Public Policy
Philanthropy California serves as a unified voice on public policy issues impacting our state, sector, and communities. We work to build a strong philanthropic presence that connects government, funders, and communities to address our state's most pressing issues. Our statewide alliance also advocates for policies promoting the well-being of California's diverse communities.
Philanthropy CA focuses on the following public policy priorities:
- Inclusive and Fair Democracy
- Climate and Disaster Preparedness and Resilience
- Supporting a Resilient and Sustainable Nonprofit Sector
- Advancing Racial and Social Justice
Through our policy work, we have advocated for state and federal budgets that support California's communities, worked to ensure a fair and accurate census and redistricting cycle, and advocated for equitable legislation to help communities across the state thrive.
Philanthropy California recognizes that no single sector or organization can change systems alone. We strive to create unique opportunities for funders to learn and collaborate on policy issues important to our sector, and to partner with state government and local, state, and national organizations to advance our collective work.
We invite you to register for one of our signature policy events, attend our upcoming programming, and reach out to learn how you can join our efforts to create a more equitable California.
06/13/2025
Philanthropy California — the statewide alliance of Northern California Grantmakers, SoCal Grantmakers, and Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties — stands unwaveringly with our state’s immi
05/21/2025
Philanthropy California, the statewide alliance of Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Northern California Grantmakers, and SoCal Grantmakers, stands ready to defend philanthropy’s freedom of expression and its right to give without fear of retaliation. We believe an independent nonprofit and philanthropic sector — free from government overreach — is essential in maintaining a robust civil society, thriving communities, and a strong democracy.
10/17/2024
Ahead of the 2024 General Election, Philanthropy California — the statewide alliance of Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Northern California Grantmakers, and SoCal Gr
04/28/2021
On April 26, 2021, the United States Census Bureau (USCB) released the census apportionment data. This census data is used to allocate seats in the U.S.
04/28/2021
On April 26, 2021, the United States Census Bureau (USCB) released the census apportionment data. This census data is used to allocate seats in the U.S.
12/17/2020
We are reminded, as we close this year, that moments of disruption, such as those we're experiencing, are also moments to ad
03/31/2020
The time to ensure the count is here! The 2020 Census has faced many challenges — the attempt to include an untested citizenship question, delays in funding, and now the untold impact of COVID-19.
12/19/2019
The tax and spending legislation — released by bipartisan negotiators and passed by the House of Representatives this week — contains significant victories for private foundations and the nonprofit
08/12/2019
Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, and Philanthropy California are united in opposition to the proposed changes to Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. LGBTQ people, immigrants, and people seeking reproductive care will be hurt by these proposed changes. As philanthropic serving organizations dedicated to the health and wellbeing of these communities, and social justice values more broadly, we are speaking out and taking action.
04/01/2019
A fair and accurate census that reflects our communities is absolutely vital to ensure that Californians receive access to resources and equal political representation.
10/10/2018
Your voice matters — join us in standing up for our deepest values and for all of our communities.
10/10/2018
Your voice matters — join us in standing up for our deepest values and for all of our communities.
07/17/2018
Together with the League of California Community Foundations, Philanthropy California encourages its members to send letters of public comment related to the U.S.
06/20/2018
As Philanthropy California, we join our partners in philanthropy, along with advocates and immigrant communities, in calling for an end to the practice of separating children from their parents as part of the Administration’s “zero tolerance” policy on the U.S.-Mexico border.
05/24/2018
Philanthropy California has signed on to the Census Policy Advocacy Network's (CPAN) budget request.
05/24/2018
Philanthropy California has signed on to the Census Policy Advocacy Network's (CPAN) budget request.
04/04/2018
We are an inclusive California and we all deserve to be counted.
04/04/2018
We are an inclusive California and we all deserve to be counted.
03/08/2018
We voice our unequivocal support for the “Johnson Amendment” – the long-standing federal law that prohibits 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from endorsing, opposing or contributing to political candidates and engaging in partisan campaign activities.
02/08/2018
California has long been home to a special kind of American Dream. People from all walks of life come to our state to find opportunity and prosperity.
02/08/2018
California has long been home to a special kind of American Dream. People from all walks of life come to our state to find opportunity and prosperity.
01/26/2018
We write to express our opposition to the Department of Justice’s December 12, 2017 request to include a new citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
01/26/2018
We write to express our opposition to the Department of Justice’s December 12, 2017 request to include a new citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
09/05/2017
Philanthropy California joins our partners in philanthropy, advocates, and immigrant communities in standing against today’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA).
Statements
The 2020 Census faced a daunting set of challenges. The Census Bureau faced budget constraints like never before, and the data collection was rolled out online for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, scaling back door‐to‐door outreach and canvassing. These changes increased the potential for undercounting young children, minorities, low-income individuals, and other marginalized individuals.
Across the state, Philanthropy California supported efforts related to the 2020 Census by convening and facilitating conversations between funders, providing funder education, and coordinating communication amongst local funders to help advance local advocacy. We also organized and stimulated interest in the Census among funders and their grantees.
Philanthropy California also advocated for federal and state funding for the Census, convened funders with lawmakers to highlight the issue's importance, and participated in informational hearings to testify on the importance of the state fully funding census efforts across California.
Most notably, SCG on behalf of Philanthropy CA led the submission of an amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court opposing the citizenship question on the Census, which would have undoubtedly discouraged participation in the Census. In partnership with the Bauman Foundation and Funders' Committee for Civic Participation, Philanthropy California coordinated 30 private foundations, community foundations, and philanthropy-serving organizations across the country as co‐signers. While it is highly unusual for philanthropy to file an amicus brief, we chose to do so because undercounting hurts philanthropy's ability to have reliable data to drive assessments, tailor solutions, make data-driven investments, identify outcomes, and measure progress in achieving our goals and our mission.
Philanthropy California also utilized its platform and reach to issue statements opposing the addition of an untested citizenship question on the census form.
Statements
April 28, 2021
March 31, 2020
July 17, 2018
News
April 16, 2018