2010-2020 BHC Dashboard

Building Healthy Communities: A Decade in Review

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GOAL 1

Building Voice & Power

Historically excluded adults and youth residents have voice, agency, and power in public and private decision making to create an inclusive democracy and close health equity gaps.

BHC partners contributed to 1,200+ wins…

Number of Wins
Campaign wins by 3 campaigns

Definitions

  • Policy – A policy change attempts to change public laws, regulations, rules, mandates (public policy), or budget/fundings.
  • Systems change – A systems change attemps to shift the way broader systems (e.g. health, public safety, local govt.) make decisions about policies, programs, and the allocation or use of resources.
  • Tangible Benefits – A tangible benefit is defined as a newly established physical asset (building), space, or facility (e.g. community centers, parks, health centers), as well as physical improvements (e.g. such as walking trails, playground equipment, and murals) that resulted from TCE and/or BHC collaborative support within a site.
Note: The policy changes identified here reflect accomplishments championed by BHC participants during the initiative, but not necessarily with TCE funds. All TCE grants to BHC participants were made in compliance with the requirements of federal tax law.
Sources: BHC Policy Inventory Tool, 2020.

…by investing in a dynamic power building ecosystem

Over the course of the decade, BHC shifted and centered an organizing approach with grassroots community-based organiations as the leaders, architects, and drivers of a larger power-building movement and helped build an emerging ecosystem of organizations with diverse capacities, skills, and expertise – and with reach from local, to regional, to state levels – all of which are required to get the big goal of health and justice for all.

Source: “California Health and Justice for All Power Building Landscape,” USC PERE, 2018.

BHC also helped build a vibrant youth-organizing infrastructure…

  • 171 youth-serving organizations, up from only ~10-15 in 2010.
  • 50 intermediary organizations
  • Approximately 1,400 youth leaders surveyed.
  • Focus on basic civic skills, education, action and healing, self-care, and personal achievement.
  • Emphasized healing and restorative justice as legitimate practices and approaches; acknowledged trauma.
  • Lifted up youth voice as a critical means to building power and transforming policy and systems.
TCE SUPPORTED YOUTH POWER 2018-2019
PRIMARY GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS
Statewide Context for Youth Voice & Organizing Source: “Making Sense of the Youth Power Infrastructure.” Veronica Terriquez and UCSC Youth Organizing Research Team, 2018.

…where youth voice proved to be powerful and lawmakers and voters listened and invested in them

Del Norte & Tribal Lands (2016)

As a result of youth organizing, Del Norte Unified School District (DNUSD) voted to replace Styrofoam with compostable cafeteria trays. The DNUSD allocated $4k to support this effort.

City Heights (2018)

County of San Diego approved $1M for Youth Bus Passes and $300,000 for restorative justice and restorative practice training for San Diego Unified school police officers.

Richmond (2018)

Voters overwhelmingly passed Measures E and K to establish a dedicated funding source of ~$1M to expand services for children and families, and create a city-operated Department of Children and Youth.

Merced (2018)

Passed marijuana tax of which 20% of revenue were directed toward youth services and supports.

Fresno (2015)

BMOC youth advocated for the City of Fresno to establish a youth commission in order to give youth opportunity for input into City business and issues. Council budgeted $50k each year for two years.

Sacramento (2018-19)

Youth collected signatures for The Sacramento Children’s Fund Act, which set aside 2.5% of city’s annual unrestricted revenue (~$12.5M) for child services.

South LA / Boyle Heights (2019)

Supervisors approved $3.2M from Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Acts fund to be distributed to youth development community-based organizations after years of mismanagement by governmental agencies.

BHC Communities for Youth Voice & Organizing Note: The policy changes identified here reflect accomplishments championed by BHC participants during the initiative, but not necessarily with TCE funds. All TCE grants to BHC participants were made in compliance with the requirements of federal tax law.
Source: BHC Policy Inventory Tool, 2020.

Integrated Voter Engagement (IVE) efforts for adults and youth built power and yielded impact

Statewide coalitions led IVE efforts, which linked voter registration campaigns with ongoing community organizing efforts.

California Calls

An alliance of 31 grassroots organizations across the state, operating in rural, suburban, and urban environments.

RESULTS

The African-American Civic Engagement Project, a coalition of 16 Black-led grassroots organiations in 6 counties:

  • Registered 12,000+ voters,
  • Built a base of ~138,000 supporters,
  • Engaged ~33,000 Black voters for 2018 election.

Million Voters Project (MVP)

An alliance of 7 community-based networks that seek to strengthen democratic participation.

RESULTS

Created a voter base of ~525,000 people.

Power California

Emerged from the union of Mobilize The Immigrant Vote and YVote, two community-based organizations that organized immigrants, refugees, and youth of color.

RESULTS

Contributed to record turnout among 18-24 year-olds between 2014 and 2018 elections: a 3x increase from the previous year and registered more than 40,000 young voters.

Note: The policy changes identified here reflect accomplishments championed by BHC participants during the initiative, but not necessarily with TCE funds. All TCE grants to BHC participants were made in compliance with the requirements of federal tax law.
Source: Power California, California Calls, Million Voters Project websites, 2020.

