Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

This Wednesday at 11am PST, join the Public Policy Institute of California for a briefing of its recent report on implementing the state’s universal financial aid application policy and insights into how to encourage greater app completion among California students.    Learn more and RSVP for the virtual event here: https://lnkd.in/gjcf58nK    (Graphic Courtesy of PPIC) 

Tickets are still available for the University of California, Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy’s October 29 pre-election convening on the future of American democracy! Learn more and get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/g6MDJcfD

Our own Immigrant Rights Program Director Elica Vafaie will join the Investing with Purpose in Legal Strategies to Advance Migrant Justice panel at the Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees #GCIR2024 National Convening in Detroit next Tuesday!     The panel will explore how funders can coordinate to address the complex legal needs facing migrant communities and strategize around the wide range of funding opportunities available to support migrant justice. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e5fHJthh    #DetroitLeads #DetroitMobilizing 

Starting next week, our College Success program partner California Student Aid Commission will be hosting a series of free Statewide Financial Aid Workshops. Sessions are open to anyone interested in learning more about new and upcoming changes to the FAFSA, California Dream Act Application, and/or state financial aid options.    There are both in-person and virtual options and space is limited, so spread the word and register today!: https://lnkd.in/ggXJAPnj    (Graphic Courtesy of CSAC)

Earlier this month, our Democracy program partners Aaron Robertson of Catalyst California, Lukas Brekke-Miesner of Oakland Kids First, and Pedro Hernandez of California Common Cause spoke on recent reforms that have increased local voter access in California and what additional changes are needed to foster a truly representative democracy.    Watch a recording of the full panel discussion, from the USC Center for Inclusive Democracy’s pre-Election Day event here: https://lnkd.in/daDcAXiV 

Great panel discussion on alternative models for higher education at the Grantmakers for Education conference today! Led by our very own Monica R. Martinez the panel highlighted the work of Rivet School, ASU Local and Long Beach City College that are combining technology-enabled learning with extensive wraparound supports to improve outcomes for underserved learners and their families. A big thank you to Jeff Manassero, Kim Merritt and Dr. Mike Muñoz for sharing their insights!

Thank you to the entire SoCal Grantmakers team for hosting an incredibly energizing annual conference at the end of last month and for having our President Cathy Cha on the Opening Plenary panel. We can’t wait for next year! #SCGBetterTogether    (Photos Courtesy of SoCal Grantmakers)

Check out our recent Q&A with Amado Uno, Director of the Million Voters Project (MVP)—a multiracial, multi-generational alliance of organizations and networks focused on mobilizing low-income communities, people of color, immigrants, and other underrepresented populations to vote and have a say on issues that affect their lives.    With disparities in voting continuing to mean that the voices of too many communities aren’t reflected in government and elections, MVPS’s work to help realize the promise of a multiracial democracy is more important than ever. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gxHQZNnv

Our College Success Program Partner Foundation for California Community Colleges and its statewide partners are currently hosting the eighth annual Undocumented Student Action Week!    This year's event features daily webinars to create space for collaboration and advocacy in support of undocumented students in the community college system as well as an end-of-the-week keynote by Cinthya Cisneros, who will share her journey from being an undocumented college student to a successful Latina restaurateur.    Learn more and register for the week’s sessions, either virtual or in-person: https://lnkd.in/g-Em3Wc4    (Graphics Courtesy of California Community Colleges) 

With more than 700,000 self-identified Native Americans in California and 110 federally recognized tribes, the state is home to the largest Native population in the U.S. But due to barriers like inadequate resources and a lack of voter outreach and education efforts, too many Native communities are left out of democracy.    On this #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we celebrate the work of organizations like our Democracy Program Partner California Native Vote Project that have been helping tribal communities register to vote, conducting community organizing events, and educating young people about the power of making their voices heard.     Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gZiWQazr