Posted on December 18, 2012

Irvine Foundation Announces $14.5 Million in Grants

The San Francisco-based James Irvine Foundation has announced fifty-three grants totaling $14.5 million to nonprofit organizations working to promote engagement in the arts, civil society, linked learning, and leadership advancement in California.

Thirty-two grants were awarded through the foundation's arts program, including granst of $1.75 million over two years to the Nonprofit Finance Fund in support of California-based ArtPlace projects; $600,000 over three years to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in support of two photography exhibitions at six museums in underserved regions of the state; and $250,000 over two years to Valley Public Television to enable low-income and other underserved individuals in the San Joaquin Valley to create digital content through its new ValleyPBS by You initiative. Through its youth program, the foundation awarded grants totaling more than $1.5 million, including grants of $450,000 to ConnectEd: the California Center for College and Career, $400,000 to SRI International, $375,000 to the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and $300,000 to Oakland Community Organizations.

The foundation also awarded three grants totaling more than $1.7 million as part of its California Democracy program. Recipients include the Institute for Local Government, which will receive $800,000 over two years to promote inclusive public engagement in local and regional governance/decision making; Capitol Impact, which was awarded $675,000 over three years for its nonpartisan California Legislative Staff Education Institute; and the Environmental Health Coalition, which will receive $300,000 over two years to engage underrepresented residents in statewide environmental policy making through the California Environmental Justice Alliance.

In addition, the Commonwealth Club of California received a $500,000 "special opportunities" grant for the renovation of a new facility in San Francisco, while thirteen other groups received grants totaling more than $4.4 million through the foundation's Special Initiatives program.

For a complete list of grant recipients, visit the Irvine Foundation Web site.