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The California Endowment

Annual Giving
$215.9M
Grant Range
$15K - $13.0M
Decision Time
2mo

The California Endowment

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $215.9 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $4.1 billion
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $13,000,000
  • Number of Awards: 1,117 grants (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Statewide California with emphasis on four large regions
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Headquarters: 1000 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012-1804

Phone: (213) 928-8800 or (800) 449-4149

Email: questions@calendow.org

Website: www.calendow.org

Grant Portal: tce.smartsimple.com

Overview

The California Endowment (TCE) is California's largest private health foundation, established in 1996 through the conversion of Blue Cross of California. With over $4.1 billion in assets, the foundation has awarded more than 22,000 grants totaling over $2.9 billion since its inception. Under the leadership of President and CEO Brenda Solórzano (appointed 2024), described as "an early architect of trust-based philanthropy," TCE is committed to advancing health equity and racial justice throughout California. The foundation's approach emphasizes transforming systemic "rules"—laws, policies, and institutions—rather than focusing solely on individual interventions. TCE has committed to allocating the majority of its grantmaking dollars to marginalized communities and at least 25 percent to social justice strategies such as advocacy, community organizing, and civic engagement. In 2021, the foundation issued a historic $300 million Social Bond to advance racial and health justice, and is currently implementing a Bridge Strategy with up to $160 million annually from 2025-2027 while preparing a long-term strategic plan to launch in 2027.

Funding Priorities

Bridge Strategy (2025-2027)

The California Endowment is implementing a Bridge Strategy that allows them to respond quickly and strategically with expanded funding commitment of up to $160 million per year through 2027. The strategy focuses on four large geographic regions covering nearly double the counties previously served: Northern California (including Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Sacramento, Shasta, Trinity), Central California (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare), Los Angeles, and Southern California.

Priority Areas

Health Justice: Sustaining current Health Justice grantee partners to continue building power to shift conditions that create healthy outcomes in California.

Social Determinants of Health: Supporting initiatives addressing housing stability, education, and economic opportunity as pathways to health equity.

Community Power Building: Investing in infrastructure, leadership development, and capacity for community-based organizations and grassroots coalitions to drive systems change.

Health Workforce & Climate Resiliency: Supporting infrastructure investments that advance racial and health justice, particularly through the foundation's Social Bond program.

Youth Organizing and Leadership Development: Empowering young people as change agents in their communities.

Grant Types and Amounts

TCE awards single- and multi-year grants for:

  • Program and project support
  • General operations (43% of grants in 2022, up from 22% the previous year)
  • Direct charitable activities
  • Program-related investments

Grant amounts range from $15,000 to $13,000,000, with hundreds of grants made annually to organizations of all sizes across California.

Historical Context: Building Healthy Communities (2010-2020)

TCE's decade-long, $1.75 billion Building Healthy Communities (BHC) initiative transformed 14 California communities through comprehensive power-building and systems change work. BHC contributed to over 1,200 policy changes across schools, neighborhoods, and preventive health, focusing on social determinants of health and advancing racial equity. The 14 communities included: Boyle Heights, Central Santa Ana, Central/Southeast/Southwest Fresno, City Heights, Del Norte and Tribal Lands, Eastern Coachella Valley, East Oakland, East Salinas (Alisal), Long Beach, Richmond, South Sacramento, South Los Angeles, South Kern, and Southwest Merced/East Merced County.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of gender identity, expression, or sexual orientation
  • Projects outside California
  • The foundation does not invest in tobacco companies, for-profit prisons, or firearms manufacturers (investment policy)

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO

Brenda Solórzano was appointed President and CEO in 2024. She is a nationally recognized leader in trust-based philanthropy and previously developed the Headwaters Foundation according to trust-based principles. Solórzano emphasizes: "We must fund not just services, but ideas that make our communities healthier. We are ready to move at the speed of trust and with the urgency that justice demands."

Board Leadership

Kurt Chilcott serves as Board Chair.