BHC partners led public system transformation efforts by…

Observing BHC leaders to advance into system leaders

South Kern (2016) A community leader who helped lead #Agua4All, a campaign aimed to secure safe drinking water, later became Mayor of Arvin.
Eastern Coachella Valley (2014) BHC leader elected as first non-white Director to Coachella Valley Water District Board.
Long Beach (2016) Community leader active in BHC’s launch won a bid as Second District Councilwoman.

Transforming system representation

Merced (2014)

Organized to pass Measure T to shift from an at-large city council to a district-based system to ensure disenfranchised voices are heard.

Bringing a racial equity lens to systems and system leadership

East Salinas (Alisal) (2016-17)

City of Salinas together with BHC developed and implemented a racial equity framework and strategy resulting in:

  • Half of all city staff trained on healing-informed Governing for Racial (GRE) practices.
  • A city-wide racial equity impact assessment.
  • The hiring of racial equity coordinator to oversee the GRE Steering Committee comprised of city department heads and BHC leaders.
  • New and more equitable citywide hiring practices.
Note: The policy changes identified here reflect accomplishments championed by BHC participants during the intiative, but not necessarily with TCE funds. All TCE grants to BHC participants were made in compliance with the requirements of federal tax law.
Source: BHC Policy Inventory Tool, 2020: Healthy Communitites Board Memo. October 2016

TCE leadership helped bring attention & increased funding interest to gaps in field...

The “Fishhook” region of California

Brought attention and funding to the “fishhook region”, which stretches through the Central Valley and reaches into many lower-income communities in the southern part of state.

Boys and Men of Color

Sons and Brothers Initative and BHC’s focus on boys and men of color and racial equity brought attention and philanthropic interest to the sector, helping to influence and/or seed the following philanthropic initiatives:

South Sacramento (2018)

As part of a two-year partnership, the Sacramento MBK Collaborative recieved $425k from the MBK Alliance and $75k from the California Funders for Boys and Men of Color to help jump-start intiatives, build capacity and attract additional resources and partners.

Statewide (2018)

In partnership with the CA Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color, BHC helped establish a $37.3 million Youth Reinvestment Grant Program for diversion of youth from prosecution and incarceration, including over $1M for youth diversion in tribal lands. Fund provided grants for local trauma-informed and community-based programs that provide alternatives to arrest, detention, and incarceration.

Note: The policy changes identified here reflect accomplishments championed by BHC participants during the intiative, but not necessarily with TCE funds. All TCE grants to BHC participants were made in compliance with the requirements of federal tax law.
Source: “Vote, Organize, Transform, Engage,” USC PERE; 2019; BHC Policy Inventory Tool, 2020.

…and leveraged almost $1.4B public & private dollars

A 2019 Staff Survey on BHC public & private partnerships and leveraged funds revealed:

  • 136 public & private funding partners
  • Every $1 of TCE investment resulted in more than $7 of other investments.
Note: The policy changes identified here reflect accomplishments championed by BHC participants during the intiative, but not necessarily with TCE funds. All TCE grants to BHC participants were made in compliance with the requirements of federal tax law.
Source: Analysis conducted by TCE’s Learning and Evaluation team, 2019.

TCE made critical pivots through BHC by…

Shifting narrative voice and power efforts from TCE-internal to BHC partners for greater sustainability

Although BHC has led a series of highly impactful narrative change campaigns including:

Communications strategy is now focused more on investing in partners’ capacity to develop and sustain campaigns on their own.

Deploying responsive resources via the Fight Fund to protect BHC wins and target populations

Created The Fight Fund to protect BHC’s achievements and support emerging issues and threats in the following ways:

Support state-level advocacy:

  • Census 2020: Contributed $30M and leveraged $187M in state funds to support a fair and accurate count.
Protect vulnerable populations from:
  • Public charge: Coalition-building and communications.
  • Family Separation: Impact litigation and rapid response.
  • Threats against women’s health: National policy analysis.
Inclusive narrative:
  • Rapid response to small and hard-to-reach grassroots orgs.
  • Power and infrastructure building to build capacity, forge coalitions, and support shared narrative.
  • Native American and Integrated Voter Engagement investments.

Deployed over $27M as of October 2018

Note: The policy changes identified here reflect accomplishments championed by BHC participants during the intiative, but not necessarily with TCE funds. All TCE grants to BHC participants were made in compliance with the requirements of federal tax law.
Source: Fight Fund Board memo, 2018-19.

More About Building Voice & Power

Statewide Context Timeline

Click here for a digital timeline that highlights the statewide context, contributions, and policy changes informed and supported by our Building Healthy Communities partners that are connected to the 2010-2020 BHC Dashboard Summary.

Jump to the Timeline

BHC Communities Interactive Map

Click here for a digital map that highlights many local achievements championed by our 14 Building Healthy Community sites that are connected to the 2010-2020 BHC Dashboard Summary.

Jump to the Timeline

Unveiling Our 2023 Annual Report

The California Endowment is proud to present our 2023 annual report. Read about the work we are supporting and our partners who are changing California to a state of belonging and inclusion.

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youth awards

The 2024 Youth Awards Nominations are Closed

Thanks to each of you who took the time to nominate. We are now diligently working on selecting the winners from an incredible pool of nominees. Stay connected for the upcoming announcement.

Learn about the Youth Awards