Reimagining Impact
The Next Chapter of The California EndowmentAs California communities face unprecedented challenges, The California Endowment is evolving to ensure we can support California communities with renewed urgency, focus, and effectiveness.
This evolution will help us listen deeply and reflect on what California communities need most. By fostering stronger collaboration, simplifying our organizational structure, and making strategic adjustments in support of our grantee partners, The California Endowment will evolve to be a stronger partner in advancing health and justice across our state.
We’re moving with intention and urgency to develop a guiding framework rather than a static strategic plan—this is a strategy refinement, not a wholesale change. Not only does our work continue uninterrupted, we are increasing our payout to meet the moment, and refining our strategy to match the challenges we see ahead. Together, these approaches form our Bridge Strategy, which will be in place through 2027.
Elements of Our Bridge Strategy
-
Mobilize with UrgencyTCE is moving resources quickly to help communities protect our advances and build what comes next. Our goal is to remove barriers that slow resources down and mobilize every part of our institution in service of our community partners. We have streamlined reporting and removed cumbersome requirements, so partners spend less time on paperwork and more time protecting and advancing the health of our communities. Moreover, we are deploying our full institutional force: grantmaking, communications, legal, investments, people and culture — all pointed in the same direction.
-
Scale to Meet the MomentTCE is committed to increasing our payout from 2025 through 2027 to protect the health of our communities while reimagining public health in California. During this bridge period, we are also sustaining our Health Justice grantee partners to continue to build power to shift toward conditions that create healthy outcomes in California.
-
Strategic Refinement & LearningTCE is aligning our work around a clear north star so we can drive deeper impact across regions and issues, instead of spreading our resources thin. This includes deepening our learning efforts to inform our future strategic direction and respond more effectively to emerging needs.
“To advance the mission of The California Endowment in today’s complex climate, we must reimagine the way we operate so we can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with communities fighting for a fair and just world. We must fund not just services, but ideas that make our communities healthier. We are ready to move at the speed of trust and with the urgency that justice demands.
The California Endowment is here for nothing less than ensuring every person in California has a shot at a long, healthy life.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is The California Endowment refining its strategy at this time?
The landscape we are working in has changed — quickly and significantly. Californians are navigating unprecedented pressures on health coverage, economic stability, and civic participation that are moving faster than any of us planned for. Millions of Californians are at risk of losing access to Med-Cal and food assistance programs.
The Endowment must evolve to meet the moment and make strategic adjustments to stay effective, agile, and supportive.
Will you still be an organization focused on health, power building, and racial equity?
The California Endowment unequivocally believes that health is a human right, and that building a healthier California necessitates a root cause approach. We know that power creates health, and health creates power. And we know that racial equity is required to achieve both.
We are deeply committed to ensuring the health of all Californians and we’ll be working to deliver on that promise with greater urgency and clarity.
In addition, our expanded funding commitment from 2025 through 2027 will enable us to engage new partners focused on building a healthy California over the next three years.
How is the updated strategy being developed?
We want to ensure our next strategy is inclusive, collaborative, and responsive to the needs of the people of California. We will engage in conversations with grantee partners and Californians across the state as we sharpen our areas of focus.
How will current grantee partners be impacted by the bridge period?
We are deeply committed to our grantee partners—now more than ever. TCE’s evolution is about enabling us to deliver on that commitment with greater urgency and clarity.
The Endowment will continue to be committed to centering our communities and the organizations that build power with them through 2026.
In addition, our expanded funding commitment from 2025-2027 enables us to engage new partners who are meeting this moment and reimagining health and health equity.
Our goal is to become a more effective partner in the fight for health equity and build a future where every person thrives for generations to come.
Are there more changes coming?
Our top priority is ensuring TCE is positioned to serve both current and future partners effectively. As needs evolve across California, we may continue to adjust, but always with the goal of strengthening our impact.
Stay connected on our latest initiatives and opportunities to help build a healthier, more equitable California
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