The California Wellness Foundation has announced 26 grants totaling $10.2 million to advance health equity in California.

The foundation awarded grants across its four Advancing Wellness portfolios, focusing on closing gaps in Black maternal and infant health, championing Black workers and an equitable economy, and investing in affordable housing in historically marginalized communities. Funds include operating support totaling $800,000 to grassroots organizations working to reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities in healthy birth outcomes for Black women, including Black Wellness and Prosperity Center. As part of its Community Well-being portfolio, the foundation awarded a $750,000 grant to Advance Peace to support its gun violence interruption program. As part of its Economic Security & Dignity portfolio, the foundation awarded $500,000 each to the Los Angeles Black Worker Center and End Poverty in California for their work against anti-Black discrimination in hiring and advancement.

In addition, the foundation awarded a $1.5 million program-related investment (PRI) in Little Tokyo Service Center to assist the construction of affordable housing in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles and help revive the area’s struggling community. The PRI is supplemented with a grant of $300,000 to support delivery of direct services that advance health equity.

“Cal Wellness continues its legacy of support for leading nonprofits that have the skills to deliver quality services, conduct important research, and mobilize communities to advocate for policies that advance health equity. We look forward to deepening our commitment and building new partnerships in 2024 and beyond,” said Cal Wellness vice president of programs Lori A. Cox.

For a complete list of recipients, visit the Cal Wellness website.

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