The California Wellness Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $105 million (2023 actual grantmaking)
• Total Assets: $1 billion
• Decision Time: 60 days after cycle closes
• Grant Range: $94,000 - $1,000,000+ (varies by programme and need)
• Average Grant Size: Approximately $132,000
• Geographic Focus: California statewide (urban and rural)
• Application Method: Rolling cycles with specific deadline windows

Contact Details

Website: www.calwellness.org Email: info@calwellness.org Phone: 818-702-1900 Location: San Francisco, CA

Grant Inquiries: grants@calwellness.org Application Portal: Available through website during open cycles

Overview

The California Wellness Foundation was created in 1990-1992 as a health conversion foundation when Health Net transitioned from non-profit to for-profit status. With $1 billion in assets, it stands as one of California's largest public health philanthropic institutions. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over $1.4 billion in grants and programme-related investments through more than 9,000 grants.

The foundation's mission is to protect and improve the health and wellness of Californians by increasing access to health care, quality education, good jobs, healthy environments, and safe neighbourhoods. Under President and CEO Richard Tate's leadership since September 2023, Cal Wellness has committed to its most ambitious funding year ever, allocating $67 million in 2025—a significant increase from the typical $47 million annual budget. The foundation has also committed 100% of its endowment assets to mission-related investments, demonstrating deep alignment between its funding priorities and investment strategy. Cal Wellness explicitly names race as a critical factor in determining health outcomes and focuses intensively on supporting low-income communities, people of colour, youth, immigrants, and rural residents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates through its Advancing Wellness programme, organised into four interconnected portfolios:

1. Community Well-Being: Communities Leading Transformation

• Supports community-led initiatives addressing urgent local needs
• Focus on healing and well-being programmes addressing trauma and community violence impacts in communities of colour
• Funding for violence prevention initiatives
• Recent example: Advance Peace received $750,000 for gun violence interruption Peacemaker Fellowship programme

2. Equity in Access: Defending Health Care and Immigrant Rights

• Healthcare coverage and access regardless of immigration status
• Sexual and reproductive health services, with focus on women of colour
• Black maternal and infant health initiatives
• Community health centres and clinics, especially in rural Northern California, Sacramento region, Central Valley, and Central Coast
• Recent examples:
  • California Immigrant Policy Centre: $1 million for statewide immigrant health care access hub
  • Black Wellness and Prosperity Centre: Funding for doula workforce initiative and Black father programming in Fresno County
  • Horizons Foundation: $405,000 for LGBTQ+ community support

3. Economic Security & Dignity: Strengthening the Floor and Raising the Ceiling

• Quality education access
• Good jobs with fair wages and benefits
• Support for Black Worker Centres
• Small businesses, worker-owned cooperatives, and microenterprises led by people of colour, immigrants, refugees, or low-income individuals
• Affordable housing initiatives
• Recent examples: San Diego Black Worker Centre, UCLA Labour Centre, and Inland Empire Black Worker Centre received funding for economic advancement

4. Leading for Power & Change: Striving for Racial Justice

• Racial justice advocacy and organising
• Disability justice initiatives with disability-led organisations
• Youth empowerment and civic engagement
• Nonprofit infrastructure strengthening
• Recent example: LOUD For Tomorrow received $300,000 for youth empowerment summit for BIPOC, queer and trans leaders

Special Multi-Year Initiatives:

• Women of Colour Health Initiatives: $13+ million invested over six years for Black and Latinx women's health and economic opportunity
• Rapid Response Funding: Flexible funding for emerging needs

Typical Grant Amounts by Type:

• Core operating support: $300,000 - $800,000 over 2-3 years
• Programme-specific grants: $94,000 - $400,000
• Large strategic initiatives: $675,000 - $1,000,000+ (multi-year)

Priority Areas

Target Populations (must serve one or more):

• Low-income communities
• People of colour (with specific attention to Black and Latinx populations)
• Youth
• Immigrants and refugees
• Rural residents

Priority Strategies:

