SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The California-based Latino Community Foundation (LCF) today announced an ambitious new plan to Build a Flourishing Latino Future by expanding the organization’s impact nationally. As the only foundation dedicated to unleashing Latino civic and economic power, LCF plans to initially expand its relationship-centered-funding model to Southwest states while making greater investments in California nonprofits committed to voter engagement, growing small Latino businesses and entrepreneurs, and mobilizing Latino communities.
“This is a critical moment for the Latino community and the nation,” said LCF CEO and former HUD Secretary Julián Castro. “Latinos are reshaping the U.S.—in sheer numbers, cultural influence, and political force. Yet attacks against Latino communities are intensifying, setting the stage for long-term harm and challenges. LCF's expansion aims to build the resources it will take to ensure a flourishing Latino future and a brighter future for our entire country.”
California leaders emphasized that investing in Latino communities is essential to the state’s long-term prosperity.
“The Latino Community Foundation has long been a powerful force for uplifting families, small businesses, and local leaders that enrich our state and define our future. This bold vision to deepen investments in California is about more than philanthropy—it’s about helping unlock opportunity, strengthening generations of families, and building a more inclusive and prosperous future for millions of Latinos and for all of us who call the Golden State our home,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.
National leaders have also underscored the importance of strengthening Latino communities as a cornerstone of the American Dream.
“The Latino Agenda is the American Dream...A future were families can thrive economically, communities and participate freely in our democracy, and where everyone’s contribution is valued. I’m inspired by the work of the Latino Community Foundation — one of California’s leading organizations pushing for accountability in the face of President Trump’s agenda of division and hate — helping turn that vision into reality,” added U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
Currently, less than 2 percent of philanthropic funding goes to Latino-serving nonprofits. By mobilizing resources and investing in a robust network of Latino grassroots organizations, LCF has redefined what philanthropy looks like in California, and it’s prepared to do the same nationwide by building a $250 million endowment committed to serving Latino communities.
“Everything LCF is scaling nationally was built and proven in California,” said LCF Board Chair, Lydia Villarreal. “LCF’s model of trusting and investing in Latino grassroots organizations has directly improved the lives of Latino communities in the state. These are the organizations that have been on the frontlines supporting Latinos through climate disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, increased immigration enforcement, critical elections, and economic challenges. We know the same is possible in the Southwest because we’ve seen firsthand how Latinos thrive as entrepreneurs and business owners, grow as civic and nonprofit leaders, and participate in our democracy when they receive adequate resources and support.”
Since 2018, LCF has granted over $50 million to more than 550 organizations, provided capacity building programming to more than 120 grassroots nonprofits, and activated local philanthropy throughout California. The organization’s expansion comes at a time when systemic inequities in healthcare, housing, education, and civic inclusion continue and attacks on immigrant communities are harming Latino families, businesses, and wellbeing.
