James B. McClatchy’s Foundation’s “All in for Central Valley Democracy” marks a transformative chapter in our Sunrise Plan, redirecting our spenddown focus to the heart of California. Centered on a multiracial democracy, inclusive leadership, and community-powered local journalism, our initiative targets the Central Valley—a region lacking philanthropic attention but vital to California’s future.
California’s Central Valley faces several challenges, including a changing demographic, declining local journalism, and a new generation of leaders. The region is considered a battleground for democracy, and its most vulnerable members, such as LGBTQ+ and Trans people, farmworkers, multilingual learners and their parents, and Muslim, Sikh, and Jewish communities, are under attack due to these challenges.
Recognizing the imminent risks of misinformation during this election year, JBMF has seeded the Central Valley Democracy Fund with $500,000. This fund empowers grassroots leaders and bolsters a free press through rapid response allocations and supports 50 partners in the Valley.
We seek to leverage this impact tenfold. Join our fundraising campaign, partner with us to stand up for the Central Valley’s inclusive democracy, and collaborate on a nimble, trust-based, and human-centered approach to grantmaking. Together, let’s shape a resilient and equitable future for the Central Valley and beyond!
Learn more about our grantmaking here.
