The James Irvine Foundation

We’re thrilled to announce the third slate of awardees for #TheCourageProject! From young leaders championing access to education, to faith communities mobilizing in times of crisis, these honorees embody the values that hold our society together. The Courage Project is supported by Irvine, CFLeads, Freedom Together Foundation, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Marguerite Casey Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Pisces Foundation, Public Welfare Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and The Skillman Foundation. Learn about the awardees and nominate an organization or individual here: https://lnkd.in/dzQgwcvZ

We know our state will thrive when all Californians are paid a living wage, but the reality is that 9.8% of workers in our state are living in poverty—that’s 1.5 million people. An additional 2.3 million working Californians were near poor. Half of the workers who were living in poverty in 2023 had full-time jobs. But when wages are low and expenses like childcare and housing keep rising, making ends meets remains difficult. Learn more from Public Policy Institute of California's fact sheet here: https://lnkd.in/gce6EBW9

Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley is launching a new podcast series on October 21 at 9–10:30 a.m. PT (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT or 12–1:30 p.m. ET)! At a time when many communities are facing attacks and marginalization, this series brings together advocates and policy leaders to share transformative ideas—from wealth taxes and social housing to baby bonds, disaster resilience, and community safety. Each episode connects lived experiences to forward-looking policies that can move us toward a future where everyone belongs and thrives.    Sign up for the launch event at https://lnkd.in/gne67_h6 

The James Irvine Foundation deeply mourns the loss of Kent Wong. During his time at the UCLA Labor Center, our Fair Work team had the privilege of witnessing and learning from his passion, leadership, deep roots in the labor movement, and genuine kindness.   Kent tirelessly shed light on the conditions workers face, especially those in underserved communities, and championed the continuous fight for dignity and respect for all. He encouraged and mentored countless students, leaders, and workers, as they work to make a change in their communities. We know his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched.  Our hearts go out to Kent’s family, friends, community, and with all who were impacted by his wisdom, profound sense of service, and generous spirit.   

We know our state will thrive when all workers earn family-sustaining wages that allow them to not only cover immediate bills but also save for the future. But today’s reality is that more older Americans are having to continue working, often without enough retirement savings to step away. For aging workers, every shift carries new risks.  Walter Carpenter, who juggles two physically taxing jobs at 70, says, "I feel about two ways. Number one is, I’m amazed that I’m still alive to be this active. And I’m also frustrated that I have to keep doing it." By 2030, more than one in five U.S. residents will be over the age of 65, underscoring the continuously increasing need to advance worker protections and programs that can support older Americans. More in Capital & Main: https://bit.ly/4gT3RuI

At the Sweet Potato Project in #Fresno, young people cultivate both crops and the confidence to expand their sense of the future. The project serves as both a classroom and a training ground—students turn sweet potatoes into marketable products while sampling college life at Fresno State. They also receive mentoring, stipends, and health services to support their journey. Community-driven efforts like this are exactly what the Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI) was created to strengthen. Launched in 2022 and led by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, #CEMI is a $22 million initiative supported by #California funders including the Irvine Foundation, The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation, Sierra Health Foundation, and Blue Shield of California Foundation, among others. The initiative helps local leadership take root and build the case for greater public investment. Kevin, one of the students participating in the Sweet Potato Project told Smart Growth California: “There’s so much baggage people carry. Here, people listen ... help you translate it into the real world ... We’re growing a product – but really, it’s about ourselves.” Learn more about the wins of community-driven efforts supported by CEMI at: https://bit.ly/3VKt157 #philanthropy

ICYMI: The latest issue of The Foundation Review, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy’s peer-reviewed journal on philanthropy, features an article by Irvine’s Jennifer Ho and Kim Ammann Howard, and Engage R+D’s Sonia Taddy-Sandino and Clare Nolan.    The article explores how Irvine’s #JustProsperity initiative moved beyond listening toward early, authentic, and iterative engagement of grantees in its philanthropic strategy and evaluation design.   Key insights include:   - Articulate clear goals, objectives, and arc of engagement   - Create space for relationship building, shared learning, and celebration   - Intentionally integrate iteration and feedback loops     Check out the full article at: https://bit.ly/3JETU7N

This summer, Irvine’s #BetterCareers initiative supported a group of grantees and key registered apprenticeship organizations in Los Angeles to join a delegation of Southern California leaders traveling to Zurich for the CEMETS Summer Institute to study Switzerland’s vocational education and training (VET) system.  There was a lot of inspiring learning in Switzerland, where over 70% of youth enter careers through high school apprenticeships, earning industry-recognized credentials while gaining real work experience. The CEMETS experience has accelerated our apprenticeship team’s conversations about improving coordination and infrastructure for registered apprenticeships in LA, and has renewed the participants’ commitment to building a system that works for everyone.  Check out the document below to learn more. Thank you, Katie Caves, Elizabeth Cheung, Vincent C., Marit van Dekken, MSc, Miriam Farnbauer, Allison Frenzel, Rose Gonzalez, Iryna Harder, Alex Hussain, Vinz Koller, Jim Lancaster, Ed.D., Erica Lim, Narineh Makijan, Ed.D., Erica L. Manuel, Brent Parton, Tammy Ortuno, and Ursula Renold! #Apprenticeship #WorkforceDevelopment #EconomicMobility #CareerPathways #CaliforniaJobs #CEMETS #FutureOfWork 

The #InlandEmpire is one of the fastest-growing regions in #California and a vital economic hub for the country’s logistics industry. However, escalating climate-related hazards—including extreme heat and poor air quality—are actively harming worker health and safety, particularly among farmworkers, construction crews, and warehouse employees. In a new policy brief, the Inland Empire Labor and Community Center at UC Riverside highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive and proactive approach to protecting workers: https://lnkd.in/g5V9TvpD