The California Endowment

The California Endowment operates as an invitation-only funder, meaning it does not accept unsolicited proposals. Its grantmaking is deeply strategic, centering on health equity and racial justice across California. The foundation was created in 1996 from the conversion of Blue Cross of California and has since deployed over $2.9 billion through 22,000+ grants. Its current Bridge Strategy (2025-2027) commits up to $160 million annually while the foundation designs its next decade-long strategic plan, expected to launch in 2027. TCE embraces trust-based philanthropy principles, having waived most grant reporting requirements to reduce burden on grantees. The foundation also made a landmark $300 million Social Bond issuance to advance racial justice and health equity. Its five core impact areas — Health Systems, Justice Reinvestment, Inclusive Communities, Power Infrastructure, and Schools — reflect a broad interpretation of health that encompasses social determinants. Under CEO Brenda Solórzano, the foundation is dedicating 2026 to listening sessions with grantee partners and communities statewide to shape future priorities.

With $4.46 billion in assets, The California Endowment is the largest private health foundation in California. It distributes approximately $160 million per year during its current bridge period. Funding types include single and multi-year grants, program support, general operating support, Direct Charitable Activity (DCA) contracts, Program-Related Investments (PRIs), and specific project grants. The foundation's geographic scope is exclusively California, with regional offices in Los Angeles (headquarters), Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, and San Diego enabling statewide coverage. Eligible recipients include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, California state and local government entities, and faith-based organizations that serve all community members. The foundation does not fund individuals, political campaigns, voter registration drives, lobbying efforts, or organizations with discriminatory practices. Its 990-PF filings confirm it 'only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations,' underscoring the invitation-only model. Grant review typically takes 6-8 weeks once an application is submitted through the SmartSimple portal.

The California Endowment is the dominant private health foundation in California by a significant margin. Here is how it compares to peer health-focused funders in the state:

TCE's $4.46 billion asset base dwarfs its closest California health-focused peer, the California Wellness Foundation, by more than 4x. Its invitation-only model and trust-based philanthropy approach distinguish it from peers like Blue Shield Foundation and Kaiser, which maintain more open application processes. TCE's embrace of Social Bond financing and its $300M bond issuance also set it apart as an innovator in health philanthropy financing.

In 2025-2026, The California Endowment is operating under its Bridge Strategy, committing up to $160 million annually to sustain existing grantee partners while preparing for a new long-term strategic direction. CEO Brenda Solórzano, completing her first full year of leadership, has emphasized community listening as a foundation priority, dedicating 2026 to conversations with grantees and communities across California to shape the next decade of investment. The foundation released its 2025 annual report highlighting work toward 'a state of belonging and inclusion.' TCE also partnered with the Trust Based Philanthropy Project through their 'Meet the Moment' initiative in solidarity with nonprofits. The foundation's $300 million Social Bond continues to fund racial justice and health equity work across the state. On the governance front, TCE's most recent 990-PF (filed 2024, updated March 2026) shows continued robust asset management at $4.46 billion. The foundation maintains active social media presence across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok under the handle @calendow.

Since The California Endowment is invitation-only, traditional application strategies do not apply. Instead, nonprofits should focus on relationship-building and alignment: (1) Build relationships with TCE program officers and staff — according to grantee feedback, funding without a relationship with staff is unlikely. Attend TCE events, participate in their programs, and network through existing grantees. (2) Ensure your organization has a current GuideStar/Candid profile, as this is a stated requirement for all funding requests. (3) Frame your work through a health equity lens — even if your primary mission is education, criminal justice, or community development, explicitly connect your outcomes to health outcomes in California. Grantee reviewers advise to 'hammer those buzz words' around health equity and racial justice. (4) Monitor TCE's strategic direction closely, especially as they design their 2027+ plan through community listening in 2026 — positioning your organization within emerging priority areas could be valuable. (5) Be prepared for significant proposal refinement — grantees report extensive 'tweaking and wordsmithing' to specifically tie work to California health outcomes. (6) Explore TCE's regional offices (Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, San Diego) as entry points, particularly if your work is geographically focused. Contact gms@calendow.org for general grant management inquiries.