FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE EAST BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
RACE, GENDER AND HUMAN RIGHTS FUND

Foundation to Serve as the Philanthropic Home for Progressive Group Committed to Addressing the
Criminal Justice System’s Impact on Women, Girls and Families

Oakland, CA –  The East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF), is pleased to announce a partnership with the Race, Gender and Human Rights Fund (RGHR). The fund’s mission is to promote human rights as well as racial and gender justice by challenging the criminal justice system and its use of mass incarceration in California. RGHR focuses on the system’s impact on women and families, prioritizes the leadership of formerly incarcerated people, and invests in efforts that build the criminal justice movement.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the East Bay Community Foundation mobilizes financial assets and community leadership to transform the lives of people with pressing needs throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. “We believe that EBCF is a natural home for the RGHR Fund,” said James Head, President and CEO of the East Bay Community Foundation. “As a steward of our donor community’s philanthropic resources, we make coordinated, strategic investments into programs and nonprofits for the betterment of our communities.” He continued, “But a significant part of our mission is also to catalyze sustainable social and economic change through policy advocacy and increased civic engagement. RGHR’s longstanding work to advance policy advocacy to address some of our state’s most archaic policies aligns well with our vision.”

“Our country has made significant progress over the years, but structural inequality which trades in discrimination based on race, gender, and ethnicity still very much persists,” said Howard Oringer, a longtime member of the RGHR Fund. “It is no secret that immigrant communities, the poor, and people of color are disproportionately impacted by our justice system. Our work was conceived specifically to support the courageous leaders on the frontline that are working to improve and strengthen the rights of those affected by these oppressive systems.”

“The bottom line of what we’re trying to do is to create fairness,” said Deborah Drysdale, another of the fund’s founding members. “Between efforts to look at bail reform, conditions of confinement and re- entry, the field is coming up with a number of good strategies for changing the system.” In 2018, the fund will continue supporting the criminal justice field through strategic grantmaking, convenings, funder education resources, and partnerships with an emphasis on achieving greater impact.

Guided by the idea that social justice movements are critical drivers of change, EBCF believes that strengthening low-income communities and communities of color through power building, leadership development, and civic engagement strategies are key to creating better outcomes. “EBCF is thrilled to support the RGHR Fund and the inspiring work being done to reform criminal justice in California,” remarked Alexandra Aquino-Fike, VP of Development at EBCF. “The fund’s selection of EBCF is a reflection of our shared beliefs in justice, fairness, and inclusivity.”

Since 2002, the Race, Gender and Human Rights Fund has invested nearly $5 million to support criminal justice reform in California. For more information or to invest in the RGHR Fund’s timely criminal justice work, contact Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Anuja Mendiratta, at amendiratta@eastbaycf.org.

About East Bay Community Foundation

Founded in 1928, East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) connects donors with community-led movements to eliminate structural barriers, advance racial equity, and create an inclusive, fair, and just East Bay. Recognized as 2019’s “Boldest Community Foundation” by Inside Philanthropy, EBCF is committed to ensuring that all members of our community are treated fairly, with equitable opportunity and outcomes. EBCF is supported by 600 local donors and has charitable assets under management of over $600 million.

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