A Collaborative Pooled Fund
The East Contra Costa STRONG Collaborative Fund (STRONG) aims to increase racial equity and economic justice in East Contra Costa County by strengthening the capacity of nonprofits, supporting leadership development, and building community voice and power.
Since its launch in 2015, the Fund has supported capacity building for nonprofit leaders and leadership development for leaders of color; the establishment a nonprofit network; advocacy for a strengthened service delivery ecosystem; funded and shared important research and information to catalyze action; and supported community engagement and cross-sector collaboration to ensure the region has a voice at countywide tables.
The Fund’s priorities are informed by listening to and learning from community partners, centering Black, indigenous and people of color voices, staying flexible to meet emergent opportunities, and committing to long-term work in East Contra Costa County.
Goals:
- Invest in leadership and capacity towards racially equitable changes in policies and institutions, especially around issues most important to BIPOC communities.
- Support community-led narrative change efforts
- Increase private/philanthropic investment in ECCC
STRONG is an invitation-only fund. As the pooled fund expands, we intend to examine that practice and offer opportunities for organizations to introduce their work without creating burdensome structures and unrealistic expectations.The East Contra Costa STRONG Collaborative Fund members include East Bay Community Foundation, Lesher Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, The California Endowment, Y & H Soda Fund and Zellerbach Family Foundation.