Sierra Health Foundation

As we process the results of the 2024 election, our commitment to health and racial justice for all Californians remains unwavering. We’ll continue to amplify the voices, power and impact of marginalized communities in forging a healthier future. Today, we join with California’s leading philanthropic organizations in reaffirming our commitment to protecting equity, dignity and opportunity for all communities. Read these joint statements on our website: https://lnkd.in/g_XUm5zV ~~~ California Community Foundation, California Black Freedom Fund, The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation, College Futures Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation, Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, The James Irvine Foundation, Latino Community Foundation, Liberty Hill Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Meadow Fund, Tipping Point Community, Weingart Foundation ~~~ Alliance Healthcare Foundation, Blueshield of California Foundation, The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation, Metta Fund ~~~ #UnityAndProgress #ForThePeople #CAValues #UnitedForCalifornia #UnityandProgress 

Join us in congratulating Reyna Villalobos , Managing Director of Regional Programs with The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, for completing the 2024 PLACES Fellowship with The Funders Network. Reflecting on her experience, Reyna shared, “It was one of the most rewarding and inspiring programs that I’ve participated in across my entire career in public health.” Reyna joined 14 fellows—all experts in their fields, from diverse philanthropic organizations across North America—to tackle pressing issues like Black infant mortality, workers' rights and preserving indigenous cultural practices. A particularly personal moment surfaced for Reyna while she was visiting organizations in Denver, where she learned about the relationship between Colorado’s history and current inequities. She said, “Learning about the local oil refinery’s impact on community health brought back memories from my own childhood in the Central Valley, of growing up in a low-income neighborhood with agricultural crop sprayers pouring pesticides—poison—all over our community.” Reyna is already applying her learnings, including new grant reporting methods for The Center at Sierra Health Foundation's funded community partners. “Across all these site visits, I was reminded of the tremendous struggles and resilience of our people. I feel a deep sense of responsibility to ensure that our grantmaking strategies are equitable and streamlined,” stated Reyna. We look forward to seeing how Reyna continues to lead with compassion and innovation as she drives our mission forward. #PLACESFellowship #Leadership #EquityInAction #Philanthropy

MONDAY, 12/9 @10 AM PT / 1 PM ET – Join Lift Every Voice Evaluation, Research & Strategy and our Sierra Health Foundation Evaluation & Learning Managing Director, Maurice Samuels, Ph.D., for an engaging webinar on disrupting power imbalances and shifting power to grant partners and community members as we face unprecedented times. The panel also includes Michael Arnold from Informing Change and will be moderated by Hanh Cao Yu from Center for Evaluation Innovation. Tune in and explore practical strategies for transforming racially inequitable policies and systems in your organization. https://lnkd.in/gG3VD4Fr

TODAY @ 1 PM -- Our final Sierra Health Foundation Speaker Series event of the year "Power to the People: Investing in Clean Transportation & Community Action" is happening from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM PST today (virtually). Join Kaying Hang who will be moderating alongside a panel of experts as they discuss how communities can shape the future of transportation infrastructure, with a focus on sustainable, low-carbon options like biking paths, electrified transit, and EV infrastructure—especially in under-resourced areas. Panelists include: Mayor Rey León de Hurón, Founder & Executive Director of The LEAP Institute, focused on climate, economic, and transportation justice in the Central Valley. Simeon Gant, Founder of Green Tech, empowering youth with career opportunities in clean energy and sustainable living. Jeanie Ward-Waller, Director of Transportation Advocacy at Fearless Advocacy, with extensive experience in government and nonprofit advocacy for safer, more sustainable transportation systems. Hana Creger, Associate Director of Climate Equity at The Greenlining Institute, leading efforts to integrate equity in clean mobility and climate resilience policies. Tune in SOON for an insightful conversation about the urgent shift toward sustainable infrastructure and how we can prioritize investments that benefit everyone. Register now to receive the zoom link just in time for our virtual event: https://lnkd.in/g235j6rq

