STRONG = Strengthening Tenacious Resilient Organizations and Nurturing their Growth
Strengthening Tenacious Resilient Organizations and Nurturing their Growth (STRONG) is a leading funder collaborative working to increase philanthropic investments and build power and resources in East Contra Costa County. We act as a bridge between community, philanthropy, and the public sector to bolster grassroots and community-led change across the region.
East Contra Costa County is home to some of the Bay Area’s fastest-growing and most diverse communities. It is a region rich in culture, history, and community resilience. Yet under three percent of the Bay Area’s overall philanthropic funding goes to Contra Costa County, with even less funneled into East Contra Costa County (ECCC).
As the only funder collaborative in ECCC, STRONG is committed to strengthening the region’s nonprofit ecosystem by investing in bold leaders and organizations driving change in their communities. Since its founding in 2025, we have invested over $3.5 million toward East Contra Costa communities and initiatives, and helped seed new organizations, support nonprofit infrastructure, and build the leadership of local Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Our funding supports leaders of color, strengthening organizations’ infrastructure and capacity, and building local networks to align advocacy efforts. STRONG’s grantee partners have been able to win tenant protections, increase civic engagement and fight disinformation in immigrant communities.
Most of East Contra Costa County is considered “high needs,” reflecting a combination of high unemployment, housing burden, and poverty. Three of the top ten Bay Area zip codes with the highest unemployment rates are in East Contra Costa County. And with few well paying jobs nearby, the average commute time is 50 percent longer for East County residents than it is for Californians at large.1