With the aim of advancing health equity in the state, the California Wellness Foundation has announced first-quarter grants totaling $6.9 million and an additional $1.5 million in impact investments.

Multiyear and core operating support grants were awarded to help address health disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and to amplify the voices, leadership, and power of people of color. Grants include $775,000 in support of food banks and home meal delivery programs serving Alameda, Auburn, Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, San Diego, San Francisco and Tulare counties. Recipients include the Alameda County Community Food Bank, Latino Leadership Council, FOOD, Inc., Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Serving Seniors, St. Barnabas Senior Center of Los Angeles, Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, and On Lok Day Services.

In addition, the foundation awarded seven grants totaling $1.9 million to expand access to health care and strengthen the healthcare safety net. Grant recipients include Alliance Health Clinic, McCloud Healthcare Clinic, Todos Para La Salud, and Community Health Initiative of Orange County, the UC Riverside School of Medicine and the Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science.

And with the aim of addressing systemic barriers related to race and gender in the financial sector and increase the flow of capital to traditionally undercapitalized investment managers and entrepreneurs, the foundation awarded program-related investments (PRIs) of $500,000 to Vamos Ventures and $1 million to Inner City Advisors (ICA).

"The COVID-19 recession has pushed Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant communities to the edge. People are struggling to put food on their tables," said Cal Wellness president and CEO Judy Belk. "Economic security is a key determinant of health. How can families be well if they are worried they can't afford to feed their loved ones or don't have access to nutritious foods?"

For a complete list of the foundation's first-quarter grants, see the Cal Wellness website.

(Photo credit: LA Regional Food Bank)