Board of Directors (Recent Appointments)

  • Dr. Tyrone Howard - Pritzker Family Endowed Chair and professor of education at UCLA, founder and director of the UCLA Black Male Institute
  • Louie Nguyen - CEO of SAY San Diego, overseeing mental health, after-school, and veterans' services for over 30,000 individuals annually
  • María Blanco - Former Executive Director of the UC Immigrant Student Legal Services Center
  • Michele Siqueiros - CEO of the Los Angeles Local News Initiative
  • Donnell Ewert - Consultant in health and government organization/leadership, former Director of Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency

Former Leadership

Robert K. Ross, MD served as President and CEO for 24 years (2000-2024), leading the foundation's transformation toward power-building and health equity. Ross emphasized supporting "the marginalized and the oppressed, and the systems that impact their health."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The California Endowment does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Funding opportunities are by invitation only.

Program Managers are actively engaged with their respective campaigns and are responsible for identifying prospective contractors and grantees who could provide services and advance TCE's charitable purpose. Organizations selected to apply receive an email containing a link for submitting their contract application and supplemental documents through the foundation's SmartSimple portal (tce.smartsimple.com).

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only model, interested organizations can take the following specific steps:

  • Network with current TCE grantees: Building relationships with funded organizations can help you understand the foundation's work and potentially lead to introductions with program staff.

  • Participate in TCE programs and events: The foundation hosts and participates in community events throughout their four regional focus areas.

  • Submit general inquiries: Contact questions@calendow.org or call (800) 449-4149 to introduce your organization and inquire about potential alignment with foundation priorities.

  • Reach out to regional staff: The endowment has staff at five locations throughout California who are connected to regional priorities and initiatives.

Decision Timeline

The review process typically takes 6-8 weeks from submission to decision. Approved applicants receive award documents via DocuSign.

Trust-Based Philanthropy Approach

TCE structures its work around six core trust-based philanthropy principles:

  1. Give Multi-Year Unrestricted Funding
  2. Do The Homework
  3. Simplify & Streamline Paperwork
  4. Be Transparent & Responsive
  5. Solicit & Act On Feedback
  6. Offer Support Beyond The Check

In accordance with these principles, The California Endowment is currently waiving grant reporting requirements until further notice, and board discretionary grants are now treated as gifts rather than requiring contracts.

Application Success Factors

Since TCE operates on an invitation-only model, organizations that receive invitations to apply have already been vetted for strategic alignment. However, the following factors are critical for organizations hoping to work with the foundation:

Demonstrate Strategic Alignment

Power-Building Focus: TCE views building community power as the means for achieving health equity. The foundation believes more powerful communities can secure policy victories and systems changes. Show how your work develops leadership, builds coalitions, and mobilizes communities for systemic change.

Health Equity Lens: According to their chief learning officer, TCE is "committed to a trust-based approach where we're giving the power and removing the roadblocks for communities to really decide themselves how to allocate resources." Applications should demonstrate community-driven approaches rather than top-down interventions.

Systems Change Orientation: President Solórzano emphasizes transforming systemic "rules"—laws, policies, and institutions—that obstruct community health. Successful projects address root causes and structural barriers, not just symptoms.

Geographic and Community Focus

Organizations working in TCE's four priority regions (Northern California, Central California, Los Angeles, Southern California) and serving marginalized communities are prioritized. At least 25% of funding goes to social justice strategies including advocacy, community organizing, and civic engagement.

Relationship Building

One grantee on GrantAdvisor noted the importance of "establishing a relationship with a program officer and working together to find a fit," adding that program officers "work closely to ensure successful applications if you get to the point of being asked to submit a proposal."

Specific to Their Focus Areas

TCE is described as "very specific about what they are funding," with emphasis on their "three bold investment ideas" approach focused on health equity, community organizing, justice reform, and inclusive communities.

Collaborative Approach

The foundation has embraced a collaborative funding model that encourages partnerships among nonprofits, community organizations, and public agencies. Demonstrating coalition-building and collaborative capacity strengthens applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: TCE does not accept unsolicited proposals, so building relationships with program staff and current grantees is essential for getting on their radar.

