January / February 2004

Dear Friends,

With the beginning of 2004 and our strategic planning work now complete, we look forward to implementing our new grantmaking program. The Foundation plans to distribute $56 million in grants in 2004, an increase of more than 10% in grantmaking from 2003 as a result of increased assets and lowered operating costs.

During 2004, we will be making grants in three primary areas: Youth— to support low-income youth in making successful transitions from secondary education to post-secondary opportunities in education, citizenship, and the workforce; Arts—to promote a vibrant and inclusive artistic and cultural environment; and California Perspectives—to inform understanding and decision-making regarding significant issues of long-term consequence to the State. These three areas build on Irvine's past activities and its many existing partnerships and, together, they will also provide an integrated approach to advance Irvine's mission of expanding opportunity for the people of California. We are committed to publishing new guidelines for each of these program areas in the early part of this year. Indeed, our Arts guidelines are complete, and we will release initial guidelines for Youth and California Perspectives soon.

By the time I post my next message on March 1, the Foundation will also launch a new website. The new site will set the stage for a more efficient use of technology to interact with our constituents, to highlight our partners, to communicate our lessons, and to call attention to important issues facing California. The navigation will be simplified, in a continued desire to better serve our constituents, and there will be new processes for submitting grant applications online. The new site will go live on March 1, and we plan to build upon it in the months and years ahead as we seek to serve as a useful resource for our grantseekers, our grantees, and others concerned with expanding opportunity for the people of California. We will be sure to include a portion of the site that offers you—our users— the chance to weigh in with your ideas and suggestions, which we welcome.

In closing, I'd like to provide an update on several new faces at Irvine. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Elisa Callow as Program Director in the Arts, beginning in mid-February. Elisa brings significant experience in the Arts field to this leadership role, and she will be based in the Foundation's Los Angeles office as we expand our presence and visibility in that important region of the State. In addition, the Board of Directors recently elected a new member, Greg Avis. Greg has a strong history of community service, having dedicated significant time over the years to nonprofit organizations engaged in the arts, education, and community philanthropy. His experience with and knowledge of the nonprofit sector will be an asset to the Foundation.

As we begin 2004, I offer my very best wishes to you for the New Year and appreciate your interest in the Irvine Foundation's work. As always, I value your comments, questions, and suggestions.

Sincerely,

James E. Canales
President & CEO