Our vision of an inclusive, fair, and just East Bay is rooted in creating equal opportunities for all. To create a truly inclusive economy, we must shift the flow of capital from an extractive economy towards an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative system that works for all.
We are addressing racial economic inequities in our region through:
1. Entrepreneurship & business ownership as pathways to wealth building
Small businesses create job opportunities and increase economic activity, stability, and wealth creation in communities of color. EBCF supports entrepreneurs through the Oakland Small Business Resiliency Fund, which provides grant funding in support of small businesses in Oakland, and through a long-standing partnership with REAL People’s Fund, a $10M community-controlled and democratically governed loan fund investing in businesses that have the potential for meaningful positive social, environmental, and/or economic impact in BIPOC communities.
2. Community ownership and stewardship
In the East Bay, communities are implementing and innovating diverse community ownership models that limit profit-seeking from investors and promote inclusive decision-making and governance. EBCF supports community ownership and stewardship of housing and land (community land trusts and real estate cooperatives), worker-owned cooperatives, and community controlled or governed funds.
3. Impact Investing
We see our investments as a core strategy for achieving our mission. To that end, we invest our assets in socially responsible and mission-aligned sectors with an eye toward racial equity, sustainability, and ESG impact, focusing, when possible, on solving California’s most pressing challenges. We work with diverse and women-owned money managers to create opportunities for people who have historically been shut out of finance. We look for opportunities to move resources into community banks and local credit unions. And instead of enriching shareholders, our fees strengthen EBCF’s community leadership and grantmaking on critical issues like workforce development, housing, and healthy environments in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
“For an economy to function well, it should be growing, sustainable, and stable. But it should also be growing for all people–not just creating wealth and financial stability for some but ensuring that every person has equitable opportunities for good jobs, and career paths in order to be free from the worry of meeting basic human needs or financial hardship.”
VENKAT MOHAN, EBCF FUNDHOLDER
Initiatives
Oakland Small Business Resiliency Fund
We are not currently accepting applications to the Small Business Resiliency Fund. Sign up for our newsletter to learn about …
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Investment Strategy
Our investment strategy facilitates an ecosystem of collective progress and collaboration in an effort to revolutionize philanthropy and co-create a truly inclusive economy.
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Support this Work
Funders and donors are invited to participate in this work. The Inclusive Economy Fund supports grassroots community partners who are building economic power. All contributions have a real and lasting impact and move our community closer to the goal of an inclusive economy in the East Bay.
Featured News
EBCF awards $850,000 to promote community ownership and stewardship
The new grantmaking initiative builds on EBCF’s work to create inclusive local economies in the East Bay.
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EBCF Announces $2.2 Million Investment in 170 Oakland Small Businesses
Oakland, CA – East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) is proud to announce the first round of grantees for the Oakland …
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Creating a New Economic Model that Values Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color
REAL People’s Fund is an innovative $10M community-governed and -led investment fund and entrepreneurship program, that is poised to move over $5M more into the community over the next few years.
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