Parks for All
As part of the BHC campaign, community resident leadership leverages hundreds of millions for park investments in areas of Fresno where access was limited or absent.
BHC sites offer ground-breaking case examples of how community organizing can not only promote environmental justice and yield improvements in water access and quality, it can also increase equitable development of parks and recreation and active transportation infrastructure.
Some of the wins championed by BHC participants during the initiative:
- Santa Ana (2012): $380k Pacific Electric Exercise Park opened in Santa Ana’s Madison Park neighborhood, funded by federal trail enhancement funds.
- City Heights (2016): A $1M canyon restoration project in Manzanita Canyon promoted healthy behaviors and access to outdoor open green space for young people of color and their families in City Heights.
- Eastern Coachella Valley (2018): Community of North Shore held its grand opening of a five-acre park, the culmination of a six-year community-led design process in partnership with BHC partners and Desert Recreation District.
- Statewide (2018): Voters passed prop 68 (Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018) by 57.8%, which provided $4.1B in bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection and restoration projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects.
-
Hundreds of Millions
Leveraged for Parks Investments in CA
“The central path to the Beloved Community is through community voice and community power.”
DR. ROBERT K. ROSS President & CEO, The California Endowment
Browse Other Changes Planted by Dr. Ross
Building Healthy Communities $1B invested over 10 years
Health4All 38.6 million lives impacted
Youth Awards 37 total awards given
Schools Not Prisons & BMOC Millions reached since 2016
Farmworker Health $50M initiative
TCE Grant Making 2023 $381M awarded
Youth on the Board 1st of large foundations in US to have youth on the board
Childhood Obesity & Freshworks $272M to expand access to fresh and healthy foods in low-income communities
CHIS 20,000 households interviewed annually to find health gaps in CA
Kids Health Coverage Campaign $4M to help enroll children in health programs
Cultural Competency/Health Workforce/PRIME $78.2M to CA organizations working to boost the size and diversity of the state's healthcare workforce
TCE Headquarters 125,000+ use our facilities every year
Wishing Wall
Thank you for all that you’ve done! Please enjoy your retirement. You deserve it!
- Martha Dina Arguello & PSR-LA
All the blessings in the world for your much deserved retirement. Thank you for your commitment to equity.
- Pico California
You inspired me to keep endeavoring in education even when it's hard. Thank you.
Congratulations on a wonderful 24 years of impact! May God bless you and keep you!
Dr. Ross,
Thank you for all your hard work. Wishing you tons of reset and peace, Dr. Ross.
- Nancy Nunez
Bob:
Thanks for 24 years of service to TCE and all Californians! Enjoy your new adventures!
Thank you for being a mentor and inspiration. You have truly made a difference in California and the world.
Dr. Ross,
Thank you for your unwavering support of the HCA and the BHC. You made a difference in the world, and supported us to do the same.
In gratitude,
- Yvonne Maria Jimenez
NLSLA
Dr. Ross,
Deep gratitude for your leadership and commitment to equity and justice.
Dr. Ross -
Wishing you abundance in this next chapter! Thank you for your infinite sacrifices for justice.
- Sonya Diaz
Thank you for all of the years of big ideas and humble connection.
Dr. Ross -
I want to thank and appreciate you for being an advocate for our most underserved communities and our boys of color. It is with deep gratitude that I can say that your investments have given me a career and supported my healing journey.
- Omar Torres
Dr. Ross,
I hope you have some amazing adventures planned. Enjoy!
- Andrea Williams (Southside Coalition)
We wish you well wishes.
- Brotherhood Crusade
Dr. Ross -
I learned so much from you and loved working together on op-eds, etc… After a break, I think you have a book in you.
Blessed to be a part of your celebration and life, Bob!
Bob!
Rest. Relax. Renew. Have fun…
- Kisha Grove
We are forever grateful for your tireless work to make CA a beloved community for all! Si se puede!
With deep appreciation,
- Mayra Alvarez & The Children’s Partnership team
Dr. Ross,
You rock.
Best wishes!
- Melinda Smith and the Helpguide team
Unveiling Our
2025 Annual
Report
The California Endowment is proud to present our 2025 annual report. Read about the work we are supporting and our partners who are changing California to a state of belonging and inclusion.
View Report