The Burnham Center for Community Advancement (BCCA) in San Diego has announced a $20 million gift from Malin and Roberta Burnham to help sustain the organization they established in 2020.

BCCA was established as a “think-and-do tank” to spur civic engagement and collaboration and help make the region a better place to live, work, and play. To that end, BCCA provides a platform for community leaders, businesses, educators, workers, researchers, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, residents, and governments to advance community engagement, vigorous dialogue, research, data, and best practices.

Beyond its efforts to promote the San Diego-Tijuana World Design Capital 2024 effort and sustain Balboa Park, BCCA’s focus areas include housing affordability, transit and mobility, rebuilding community fabric, and spreading economic prosperity to communities in the region that have not shared in San Diego’s success. The organization hosts community dialogues on the topics for the community to engage regional and global leaders to spark new ideas and build a common space that might lead to collective positive actions.

“With our mission to help make the San Diego binational region a better place to live, work, and play for all, and to create a platform that enhances the work of others in the region, Malin and Roberta’s investment in BCCA is truly a gift for the entire community,” said BCCA founding president and CEO Tad Parzen. “Through this investment, BCCA will continue to enhance the binational community and have the sustainability to get meaningful things done.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Art Wager)