• Direct services addressing urgent community needs
• Public policy advocacy and systems change
• Leadership development and capacity building
• Community organising and power-building
• Legal defence and strategic communications

Geographic Priorities:

• Statewide focus with particular interest in underserved rural areas
• Organisations headquartered outside California are eligible if work benefits California residents

What They Don't Fund

• International work or organisations located outside the United States
• Work that does not benefit California residents
• Healing and well-being programmes without clear strategy for addressing trauma and community violence impacts in communities of colour
• Standalone conferences
• Requests that do not align with at least one of the four portfolio areas and their specific goals
• Individual scholarships or grants (must go through organisational partners)

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Richard Tate (appointed September 2023) Richard Tate leads the foundation with a clear commitment to health and social justice. He previously served in leadership roles at the Stupski Foundation and brings expertise in equity-focused philanthropy.

Key Leadership Quotes:

On current priorities: "The people and organisations we support are facing unprecedented challenges—but they are not backing down, and neither are we. This is a time to be clear in our intentions, to stand firm in our beliefs, and to stay in the fight to advance health and wellness for all."

On racial equity: "The explicit way that we've named race as a critical factor in determining whether people are able to live healthy and well in California has been important work that needs to continue."

On the state of California: "Californians believe in the promise of our state, but far too many are struggling to meet the basic needs of a healthy life."

Board Leadership:

• Board Chair: Terence Mulligan (elected fall 2024, previously served as Board Treasurer from January 2021)
• Immediate Past Chair: Pamela J. Simms-Mackey, M.D., FAAP
• Board Treasurer: Geri Yang-Johnson
• Board Secretary: Xóchitl Castañeda

Recent Board Additions (January 2025):

• John Kim, President and CEO of Catalyst
• Kaci Patterson, advocate for Black communities in California

The Board provides strategic oversight while staff leads grantmaking, evaluations, organisational learning, community relations, communications, public policy strategies, and manages the foundation's investments and operations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Interest (LOI)

• First step for all applicants
• Takes approximately 5 minutes to complete online
• Must be completed in one sitting (cannot save and return)
• Download the Word template from the website to draft responses before starting online submission
• Requires a two-page Request Narrative addressing issues the project will tackle

Application Windows:

• LOIs accepted during specific cycle windows (e.g., July 1-31)
• Deadlines are firm: submissions must be received by 11:59 PM on the last day of the cycle
• If declined, organisations may reapply immediately in subsequent cycles—no waiting period required

Step 2: Full Proposal (by invitation only)

• Only organisations invited after LOI review submit full proposals
• Foundation may negotiate different grant amounts than originally requested
• Programme officers discuss appropriate funding levels individually

Eligibility:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisations of all sizes
• Government entities and public school districts (no nonprofit partner required)
• Fiscally sponsored programmes
• Collaboratives (one lead organisation submits)
• Organisations headquartered outside California if work benefits California residents
• No minimum operational history required

Important Notes:

• If your request fits multiple funding areas, submit only one LOI—staff will route appropriately
• Past grantees receive no special priority in decision-making
• Previous funding denial does not create barriers to future applications

Decision Timeline

LOI Review: 60 days after cycle closes

• Organisations receive notification about LOI status
• If invited to submit full proposal, invitation comes within this timeframe

Full Proposal Review: Varies by complexity

• Programme officers work with invited applicants on proposal development
• Timeline discussed individually based on grant scope

Communication: Foundation staff provides feedback to declined applicants when possible

Success Rates

Volume of Activity:

• 2023: 794 grants awarded totalling $56,990,667
• 2022: 611 grants awarded
• 2021: 605 grants awarded
• 2024 (first half): $26.5 million in grants awarded

Estimated Success Rate: While specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed, the foundation awarded nearly 800 grants from what is likely several thousand inquiries annually, suggesting a moderately competitive process. Organisations aligned with funding priorities and demonstrating strong community connections and capacity have the best chances.

