Mission:
To expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians.

Background:
The California Endowment was founded in 1996 when Blue Cross of California converted to a for-profit entity; the California Health Care Foundation was created at the same time, but the two are independently governed and operated. The largest health foundation in the state, the endowment has four regional offices and takes a regional approach to grantmaking. It awarded approximately $135 million in grants in 2006.

Outstanding Web Features:
The endowment's recently redesigned Web site features soft colors, striking photography, improved navigation, and an abundance of program and healthcare information. The updated publications section is searchable by topic; the multimedia newsroom features podcasts, videos, photos, and articles; and Bob's Blog is a platform for endowment president Dr. Robert K. Ross to weigh in on issues of importance. The site also highlights the services of the endowment-sponsored Center for Healthy Communities, which opened in 2006 and provides conference space, classes, and networking opportunities to nonprofit healthcare organizations, and, with a bow to transparency, provides information about the ethnicity and gender of endowment employees and board members.