Message from Miguel A. Santana, President and C.E.O.

August 22, 2023

It is with mixed emotions that I announce that I will be ending my tenure as President and CEO of the Weingart Foundation effective September 30, 2023. I will embark on a new chapter as President and CEO of the California Community Foundation (CCF) starting October 16, 2023.

I have served the Weingart Foundation for more than seven years, initially as a board member and later as its chief executive. During that time, I am proud to have furthered the Foundation’s commitment to racial, social, and economic justice. Notably, we expanded our impact by integrating our grantmaking and endowment, resulting in over $88 million of mission-aligned investments in our community during the last fiscal year alone. This substantial investment represents more than 10% of the Foundation’s total assets.

We have also embarked on a journey of truth and reconciliation, a vital step in solidifying our commitment to being an anti-racist foundation. This process has enlightened our understanding of how racist policies contributed to the wealth we steward. This knowledge also grounds our commitment to our mission and the community.

I hold deep gratitude for the Foundation’s dedicated partners throughout Southern California, from Ventura, Orange and Los Angeles counties, the Inland Empire and the Antelope Valley, to South and East Los Angeles. I look forward to maintaining my relationship with these community partners in my new role at CCF.

My heartfelt appreciation extends to the Weingart Foundation Board of Directors, led by current Board Chair, Monica Lozano and past Chair, Aileen Adams. Equally, I extend my gratitude to the Leadership Team of Joanna Jackson, Vice President of Programs, Tim Ortez, Chief Financial and Investment Officer, and Brian Williams, Chief Operating Officer, and the entire Weingart team. We should all be comforted knowing the Foundation and its mission are in their very capable hands.

I look forward to working with the Weingart Foundation and the broader philanthropic community in the years to come to advance a more equitable and just Southern California for all Angelenos.

Miguel A. Santana
President & C.E.O.

Message from Miguel A. Santana, President and C.E.O.

January 27, 2023

We are mourning the tragic loss of life during recurrent mass shootings in our country. Today, we grieve with the communities of Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay. Our sincere condolence goes out to all the families that lost loved ones during these senseless tragedies and our thoughts are with all those affected.

During difficult times, we turn to community for healing and strength. We are grateful to be inspired each and every day by our community partners and their tremendous effort to provide critical services, build community power, and transform unjust systems. We invite you to learn more about our partners by reading about our latest round of funding.

Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders

Young people today are leading the way in building a just and equitable future. We recently wrapped up the Youth Organizing Capacity Building Initiative, a collaborative effort with partner funders aimed at strengthening the ability of our community partners to lead youth organizing programs and establishing a peer learning community. Check out what we’ve learned and watch this video recap of the initiative: Youth Organizing Capacity Building Initiative Recap.

In step with our commitment to investing in future leaders, we’re proud to share that the applications for the John W. Mack Movement Building Fellows Program are now open. Named after the late civil rights leader and former Weingart Foundation Board Member, the John W. Mack Movement Building Fellows program aims to strengthen and develop current and emerging movement leaders to lead social and racial justice work that results in a more just and equitable Southern California region. Learn about eligibility and how to apply here. The deadline to apply is March 10, 2023.

Looking ahead at the year before us, we look forward to continue to advance our mission of racial justice working hand in hand with our community partners. Their unwavering commitment to community brings us hope.

Sincerely,

Miguel A. Santana
President & C.E.O.

Message from Miguel A. Santana, President and C.E.O.: Celebrating Partnerships

February 22, 2022

We want to celebrate the relationships we are deepening with partners that are using bold ideas and bringing positive change in their communities.

With our partners, we are advancing in three areas that are important to us.

  • We support nonprofit organizations filling the gaps of inequity created by unjust systems;
  • We strengthen collaboratives and organizations working together to increase the positive impact they can have;
  • And we advance big ideas that bring about long term solutions to our region’s toughest challenges.

When it comes to big ideas, we continue to champion bold solutions to homelessness including through our work on The Committee for Greater LA, a group of civic leaders with the shared vision of using the pandemic recovery as an opportunity to advance a more equitable Los Angeles. The Committee recently released research exploring attitudes Angelenos have on the issues of homelessness. Read about what voters are saying in this L.A. Times article and watch the webinar where The Committee shared the findings. Voters have not given up on finding a solution to homelessness in Los Angeles and neither have we.

While we do a lot of work in the core Los Angeles region, our work and partnerships extend throughout Southern California. In this video, I highlight some of the work our new partners are leading. You’ll also meet:

  • Julissa Peña, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Immigrant Legal Defense Center
  • Torie Weinston-Serdan P.h.D., Chief Visionary Officer at Youth Mentoring Action Network
  • Norberto Santana Jr. Editor-in-Chief, Voice of O.C., and
  • Yongsuk “Jesse” Lee, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Street Company.

We look forward to working with these partners and many others as we advance social, racial, and economic equity together.

Miguel A. Santana
President & C.E.O.