Sierra Health Foundation is honored to announce a $25,000 grant to the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum, supporting its mission to preserve and share the rich history, life and culture of African Americans. For nearly 30 years, the Museum has inspired pride, empathy and unity through its cultural programming and exhibits. “The Museum provides education and builds community within and beyond the Black community, with lasting impacts on Sacramento’s culture and wellbeing. For our region to truly honor its diversity and stated commitment to building an inclusive future, it's vital that we invest in our only museum focused exclusively on Black history and achievement,” our CEO Chet P. Hewitt said about our commitment to this local landmark. This grant will help ensure that the Museum, named after courageous activist and abolitionist Sojourner Truth, can continue to serve the community and keep its doors open. Join us in supporting this important institution—learn more at sojoartsmuseum.org #SierraHealthFoundation #SojournerTruthMuseum #CulturalHeritage #CommunitySupport #AfricanAmericanHistory #PreserveTheLegacy #UnityThroughArt #SupportTheArts #MuseumFunding #InclusiveFuture #SacramentoCulture

Last week, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation's Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI) facilitated a timely session at Rise Economy’s Action and Advocacy Conference in Los Angeles. The discussion was moderated by Kendra Lewis, Managing Director of Community Economic Development at The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, and brought together CEMI's partners and expert panelists who shared insights on driving positive change in underserved communities: 📢 Vanessa Carter Fahnestock – Project Manager, USC’s Equity Research Institute 📢 Teresa Gonzalez – Managing Director, LIVE FREE USA 📢 Benjamin Torres – President & CEO, Community Development Technologies (CDTech) Together, they highlighted how CEMI’s support has helped them build economic and climate resilience through funding, technical assistance, and power-building initiatives. With $160B in available funding in #California alone, CEMI is prioritizing inclusive economic development—transitioning from relief to opportunity. CEMI is proud to partner with grassroots organizations and assist in their capacity for accessing funding opportunities that they have been historically excluded from. We're working to drive lasting, equitable change. Learn more about CEMI on The Center's website: https://lnkd.in/dmSDxV4Q #CEMI #CommunityEmpowerment #EquitableDevelopment #EconomicJustice #ClimateResilience #InclusiveGrowth #PublicFundsForChange #SupportCBOs #GrassrootsLeadership #ActNow

The Center at Sierra Health Foundation's Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI) just released their year one report, offering insights that will help guide ongoing improvements and ensure accountability. Developed in partnership with third-party evaluator Informing Change, the report draws on feedback from funded partners through surveys, focus groups, grant data analysis and interviews. Key findings highlight strong alignment with The Center’s values, with the majority of partners expressing trust in CEMI’s support and flexibility. Notably, nearly half of funded partners are actively participating in California Jobs First Collaboratives, demonstrating the program’s role in driving collaborative efforts to advance inclusive economic development in California’s historically excluded communities. Head to The Center's website to read the full report findings and learn more about CEMI --> https://lnkd.in/gCQcmpyP

**Power to the People: Investing in Clean Transportation & Community Action** How can communities drive the decisions that shape their neighborhoods? Join us for the final **Sierra Health Foundation Speaker Series** event of the year on **Tuesday, December 3**, from **1:00 PM to 2:30 PM** as we explore the urgent shift from traditional infrastructure—like roads and highways—to investing in sustainable, low-carbon transportation options. Think dedicated walking and biking paths, electrified public transit, and electric vehicle infrastructure—especially in under-resourced communities. Hana Creger, Associate Director of Climate Equity at The Greenlining Institute, will be joined by a powerful panel of policy and community experts to discuss how we can reform state agencies and build stronger community partnerships to ensure public investments are centered on the needs of the people. With the climate crisis demanding urgent action, it's time for a shift in how we prioritize infrastructure spending. https://lnkd.in/g235j6rq Mayor Rey León de Hurón, Simeon Gant, Jeanie Ward-Waller #CleanTransportation #ClimateEquity #CommunityAction #InfrastructureReform #SustainableFuture #Greenlining #SpeakerSeries #PowerToThePeople #ClimateJustice

The Center's Community Economic Mobilization Initiative is trilled at the opportunity to be included in next year's National Community Reinvestment Coalition - NCRC #JustEconomy Conference. However, we need your vote. With your vote, we'll have the chance to share our CEMI model widely, across the nation; our model helps grassroots organizations access public funding for climate and economic resilience projects. Votes must be cast by 11/15 12pm PST. VOTE now: "Diverting Public Funds."   https://lnkd.in/gRa5tqzM #VoteForCEMI #Votefordivertingfunds #JustEconomyConference #ClimateResilience #PublicFunding #EconomicJustice

Empowering Latino entrepreneurs means investing in the future of our economy. Latino Community Foundation #LatinoCapitalAccelerator is promoting access to vital resources, strategic mentorship, and creating powerful network of leaders working to close the capital gap for Latino-owned businesses. Grateful for their work and the opportunity to support their mission.