverage radical imagination to create a better future in an unsteady world. Freedom requires catalyzing the disruptors, funding the freedom fighters, and being co-conspirators rather than gatekeepers in the pursuit of justice.

Freedom requires that we not simply yield to deodorized and dainty discourse, preemptive positioning or soliloquies of submission – but stay the course as fervent truth tellers and witness bearers in a moment where the fragility of our democracy is laid bare. Contrived commitment is not a course correction for complicity.

We are bearing witness to the last gasp of a reactionary movement borne out of the vestiges of colonization and segregation, manufactured to sow fear of an inevitable multiracial democracy. Juneteenth is a reminder that while true freedom might be delayed, even denied, it's certainly not finished. And as we fight for the dignity and worth of every person - neither are we.

Interim Vice President of Programs and Public Affairs Alex M. Johnson

Alex M. Johnson is interim vice president of programs and public affairs at The California Wellness Foundation.

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Little Tokyo: Investing in a Community’s Right to Thrive

Stephanie Myers — Tue, 20 May 2025 20:05:59 +0000

Neigborhoods like Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles hold more than buildings – they are living expressions of history, culture and community. Since its founding in 1884, Little Tokyo has been a hub for Japanese Americans, nurturing small businesses run by the same families for generations, sustaining cherished cultural institutions, and providing a lasting sense of belonging for residents who have called the neighborhood home for decades.

This vibrant enclave has withstood enormous challenges. It survived the forced incarceration of its Japanese American inhabitants during World War II and the widespread demolition of homes and businesses in the 1950s to make way for municipal construction.

Today, Little Tokyo is facing gentrification. Rising rents and large-scale real estate development have displaced so many longtime residents and small businesses that the neighborhood made the 2024 list of America’s 11 most endangered historic places.

In response to the pressures of gentrification, a group of organizations, including Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, have formed the Sustainable Little Tokyo initiative “to ensure a healthy, equitable, and culturally rich Little Tokyo for generations to come.”

At Cal Wellness, we believe wellness requires inclusion — and that communities must have a central role in shaping their own futures. That’s why we’re supporting efforts in Little Tokyo through a combination of grants, program-related investments, and long-term partnerships. Since 2018, we’ve embraced a broader approach to philanthropy: using all the financial tools at our disposal to build resilience, economic opportunity and community power. That means not just grants, but also program-related investments such as low-cost loans or loan guarantees.

Our investments in Little Tokyo are designed to resist displacement, preserve cultural identity and strengthen long-term community ownership. Since 2023, we have made:

A $1.5 million program-related investment to LTSC Community Development Corporation to advance the First Street North project (a major development that will host 248 units of affordable housing, including permanent supportive housing for veterans experiencing homelessness, along with commercial and community space).
A $300,000 grant to LTSC, providing flexibility to improve the health and well-being of low-income residents, through sustainable development, local economic support, and preservation of Little Tokyo’s distinctive cultural heritage.
A $250,000 grant to the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center to support the Sustainable Little Tokyo initiative and its vision for a just and vibrant future.

In a recent CBS This Morning story, LTSC Executive Director Erich Nakano highlighted why this community-centered work is so important:

“The goal of the project is to reclaim what used to be Little Tokyo and to be able to bring it back to life,” he said. “America really is a land of immigrants. They built special places like this throughout the country that remain a really important part of the fabric of what this country is and what it can become.”

LTSC’s impact extends beyond Little Tokyo. Celebrating its 45^th anniversary this year, LTSC has made community revitalization and cultural preservation across Southern California part of its mission. LTSC built its first affordable housing project in 1994 and has been using the lessons learned ever since to collaborate with underserved communities across Los Angeles to advance housing and community development projects rooted in equity and cultural integrity.

As we continue in this work, we remain committed to keep learning from our partners on the ground – those who know their communities best and are shaping their own futures. Little Tokyo’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when foundations activate investments that align with their mission and trust communities to lead the way.

If you want to learn more about our broader investing philosophy at Cal Wellness, learn more here, and read our most recent blog posted on Confluence Philanthropy.

Director of Investments Javier Hernandez

Javier Hernandez is the director of investments for The California Wellness Foundation. In this role, he manages the foundation’s endowment, focusing on developing and executing a mission-related investment strategy.

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Program Director Jamie Schenker

Jamie N. Schenker is program director at The California Wellness Foundation. She brings over 15 years’ experience in grantmaking, evaluation and organizational learning.

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VIDEO: Why Health Equity Requires Racial Justice

Stephanie Myers — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:44:21 +0000

Click above to watch the video.

Wellness doesn’t start in a doctor’s office: It begins with justice. In this powerful conversation, Cal Wellness leadership and staff explore the inseparable link between racial justice and health equity. They challenge conventional notions of health, arguing that true wellness is shaped not just by access to care but by broader conditions like economic stability, housing, education, and community power. Health, they remind us, is fundamentally a reflection of whether people have the resources and opportunities to thrive—and racial equity is the bedrock of that vision.

As Cal Wellness enters its next phase of strategic planning, this discussion outlines a transformative role for philanthropy. Rather than simply addressing symptoms, the speakers call for bold, long-term investment in the root causes of inequity. They envision a future where communities lead, systems are reimagined, and philanthropy is a force for deep, structural change. This is a vision not just of equity, but of justice-driven wellness—and it begins now.

Learn more and explore the vision at calwellness.org/building-the-power-to-be-well

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We Shall Not Be Moved

Stephanie Myers — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 20:47:02 +0000

We are witnessing a brutal attempt to remake America under the Trump administration in 2025. This is not just a political shift; it is a moral test. This is where we take a stand.

