Our Strategies:
Efforts that create high-quality jobs, stimulate economic activity or maintain affordable housing in underinvested areas of the East Bay. We prioritize programs that engage residents in the economic development process whenever possible, as well as organizations that specifically develop jobs for individuals who have challenges to employment.
Microenterprise, worker cooperative and microloan programs that help low-income individuals start and grow small businesses and co-ops in the East Bay.
Capacity building and technical assistance to the local community economic development field.
Our Desired Outcomes:
High-quality jobs created and retained.
New businesses opened, with annual increases in profitability.
Increase in survival rate of businesses over time.
Improvement in household income, credit, savings and debt for microentrepreneurs and co-op worker-owners.
Grantee Spotlight
Inner City Advisors
Recognizing that small businesses are significant drivers of job creation and growth, the Foundation has invested in Oakland-based Inner City Advisors (ICA) through grants to support services, as well as a program related loan to fund small businesses’ growth capital needs. ICA provides education, advising and investment to high-impact entrepreneurs, allowing them to scale their small businesses and create good jobs. ICA focuses its services on small businesses committed to and capable of creating a large number of local entry-level and mid-level jobs that pay above a living wage, offer full health and dental benefits, and provide life ladders for employees to move up within the company. ICA further ensures that people with high barriers to employment are connected to good job opportunities in the East Bay.
Resources
California Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA)
CCEDA is a California clearinghouse that advances the field of community economic development through training, continuing education, technical assistance, and advocacy on public policy.
PolicyLink
PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity; they connect the work of people on the ground to the creation of sustainable communities of opportunity that allow everyone to participate and prosper. PolicyLink prioritizes access to quality jobs, affordable housing, good schools, transportation, and the benefits of healthy food and physical activity.
Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC)
Located in Oakland, SELC provides legal education, research, advice, and advocacy to support worker cooperatives and other types of sustainable businesses.