We work to advance health and wellness for the most vulnerable in San Diego and Imperial counties through collaborative funding, convening and advocacy.
We believe wellness is a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual, economic and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Society, community, neighborhood and family are collectively responsible for creating an environment of health and wellness. Wellness is personal and is not the same for everyone. Individuals need information and support to make positive choices for a more successful existence.
We currently operate a portfolio of five programs:
i2 Innovation Initiative—also referred to as “venture philanthropy”—based on the thesis that innovation capital (often high risk, high reward) is needed to transform the current paradigm (high cost and poor outcomes) and improve quality, increase capacity and reduce costs;
Mission Support—based on the belief that trusting those closest to our constituents and providing core operating support for great organizations will best advance our mission;
Responsive Funding—based on the belief that it is important to be responsive to time-sensitive community needs and opportunities;
InvestUp—based on the belief that it is important to actively and strategically be looking for ways to meaningfully advance our mission and it is worth spending some or all of our corpus—beyond the earnings off of our endowment—if we can substantively, sustainably and positively change the dynamics, and
Impact Investments—based on the thesis that we can activate our investment portfolio to achieve more positive impact.
The California Endowment is a private, statewide health foundation with a mission to build a stronger state by expanding access to affordable, quality health care to underserved communities and improving the overall health of all Californians.
The mission of The California Wellness Foundation is to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention.
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation supports arts, education, environment, informed communities, and poetry to connect communities and influence social change to achieve an equitable New Jersey.
Michelson Impact Ventures is a social change fund deploying impact investment capital into mission-aligned, for-profit start-ups in education, future of work, healthcare, human-animal bond, veterinary health, and future of food.
To build a better Southern California by supporting nonprofit organizations to more effectively serve the underserved.
In order to achieve this mission and advance equity, the Foundation will use a number of different strategies:
Provide grants and other support designed to improve the capacity and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations working in the areas of health, human services, and education for people and communities who currently face the most obstacles to opportunity.
Give highest priority to organizations working to provide greater access, resources, and opportunities in low-income communities, including for those whose race, gender, immigration status, disability, age, sexual orientation, or zip code has prevented them from realizing the dignities and liberties all people deserve.
Through our responsive and initiative grantmaking, focus greater attention on critical issues that are associated with the growing imbalance of opportunity in Southern California, including: child welfare, immigrant integration, workforce development, re-entry, homelessness, youth development, and public education.
Exercise leadership on issues that strengthen and support the ability of nonprofit organizations to achieve their missions and desired outcomes. This includes advocating for programs, policies, and services that address the needs of communities most lacking in opportunity and access.
