LETTER FROM OUR
PRESIDENT & CEO

Community is at the heart of everything we do at the California Community Foundation. It centers us as we live through the outbreak of the coronavirus, economic disruptions and calls for racial justice—as well as the uncertainty of what might come next. 

Though we cannot be confident of what the future holds, we can be clear and resolved in our mission: to lead positive systemic change that strengthens Los Angeles. The pandemic has served to further reveal preexisting inequities in housing, education, health care, food security, criminal justice and employment. Yet we remain rooted in our commitment to recover and aid in the renewal of our communities. 

We are at a turning point. Two roads in the forest. One merely leads to a recovery. The other leads us to a renewal. 

Today, more of us than ever before understand the chasm of disparities and the need for systems change. We offer these stories to highlight the need to renew Los Angeles instead of simply recovering our broken systems.

The trees in a forest tell their story via rings. The first ring announces a beginning and each subsequent ring celebrates growth. It is the space between the rings that explains how the growth happened.  

By leveraging the talents and resources of all sectors—public, private and philanthropic—we did what none of us could achieve on our own. By uniting the passion and commitment of donors, advisors, community leaders and nonprofits, we are creating sustainable solutions that will continue to affect lives for years to come.

This year’s annual report highlights how we work towards renewal through long-term solutions to Los Angeles’ most pressing social problems, while also providing relief to the current needs of our community members. As we work, we grow, we learn, we adapt. Our partners featured in this year’s report made CCF’s tree ring grow deeper and wider. 

I invite you to learn more about our work, our partners and our stewardship of charitable funds. Join with us in making an impact and building Los Angeles together.