The California Wellness Foundation stands firm in our belief that health is a human right, and that wellness requires social and racial justice. We believe all people deserve to live healthy and well. We believe equity is for everyone.

We will continue to exercise our legal right to pursue our mission unapologetically and without hesitation. We are clear that it is our moral obligation to do so as a philanthropic institution established to serve the people of our state. The needs of our diverse California communities are too urgent to set aside.

Our work as a health foundation is grounded in decades of sound, scientific research. Our work is informed by the painful experiences of too many Californians kept from the opportunities, resources, rights and recognition that we all deserve in order to live healthy and well. Our work is inspired by the resilience, hope and joy of people who find purpose in persevering, even through the worst of times, to realize a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.

We remain committed to using all our resources — grantmaking dollars, endowment assets, voice and influence — to work on behalf of California communities. We welcome opportunities to partner with others committed to advancing health, wellness and justice for all.

If you recognize yourself in these words, please stand firm in your beliefs. Know your rights. Take action, and pursue your mission with purpose and a sense of righteous freedom. We stand with you, and we shall not be moved.

“We're fighting for our freedom

We shall not be moved

Like a tree that's planted by the water

We shall not be moved.”

“We Shall Not Be Moved,” as sung by Mavis Staples

The History of "We Shall Not Be Moved"

Watch The Freedom Singers perform "We Shall Not Be Moved" at the March on Washington in 1963. Rooted in the religious hymn “I Shall Not Be Moved”—a song embraced by congregations in the early 20th century—this anthem evolved into a rallying cry for justice. In the 1930s, labor organizers and workers reworked the lyrics into “We Shall Not Be Moved.” By the 1950s and 60s, civil rights activists added verses of their own, lifting their voices in unison as they fought for dignity, equality, and racial justice.

Watch now

President and CEO Richard Tate

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Strategic Planning at Cal Wellness: We’re Building the Power to Be Well

Stephanie Myers — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 21:49:16 +0000

Years ago, I attended an event where I heard an author who writes about resilience talk about the hallmarks of innovative leaders. The trait that stood out to me was this: the ability to think in multiple time frames.

We’re living in a time where the urgency of the moment often overwhelms our ability to think long term. As 2025 begins, I’m embarking on a project with my colleagues at Cal Wellness to do just that. This year, we begin work to update our foundation strategy, an effort we committed to before I stepped into the CEO role in late 2023.

And now we’re ready. We’ve learned a great deal operating under our Advancing Wellness strategy, launched in 2014 as a 10-year grantmaking program. The opportunity to think expansively about the future of Cal Wellness fills me with hope and determination to deepen our impact as a health foundation, especially for Californians most affected by racial and economic injustice.

The start of the year has been hard. Fires in LA. Political disruption. Attacks on people, communities and values central to our work. These are threats to the progress we’ve made to advance health and wellness in our state. And yet I am inspired by the compassionate response, unwavering commitment, and bold organizing efforts of our partners. We know that, as a foundation, standing with our communities and being responsive to emerging needs and opportunities is the way forward, especially in turbulent times. If we’ve learned one thing in the last 10 years, it’s that adaptability in the face of disruption is the key to effective strategy.

We’ll carry this spirit of resilience into our strategic planning process this year as we assess the landscape, hear from partners, reflect on the lessons we’ve learned, and dream boldly about how we can create a California where everyone lives healthy and well. We are committed to using every tool at our disposal – grant dollars, endowment investments, our voice, and our influence – to advance our mission. Visit our FAQs for more on our approach to strategic planning.

We’ll also be updating you throughout our planning process, and we’ll continue our normal operations in parallel – grantmaking, mission-related investing, strategic communications and advocacy efforts. It’s all part of our work to build the power to be well in California today, tomorrow and for years to come.

Watch the below video to learn more about Cal Wellness' strategic planning process in 2025.

President and CEO Richard Tate

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Wellness Together: Building Resilience in California’s Nonprofit Community

Stephanie Myers — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:27:38 +0000

Burnout. Fatigue. Isolation. Just simply tired. These words echo across so many conversations I’ve had with grantee partners as the Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Officer at Cal Wellness.

The work of advancing health and racial equity can be exhausting, even more so in times like these as California copes with devastating wildfires and nonprofit leaders face the stress of a changing political environment.

That’s why we’re launching Wellness Together, an event series supporting the well-being of anyone working to advance health and social justice in California, whether you work at a nonprofit organization or do community-building work.

Wellness Together will offer four virtual sessions featuring wellness practitioners who will provide coaching, tools and guided practices like meditation and breathwork. Additionally, we’ll host in-person events in Los Angeles and Oakland specifically for our grantee partners.

The sessions will be led by Our Own, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit focused on dismantling barriers to racial injustice through mental and physical health, nutrition, education and entrepreneurship.

Our next virtual session, “Empowering Your Team To Mental Acuity” is happening May 22 from 10:30 am to noon PT. It’s free and we’d love for you to join us – here’s where you can register.

Wellness Together is a natural evolution of our approach to directly support the diverse communities we serve through convenings, retreats, and other ways to build connection and promote wellbeing. We have more resilience-building opportunities in store for this year and are excited to tell you more soon.

Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Officer Stephanie Gomez

Stephanie Gomez is community engagement and strategic partnerships officer at The California Wellness Foundation. In this role, she cultivates relationships with community stakeholders, forges strategic partnerships, and implements mission-aligned initiatives to drive positive impact across California’s diverse communities.

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