Reapplication Policy

No Waiting Period: Organisations whose LOIs are declined may reapply immediately in the next cycle. There is no mandatory waiting period between applications.

Feedback: The foundation provides feedback to declined applicants when possible to strengthen future proposals. Applicants appreciate this guidance for improving subsequent submissions.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Foundation

Alignment is Essential: "If your request does not align with our current grantmaking priorities, it is unlikely to be funded." Review the "What We Fund" and "What We Don't Fund" sections under each portfolio's goal areas carefully before applying.

Decision Criteria: The foundation bases funding decisions on four factors:

1. Fit with priorities: Must align with at least one portfolio area
2. Community need: Clear demonstration of urgent need being addressed
3. Available funding: Competition varies by cycle and portfolio
4. Organisational capacity: Ability to execute proposed work effectively

From Leadership: Richard Tate emphasises the foundation's commitment to organisations working at "the intersection of health and social justice" and those explicitly addressing how "race as a critical factor" determines health outcomes in California.

Recently Funded Projects as Examples

Community Health & Maternal Justice:

• Black Wellness and Prosperity Centre: Doula workforce initiative, Black fathers programming, provider training, mental health and reproductive care education (Fresno County)
• Two grassroots organisations: $800,000 total for reducing racial disparities in Black maternal health outcomes

Violence Prevention:

• Advance Peace: $750,000 for gun violence interruption through Peacemaker Fellowship

Immigrant Rights:

• California Immigrant Policy Centre: $1 million statewide hub for immigrant healthcare access

LGBTQ+ Health:

• Horizons Foundation: $405,000 for mobilising resources to LGBTQ+ movement, with re-granting to underserved populations

Economic Justice:

• Multiple Black Worker Centres: Support for advancing economic well-being of Black workers
• UCLA Labour Centre and partners: $500,000+ for CARE at Work initiative

Youth Leadership:

• LOUD For Tomorrow: $300,000 for community organising and youth empowerment summit for BIPOC, queer and trans leaders

Language and Terminology

The foundation uses and responds to:

• Health equity and wellness (not just healthcare)
• Systemic barriers and structural racism
• Community-led and community power
• Dignity and respect in institutional treatment
• Immigrant rights (not just services)
• Racial justice as explicit goal
• Disability justice (centring disabled leadership)
• Economic security and economic well-being
• References to specific populations: Black communities, Latinx communities, LGBTQ+, rural residents

Tips for Standing Out

1. Be Explicit About Race: Don't shy away from naming how race and racism affect the communities you serve. The foundation specifically looks for work that addresses racial inequities.

2. Show Community Leadership: Demonstrate that your work is community-led, not externally imposed. Highlight how community members shape your strategies and solutions.

3. Connect Health to Justice: Make clear connections between health outcomes and social justice issues like economic security, immigration status, or housing.

4. Demonstrate Systems-Change Approach: While direct services are funded, show how your work contributes to longer-term systems change through policy advocacy, organising, or infrastructure building.

5. Highlight Rural Reach: If serving rural California, emphasise this—the foundation actively seeks rural applications and notes they receive fewer than desired.

6. Emphasise Multi-Year Impact: The foundation increasingly provides multi-year grants for organisational stability. Show how sustained funding would deepen impact.

7. Consider Collaborative Applications: If working in partnership, consider submitting as a collaborative with one lead—the foundation supports multi-organisation initiatives.

8. Use the Grants Database: Review past grants at similar funding levels and to organisations with similar missions to understand what the foundation has supported.

9. Be Realistic About Capacity: Honestly assess and communicate your organisational capacity. The foundation evaluates ability to execute, not just the idea's merit.

10. Respond to Current Context: While the foundation seeks "evergreen" priorities, they maintain flexible rapid-response funding. If addressing urgent emerging needs within their portfolio areas, make this clear.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Explicit racial justice lens is required: The foundation has moved beyond "diversity and inclusion" language to explicitly centring race and racism. Applications that don't name racial inequity as central to the problem and solution are unlikely to succeed.

