MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP

Dear Friends and Partners,

It is our great pleasure to share with you our 2023 Annual Report. This report illustrates the work of our incredible community partners and our commitment to a shared vision of health, prosperity, and safety for all. Our work and this report reflect our understanding that those closest to the problems are creating the solutions to advance racial, economic, and gender justice.

At Women’s Foundation California (WFC), we’re building a feminist future guided by an inspiring community of women, women of color, and gender-expansive grassroots organizers and leaders. In this report, you will see the impact of our work and the power of our community. Together, we can be instruments for liberation and build towards a gender-just future.

Over the past year, a constellation of radical initiatives and joyous celebrations illuminated our journey. In 2022, we celebrated a significant milestone: the 20th anniversary of The Dr. Beatriz María Solís Policy Institute (SPI). And this spring in Sacramento, we commemorated this remarkable achievement by honoring the tireless dedication of so many members of our community, encompassing advocates, policymakers, changemakers, SPI fellows, and alum. Together, they have not only made history but have also shaped the trajectory of California feminist policy, having successfully championed over 50 pivotal pieces of legislation. This collective effort exemplifies the power of unity and underscores the boundless potential we hold when we work together for a more just and equitable future.

Invest, train, and connect are the foundational strategies for our work as we build the capacity of movement leaders, artists, and culture makers to accelerate change. Our intersectional policy and funding priorities support organizations across California that champion issues such as reproductive justice, transgender and intersex rights, and domestic violence prevention. Our goal is to ensure communities not only have access to funding, but also the trust and time needed to create meaningful change. We are proud to have launched our first round of multiyear grants, awarded to our core grant partners through our Community Power Fund. We are determined to further this commitment by expanding these multiyear general operating support grants from three to five years.

WFC has a long history of supporting and nurturing our own leaders. We are proud to represent that tradition as we strive for a more equitable future for all Californians. Our leadership transition model is built on our intersectional principles, fostering collaboration, and creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to lead. This model is crucial for both succession planning and the long-term sustainability of WFC. Thank you for your unwavering support and for being an integral part of our journey. Together, we are building a feminist legacy that will inspire generations to come.

With deep gratitude,