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.
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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
Miyihah-Tlakilte Dr. Ross -
On behalf of Anawakalmekak and the Gabrielino shoshone nation. Much love on your journey.
The force is strong in our family.
- D. Wash
Dr. Ross! You are a blessing and have changed the world we live in. Thank you.
- H.S.F.
Wishing you the best and a well deserved rest to enjoy the simple things in life.
Peace,
- Bob Alvarez (Balance PR)
Congratulations on a wonderful 24 years of impact! May God bless you and keep you!
Bob,
Don’t be a stranger.
Love you,
- Ray
Dr. Ross,
Deep gratitude for your leadership and commitment to equity and justice.
Dr. Ross! Congrats on your transition. I am grateful for the opportunity to have grown up with your support. You inspired me to chase my dreams.
- Corleone (BMoC)
Best wishes for the next act!
- Joel
Wishing you well in all things, Bob. Preach on!
- John F.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Blessings,
Mykol Lewis
Brotherhood Crusade
Job well done! Now it’s time to take some ‘bob’ time. We love and appreciate you!
- Arnold & Karen Perkins
Bob,
Thank you for all the good trouble you made and extending a hand to join you.
With love,
- Hanh Cao Yu
Dearest Bob,
I will forever appreciate how you have welcomed and vouched for me in philanthropy. And there’s still time for you to get us that $5mil!
- Shane
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.
For many years, I have known how special you are! Thanks.
I wish that you receive as much as you’ve provided to so many.
Much love,
- Steve Delgado
Enjoy & have fun. God bless you!
- Elizabeth Tabita
Wishing you an abundance of love, harmony, health, and happiness.
Thank you for all your support for the ACA, #Health4All, and everything else.
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