By Brandi Howard
If you turn on the news today, you’ll find plenty of stories designed to stir up anger and fear. Make no mistake, there is plenty to be angry about. But behind the scenes, community-based organizations are continuing the work they’ve always done to keep our neighborhoods united, strong, and safe. Their work reminds us to focus on the here and now – to get local.
That’s why I am so happy to share EBCF’s 2025 Impact Report with you today. In these 12 pages, you’ll see inspiring stories of what’s possible when we stand strong in our values and work together. These are the bright spots that keep me energized and motivated amid the darkness. Here are some highlights:
With your support, EBCF made strategic grants totaling $9M to 362 community partners in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. This includes:
- $1M for capacity building with a racial equity lens
- $1.2M for arts and culture
- $1.4M to bolster inclusive economies
- $2.2M in grants to resilient small businesses
- $3M in community organizing and movement building.
At the same time, our community of 362 fund advisors awarded grants totaling $54M to nearly 1,967 organizations across the Bay and the country. In total, we stewarded just over $500M in charitable assets, investing those resources in line with our values to maximize impact in communities here in the East Bay and beyond.
These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Since I joined EBCF three years ago, we have sharpened our focus on building an East Bay where everyone has the economic freedom to dream, heal, and belong. This Impact Report is full of stories that demonstrate our progress towards that north star.
If you made a gift to EBCF last year, you helped make this work possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Still, there’s much more to do, and we all have an important role to play. No matter what you’re doing to make life better here in the East Bay, we are grateful for your support and partnership.
