Expanding public sector apprenticeships with Institute for Local Government November 20, 2024 Briefly tell us about the Institute for Local Government. What does your organization do? The Institute for Local Government (ILG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local governments and their leaders tackle complex issues and strengthen trust in their communities. We’re also non-partisan, which helps us meet local governments where they are and guide … Continue reading Expanding public sector apprenticeships with Institute for Local Government
Our commitment to working Californians, supporting immigrant communities in a new reality November 6, 2024 The election results have California and the nation grappling with a new reality. As a private foundation, The James Irvine Foundation does not and cannot participate in electoral politics or the legislative process. But we do speak out when politics and actions by elected officials contradict our values and, worse, threaten the well-being of organizations … Continue reading Our commitment to working Californians, supporting immigrant communities in a new reality
Deepening impact in the worker rights movement with flexible, multi-year funding October 10, 2024 Many things make me happy to be part of the Irvine Foundation’s Fair Work initiative, but one that stands out is the chance to hear directly from leaders advancing the rights of workers in California. And they often tell me about the value of long-term, flexible funding in strengthening their organization’s impact – a sentiment … Continue reading Deepening impact in the worker rights movement with flexible, multi-year funding
Providing opportunities for property service workers: A Q&A with Building Skills Partnership’s Luis Sandoval October 7, 2024 California is home to approximately 5.6 million workers paid low wages, more than half of whom are Hispanic. A subset are property service workers — the janitors, security officers, maintenance and custodial workers, stadium, arena, and airport employees, and others providing important services to the buildings of California. Most property service workers are immigrants from Latin … Continue reading Providing opportunities for property service workers: A Q&A with Building Skills Partnership’s Luis Sandoval
Irvine Senior Program Officer, Maria Aquino reflects on Hispanic Heritage Month October 3, 2024 The Irvine Foundation is fortunate to have talented staff with diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and we want to introduce some of our colleagues to you. We spoke with Maria Aquino, Irvine’s Senior Program Officer, about what led her to philanthropy, the significance of this month, and the importance of foundations reflecting on their histories. … Continue reading Irvine Senior Program Officer, Maria Aquino reflects on Hispanic Heritage Month
Supporting Business Owners: A Conversation with AmPac Business Capital’s Brian Kennedy, Jr. September 25, 2024 The Priority Communities initiative held a learning summit in Los Angeles for leaders from Fresno, Salinas, Stockton, Riverside, and San Bernardino. We spoke to select leaders in attendance to hear their perspectives on their communities and their insights on what it takes to build inclusive economies. This blog post features Inland Empire-based Brian Kennedy, Jr., Entrepreneur … Continue reading Supporting Business Owners: A Conversation with AmPac Business Capital’s Brian Kennedy, Jr.
The James Irvine Foundation Board of Directors approves $46.9 million in grants on September 19, 2024 September 23, 2024 The James Irvine Foundation Board of Directors approved 14 grants totaling $46.9 million last week. The Foundation also provided $18.2 million in grants this quarter that did not require board approval. The grants primarily support the Foundation’s four initiatives focused on working Californians: Better Careers, Fair Work, Just Prosperity, and Priority Communities, and Irvine investments in … Continue reading The James Irvine Foundation Board of Directors approves $46.9 million in grants on September 19, 2024
Supporting community power-building and the Movement Innovation Collaborative September 20, 2024 At the Irvine Foundation, we believe that workers and the organizations that represent them need to have influence in the workplace, their community, and in the political process to achieve economic justice and fulfill the promise of our multiracial democracy. This is only possible if communities have power, particularly low-income, people of color, and immigrant … Continue reading Supporting community power-building and the Movement Innovation Collaborative
What Do Nonprofits Need to Dream and Go Bigger? September 17, 2024 Over the summer, our Fair Work team met with worker rights and economic justice leaders across California, to delve into current challenges and opportunities facing low-income workers and where our support might increase workers’ power to shape their lives and livelihoods. With achievements and aspirations that exceed their budgets, these organizations, not unlike many economic, … Continue reading What Do Nonprofits Need to Dream and Go Bigger?
Celebrating leaders advancing equity and worker rights September 2, 2024 “For many, Labor Day means a day off work and one last summer BBQ. But without a strong labor movement, our country wouldn’t have weekends at all, let alone long ones...Over time, the labor movement secured many benefits we take for granted: the five-day workweek, paid overtime, employer-based healthcare coverage, a minimum wage, and more.” … Continue reading Celebrating leaders advancing equity and worker rights