Our mission is to expand opportunity for the people of California to participate in a vibrant, successful and inclusive society. Our grantmaking is organized around three program areas: Arts, Youth and California Perspectives, which focuses on improving decision making on significant state issues. These three program areas work together to advance the Foundation's mission and four organizational goals:

• Advance the educational and economic prospects of low-income Californians to share in and create California's prosperity
• Engage a broad cross section of Californians in the civic and cultural life of their communities and the state
• Enhance mutual understanding and communication among diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups
• Enrich the state's intellectual and creative environment

Four core principles guide Irvine’s grantmaking activities. They are a product of Irvine's past experience and our view of how we can best leverage Foundation resources.

The four core principles that guide Irvine's activities are:

• Focus on Place
• Invest in Organizations
• Build Leadership
• Engage beyond Grants