• Community power matters more than service delivery: While direct services are funded, the foundation prioritises work that builds community power, leadership, and organising capacity. Frame services within broader systems-change strategy.

• Target populations must be primary beneficiaries: Ensure low-income communities, communities of colour, immigrants, youth, or rural residents are the primary (not secondary) beneficiaries of your work.

• Geographic focus on underserved areas: Rural California applicants are particularly encouraged. Urban applicants should emphasise work in low-income neighbourhoods and communities of colour.

• Multi-year funding strategy: The foundation prefers multi-year grants for organisational stability. Consider requesting 2-3 year support rather than single-year grants when appropriate.

• No penalty for reapplication: If declined, you can reapply immediately in the next cycle. Use feedback to strengthen your approach and try again.

• Strategic flexibility exists: While portfolio areas are defined, the foundation negotiates grant amounts and can flex to support emerging needs. Programme officers are approachable for conversations about fit.

• Mission-aligned investment approach: The foundation has committed 100% of its endowment to mission-related investments, demonstrating deep commitment to systemic change. This signals they value applicants working on root causes, not just symptoms.

References

1. The California Wellness Foundation Official Website - "What We Fund" (https://www.calwellness.org/money/what-we-fund/) - Accessed November 2025

2. The California Wellness Foundation - "Apply for a Grant" (https://www.calwellness.org/money/apply-grant/) - Accessed November 2025

3. The California Wellness Foundation - "Questions and Answers (Q&A)" (https://www.calwellness.org/questions-and-answers-qa/) - Accessed November 2025

4. The California Wellness Foundation - "Our Story" (https://www.calwellness.org/mission/our-story/) - Accessed November 2025

5. The California Wellness Foundation - "Staff & Board" (https://www.calwellness.org/staff-and-board/) and (https://www.calwellness.org/mission/staff/) and (https://www.calwellness.org/mission/board/) - Accessed November 2025

6. The California Wellness Foundation - "Cal Wellness Commits a Record $67 Million To Support Health and Racial Justice" (https://www.calwellness.org/news/cal-wellness-commits-a-record-67-million-to-support-health-and-racial-justice/) - Accessed November 2025

7. The California Wellness Foundation - "Cal Wellness Awards Grants Totalling $26.5 Million in First Half of 2024" (https://www.calwellness.org/news/cal-wellness-awards-grants-first-half-of-2024/) - Accessed November 2025

8. The California Wellness Foundation - "Announcing $10.2 Million in Grants and Programme-Related Investments" (https://www.calwellness.org/news/announcing-10-2-million-in-grants-and-program-related-investments/) - Accessed November 2025

9. Inside Philanthropy - "Seven Questions for Richard Tate, New President and CEO of The California Wellness Foundation" (https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2023-11-2-seven-questions-for-richard-tate-new-president-and-ceo-of-the-california-wellness-foundation) - Accessed November 2025

10. Philanthropy News Digest - "California Wellness Foundation announces $67 million in investments" (https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/california-wellness-foundation-announces-67-million-in-investments) - Accessed November 2025

11. The California Wellness Foundation - "Cal Wellness Board Elects New Leadership" (https://www.calwellness.org/news/new-leadership-board/) - Accessed November 2025

12. The California Wellness Foundation - "The California Wellness Foundation Welcomes John Kim and Kaci Patterson to its Board of Directors" (https://www.calwellness.org/news/the-california-wellness-foundation-welcomes-john-kim-and-kaci-patterson-to-its-board-of-directors/) - Accessed November 2025

13. Instrumentl - "California Wellness Foundation | 990 Report" (https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-california-wellness-foundation) - Accessed November 2025

14. InfluenceWatch - "California Wellness Foundation" (https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/california-wellness-foundation/) - Accessed November 2025

15. UCLA Labour Centre - "The California Wellness Foundation Grants CARE at Work $500,000" (https://labor.ucla.edu/the-california-wellness-foundation-grants-care-at-work-500000/) - Accessed November 2025