Announcing the New Blended Field Leader-Funder Governance to Guide Fund for an Inclusive California’s Next Phase

We are thrilled to announce the 13 members that will make up the Fund’s new blended leadership group who will guide the strategy of our fund supporting power building efforts to advance a community-driven vision for housing justice

We are excited to introduce our newly reimagined governing body for the Fund for an Inclusive California. This moment marks a transition from a funder-only steering committee into a leadership body guided by the expertise of field leaders and funders. This evolution is the result of an intensive eight-month strategic planning process and aligns with our ambitious goal of raising $25 million over the next five years to support housing justice efforts across the state.

The Fund for an Inclusive California strives to model how foundations can partner with, take the lead from, and learn from community leaders to ensure grantmaking strategies are aligned with the needs and vision of those most impacted by housing insecurity. This council of leaders will guide implementation of the Fund’s strategic plan and help us adapt our grantmaking and funder education efforts with the real-time changing landscape. 

Members were selected with an eye toward geographic, racial, and gender diversity. They are visionaries pushing the edge of possibility when field leaders and funders come together as strategic thought partners.

Meet the new Fund for an Inclusive California governing body:

• Diana Amparo Jiménez, The Weingart Foundation
• Saa-un Bell, Power California
• Cynthia Bourjac, Alliance for Community Transit-Los Angeles
• Christa Brown, The San Francisco Foundation
• Sonya Gray-Hunn, Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement
• Rajib Guha, The James Irvine Foundation
• Rae Huang, Housing Now! California
• Craig Martinez, The California Endowment
• Jennifer Martinez, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
• Kate O’Hara, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy
• Vonya Quarles, Starting Over, Inc.
• Pastor Curtis Smith, Faith in the Valley
• Derek Steele, Social Justice Learning Institute

Their collective wisdom and diverse perspectives will guide F4ICA in our mission to support base building groups in building long-term power towards housing justice. 

Join us in celebrating this new chapter of F4ICA’s journey. Together, we will continue to build a powerful network of champions for housing justice efforts across California – putting community priorities and power at the center.

Learn more about the Fund at f4ica.commoncounsel.org.

About Fund for an Inclusive California

The Fund for an Inclusive California advances racial and economic equity by supporting power building of communities of color. The Fund is a program of Common Counsel Foundation. Since 2017, we have aligned funders to support an ecosystem of housing justice efforts led by communities across California, making $15 million in grants. The community partners are organizing to protect tenants, preserve and produce affordable housing for low and extremely low-income residents, and advancing equitable development policies that prioritize the long-term well-being of all Californians. Learn more at F4ICA.CommonCounsel.org