I am writing to share an update about a growing area of The Campbell Foundation’s work: our grantmaking in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to further our efforts in this area, and I want to share how we’re investing in communities that are deeply important to me.
The San Joaquin Valley is the landlocked basin between northern and southern California and is one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions, contributing billions of dollars to the California economy each year. Paradoxically, decades of extractive practices and disinvestment have left residents to face concentrated poverty and systemic inequities. Still, the region is close to my heart; it’s where I was born and raised, and where I reside with my family today.
The Foundation first began funding in the San Joaquin Valley in 2018, supporting organizations working on the implementation of SGMA, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. There was a keen interest at the Foundation in supporting access to safe and affordable drinking water, which continues to be a challenge for many in the region. At about the same time the Foundation’s community engagement efforts were progressing in our Chesapeake Initiative, we began very intentional outreach to groups in Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties in California. In addition to the significant water issues in the region, each of these counties struggles with a high concentration of Disadvantaged Communities that suffer disproportionately from economic and health burdens. Our exploration (and my personal experience) showed us counties where nonprofit leaders and others are using their will and creative energy to make social change. With this in mind, we identified other priority areas for the San Joaquin Valley portfolio, in addition to our initial efforts surrounding safe drinking water, that aim to address systemic inequities:
- Economic Development
- Farmworker Support
- Health Equity
- Immigrant Rights and Legal Services
- Investigative Journalism
- Leadership Development (youth and adult)
- LGBTQ+ Advocacy (youth and adult)
- Public Participation in Civic and Local Processes
- Water Management
This list is lengthy but not exhaustive. I am proud to share that, in recent years, we have awarded a total of $4.1m to more than 40 groups working to improve conditions in the San Joaquin Valley. These partners are advancing community health, education, leadership and organizing skills, and so much more. As we learn about emerging issues from community groups and funding partners, we will continue our endeavor to supply needed resources for these community-facing efforts.
I am eager to evolve this grant portfolio, and to share with you in future messages how The Campbell Foundation’s contributions to San Joaquin Valley groups help improve the quality of life for residents and enable communities to prosper.
Until then, take care.
Sara Almaraz (she/her)
Program Officer, Pacific