The California Endowment is the largest private health foundation in California, advancing health and racial equity through long-term grantmaking, systems change, and community-driven approaches across the state.
The foundation works to expand access to affordable, high-quality health care and to improve overall health outcomes for Californians, particularly those historically underserved, by addressing structural barriers and advancing health equity statewide.
The California Endowment was established in 1996 following Blue Cross of California’s acquisition of WellPoint Health Networks’ for-profit subsidiary. Created as a private nonprofit public benefit corporation, the foundation was designed to reinvest proceeds from the transaction into improving health outcomes across California. Since its inception, it has operated as a statewide health foundation focused on addressing the social, economic, and structural conditions that shape health. Over time, the organization has evolved from a traditional health funder into a systems-oriented philanthropy emphasizing community power, policy change, and long-term equity.
The foundation applies a long-term, systems-change approach to grantmaking, prioritizing durable partnerships with community-based organizations, public institutions, and intermediaries aligned with its strategic goals. Funding is guided by defined focus areas and structured around multi-year support, general operating grants, program support, direct charitable activities, and program-related investments. Grantmaking is invitation-only. In addition to traditional grants, the foundation deploys mission-aligned capital through PRIs and MRIs to complement philanthropic objectives. Trust-based practices, learning, and adaptive strategy inform its approach, with an emphasis on collaboration, accountability, and community voice.
Since its founding, the foundation has awarded more than 22,000 grants totaling over $2.9 billion to organizations across California. It is widely recognized for shifting philanthropic practice toward power-building, racial equity, and social determinants of health. Its Building Healthy Communities initiative influenced statewide health and policy narratives, while its impact-investing strategy has expanded the use of mission-aligned capital in philanthropy. The foundation continues to play a leading role in shaping health equity approaches nationally.
The foundation partners with community-based nonprofits, state and local government entities, advocacy networks, housing developers, and financial intermediaries. Notable collaborations include work with Homeboy Industries, Linc Housing, community development financial institutions, and public agencies across California.
The California Endowment frames health as a product of social, economic, and environmental conditions rather than clinical care alone. Its work is guided by the “ABC” framework of health equity: Agency, Belonging, and Changing Conditions. The foundation is currently operating under a Bridge Strategy (2025–2027) while preparing a new long-term strategic plan scheduled for launch in 2027. During this period, it has committed up to $160 million annually to sustain grantees, expand investment, and deepen learning. The organization also waives most grant reporting requirements in alignment with trust-based philanthropy principles.