  • Trust-based approach: With 43% of grants now for general operating support (up from 22%), streamlined reporting, and multi-year commitments, TCE prioritizes flexibility and trust over tight restrictions—align your ask accordingly.

  • Power-building is central: TCE views community power as the pathway to health equity; emphasize how your work develops leadership, builds coalitions, and drives policy change rather than just providing services.

  • Long-term commitment: TCE's history includes a 10-year, $1.75 billion initiative (BHC) and current multi-year Bridge Strategy—they invest deeply in sustained systems change, not quick fixes.

  • Geographic specificity matters: While statewide, TCE focuses on four large regions and marginalized communities; clearly articulate your geographic reach and the communities you serve.

  • Move at "the speed of trust and with the urgency that justice demands": As President Solórzano states, TCE seeks partners ready to act boldly on racial and health equity, not incremental approaches.

  • Decision timeline is relatively quick: With a 6-8 week review process for invited proposals, TCE moves efficiently once organizations are in their pipeline—be prepared to move quickly when invited.

References

  1. The California Endowment GuideStar Profile, accessed December 2025: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/95-4523232

  2. The California Endowment Foundation Directory, Candid, accessed December 2025: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=CALI071

  3. The California Endowment - Strategic Planning, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/strategic-planning/

  4. The California Endowment - Grants page, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/grants/

  5. The California Endowment - Grant Information & Application Details, Hinchilla, accessed December 2025: https://www.hinchilla.com/funders-us/36-3522179-the-california-endowment

  6. The California Endowment - All Grantees, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/all-grantees/

  7. The California Endowment official website, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/

  8. California Endowment - InfluenceWatch, accessed December 2025: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/california-endowment/

  9. The California Endowment Profile on GrantAdvisor, accessed December 2025: https://grantadvisor.org/profile.php?ein=95-4523232

  10. The California Endowment Inside Philanthropy profile, accessed December 2025: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/southern-california-grants/the-california-endowment

  11. A Conversation on Philanthropy with Robert K. Ross, USC Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy, accessed December 2025: https://cppp.usc.edu/reflections_robert_k_ross/

  12. "Brenda Solórzano on urgency, resilience and the future of philanthropy," Sacramento News & Review, July 10, 2025: https://sacramento.newsreview.com/2025/07/10/brenda-solorzano-california-endowment-urgency-resilience-future-of-philanthropy/

  13. The California Endowment - Leadership page, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/leadership/

  14. "Standing With Communities While Building Forward: A New Vision for The California Endowment," accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/standing-with-communities-while-building-forward-a-new-vision-for-the-california-endowment/

  15. "Building Healthy Communities: A Decade in Review," The California Endowment, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/learning/executive-summary/

  16. Building Healthy Communities Executive Report 2010-2020, The California Endowment (PDF), accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/app/uploads/2021/04/The_California_Endowment_Decade_In_Review_2010_2020_Executive_Report.pdf

  17. The California Endowment - Our Story, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/our-story/

  18. "The California Endowment Welcomes Two New Board Members," accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/the-california-endowment-welcomes-two-new-board-members/

  19. The California Endowment - Priority Areas, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/priority-areas/

  20. The California Endowment - Our Focus Areas, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/focus-area-list/

  21. TCE Grant Making 2023, The California Endowment, accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/thank-you-dr-robert-k-ross/tce-grant-making-2023/

  22. The California Endowment 990 Report, Instrumentl, accessed December 2025: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-california-endowment

  23. "Health Care-Access Maverick to Lead California Endowment," The Chronicle of Philanthropy, accessed December 2025: https://www.philanthropy.com/article/health-care-access-maverick-to-lead-california-endowment

  24. Key Findings and Recommendations from The California Endowment 2022 GPR Memo (PDF), accessed December 2025: https://www.calendow.org/app/uploads/2024/02/California-Endowment-2022-GPR-Memo-of-Key-Findings-FINAL-101223.pdf

  25. "'A Very Powerful Moment.' The California Endowment Goes Big for Community Organizing," Inside Philanthropy, June 11, 2024: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2024-6-11-a-very-powerful-moment-the-california-endowment-goes-big-for-community-organizing

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