California Funders
California Endowment
The California Endowment was established in 1996 when Blue Cross of California purchased WellPoint Health Networks and is currently the state’s largest private health foundation. The Endowment’s mission is to increase access to health care for underserved populations and improve the health status of all Californians.
Regions: The California Endowment serves all of California, including both rural and non-rural counties.
Issues Supported: The three main funding areas for the California Endowment are health, human rights, and community and economic development. Areas of interest include empowering young leaders, facilitating equity and inclusivity, and supporting education, justice systems, and health systems.
Grant Process and Application: Funding opportunities through the Endowment are by invitation only and involve submitting an online application. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited letters of intent but may be receptive to ideas through meetings with program officers and staff. Find out more about the application process on the Endowment’s website. There are three deadlines per year usually falling in December, May, and September.
Grant-Making Per Year: The Endowment has provided over $2.9 billion to California organizations since its founding. In 2020, the Endowment provided grants in the amount of $159.4 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Friendship House Association of American Indians is a grantee that blends Native American traditional practices and Western practices to treat substance abuse. Located in San Francisco, California, the Friendship House provides both residential treatment and recovery housing that supports sobriety and provides counseling, education support, and employment guidance. The California Endowment has also supported events for Casa Serena, a recovery center for women that also provides post-treatment sober living. Casa Serena is located in Santa Barbara, in partially rural Santa Barbara County.
The Community Foundation of Mendocino County
The Community Foundation of Mendocino County is based in Ukiah, California, and was founded in 1993 by community members in Mendocino County. The Foundation supports projects that strengthen the communities of Mendocino.
Regions: The Foundation serves rural Mendocino County in California.
Issues Supported: Health, human services, and public safety are the top three funding areas receiving the most grant dollars.
Grant Process and Application: The first step in the grant application process is to submit a letter of inquiry. Deadlines vary by program, and you can find more information about the grantmaking process by visiting the Foundation’s website.
Grant-Making Per Year: In FY 2020, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $3 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Ford Street Project is a grantee located in Ukiah, in the rural county of Mendocino. The organization provides withdrawal management, residential treatment, sober living facilities, and outpatient support for individuals struggling with substance use disorder.
Community Foundation for San Benito County
The Community Foundation for San Benito County is based in Hollister, California, and was established in 1992. The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen San Benito County’s communities and improve quality of life for its residents.
Regions: The Foundation mainly supports organizations that address the needs of rural San Benito County.
Issues Supported: Grant programs support arts and culture, community development, economic development, education and youth, the environment, and health and social services.
Grant Process and Application: The first step in the grant process is to submit an email application or an Intent to Submit Application. Deadlines are usually in October. Find out more about the grant opportunities and the grant application process by visiting the Foundation’s website.
Grant-Making Per Year: In FY 2019, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $8.1 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: Sun Streets Centers is a grantee based in Salinas, California, in partially rural Monterey County. The organization offers women’s and men’s sober living environments, both of which offer services to help individuals struggling with substance abuse to maintain sobriety, develop life skills, and gain independence.
The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County
The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County was established in 1998 in San Luis Obispo County, California. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the futures of the communities of San Luis Obispo County.
Regions: The Foundation serves partially rural San Luis Obispo County in California.
Issues Supported: The Foundation funds projects addressing arts and culture, education, health care, and mental health care.
Grant Process and Application: Grant applications vary depending on the grantmaking program. Applicants should submit an initial application including a project proposal and contact information. Find out more information about the grant application process by contacting the Foundation by phone at 805-543-2323 or by email at info@sloccf.org.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2019, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $2.2 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: Casa Solana is a grantee based in Grover Beach, California, in partially rural San Luis Obispo County. The organization serves women struggling with substance abuse and provides recovery housing services.
The San Diego Foundation
The San Diego Foundation was established in 1975 by a group of San Diego residents, with initial funding and support from the Gildred Foundation, United Way of San Diego, the Fletcher Foundations, and the City of San Diego. The San Diego Foundation aims to support sustainable philanthropy and to support a high quality of life for individuals in the area of service.
Regions: The Foundation serves San Diego as well as the surrounding neighborhoods and regions in California, including both rural and non-rural counties.
Issues Supported: The top three funding priority areas are human services, health, and education. Specific issue areas include community involvement, arts and culture, education, environment, housing, nutrition, science and technology, and youth development.
Grant Process and Application: Deadlines vary based on the grant program. Find out about open grant opportunities and eligibility by visiting the Foundation’s website.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2019, the San Diego Foundation provided grants in the amount of $52.5 million and in 2020, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $77.8 million. In 2021, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $104.1 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Crossroads Foundation in San Diego, California, is a grantee that supports women recovering from substance use disorder. Crossroads offers a recovery housing program that provides a sober environment, counseling, and support in daily life.
California Opioid Settlement Funds
Total Settlement Funds in California
- $2 billion
Fund Distribution
- 70% will be allocated to the California Abatement Accounts Fund
- 15% will be allocated to local governments
- 15% will be allocated to the state
Timeline
- Funds from three distributors will be paid over 18 years
- Funds from Johnson & Johnson will be paid over 9 years
Application Process
- Not established
Spending So Far
- NA
Key Contacts
- Attorney General Rob Bonta
- agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
- OpioidSettlement-LocalGovernment@doj.ca.gov
Key Links
How About Your County?
To get a quick overview of the resources available in your county, including gaps that may need to be addressed, visit the Recovery Ecosystem Index Map developed through a partnership between the Fletcher Group Rural Center Of Excellence, the NORC Walsh Center at the University of Chicago, and East Tennessee State University.
This web page is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $13.7 million with 0% financed with non-governmental sources.
The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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