Improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of state and local governments through the development and dissemination of promising governance reforms.

We support a diverse array of organizations that are developing and advancing new ideas about how to improve public decision making. Recognizing that there are no "silver bullets" to improve California governance, these organizations are offering solutions in a range of important areas, such as improvements to the ballot initiative process, new campaign financing systems, reforming the legislative redistricting process, increasing accountability in state budgeting, and other topics. These organizations are working together and with leaders of both major political parties to craft workable reforms.

Types of activities supported

The Foundation supports projects that:

• Analyze key barriers to effective governance in California, identify workable solutions and communicate the information in ways that reach a broad audience, which includes policymakers, opinion leaders in diverse communities and the general public
• Involve outreach to diverse sectors and communities to exchange ideas about policies related to governance reforms
• Build public support around proposed state and local governance reforms through activities such as hosting public discussions, engaging in dialogues with public officials and developing consensus among various constituencies on these issues

Review criteria

Competitive projects will:

• Reflect a clear understanding of California's political climate and demographic realities
• Explain how the proposed analysis and/or outreach will contribute to promoting more effective governance in California
• Include processes to test policy ideas with representatives of diverse communities
• Describe how policy solutions will be communicated to key audiences
• Be undertaken by organizations with a track record of thoughtful engagement in policymaking processes

While we accept unsolicited inquiries from grantseekers, we are able to fund very few of them. Please click here. if you would like to learn more about submitting a letter of inquiry. Full proposals are accepted by invitation only.

Profile of illustrative grant

The following grantee profile is illustrative of the type of work the California Perspectives program seeks to fund through its Infusing New Ideas and Perspectives priority:

• Institute for Local Government