“I work full time, and I can’t afford to live. I’m not saying I want to be rich and live this lavish lifestyle. I just feel like if I’m working 60 hours a week, I should be able to go to the doctor.” – San Diego worker bit.ly/4q7N3U5 (1/2)

“Charting California’s next chapter is the fundamental task before us. It’s time we define our future, a future where we recapture the California dream, where everyone — particularly low-income workers — have the power to advance economically and thrive.” – Irvine CEO Don Howard 1/2 bit.ly/4qQvGrm

We’re happy to share that The LA Local’s expanded newsrooms are now live! The LA Local, which Irvine is a founding supporter of, is dedicated to covering the stories of our neighborhoods with a team of local reporters and editors. Visit TheLaLocal.org to learn more.

Interested in learning more about Californians' perspectives on why their jobs fall short and what they think could be done? Join @ppicnotes.bsky.social on January 15 to hear about key insights from conversations with low-wage and middle-wage workers about their economic challenges: bit.ly/45K3iyZ

This is why workers need a voice on the job. Join us on January 27th, 12-1 pm PST to hear directly about how tech workers are choosing to speak up and lessons they’ve learned in the process. techequity.us/event/worker...

While tech can be used to assist workers or even improve the quality of work, it can also cause harm to workers and their communities. Digital technologies pitched as support can be used to track, monitor, and manage them, as well as suppress their ability to organize.

Want to learn about how tech workers are choosing to speak up, lessons they've learned, and ways you can exercise worker voice? Register now to join @techequity.bsky.social on January 27: techequity.us/event/worker...

Join us on January 27th, 12-1 pm PST to hear directly about how tech workers are choosing to speak up and lessons they’ve learned in the process. techequity.us/event/worker...

Worker voice refers to the ability of workers to represent and pursue interests in the workplace and beyond in ways that improve their working conditions and livelihoods. But how can you exercise worker voice? What are ways you can act individually or as part of a larger group?

As the year comes to an end, we hope this holiday season brings you peace, joy, and time to recharge with your loved ones!

We are happy to share that Susan Masten and Vivian Velasco Paz have been elected to The James Irvine Foundation Board of Directors! Learn more about them here: bit.ly/4pPX8Wc

Fresno County's pilot guaranteed basic income program provided $500 monthly stipends to 150 families over the course of a year, serving as a model for other cities looking to help Californians be more financially secure. Learn more in @fresnoland.bsky.social: fresnoland.org/2025/12/16/g...

We’re thrilled to share the newest awardees for The Courage Project! This cohort channeled their resilience and compassion for others into acts of solidarity – meeting need with action, and isolation with empathy. Learn about them at: thecourageproject.org

A strong economy isn’t enough if workers can’t cover basics or plan for the future. New @ppicnotes.bsky.social analysis spotlights worker voices and practical ways to boost economic security for Californians. Read more: bit.ly/48HIDhf

What can policymakers do to help ensure AI creates opportunities for all instead of increasing division and insecurity? Check out this blog post from JFF: https://bit.ly/4ihIqEi

Health care is one of California's largest and fastest-growing sectors. Public Policy Institute of California explores how different health training programs affect earnings and career opportunities here: https://www.ppic.org/publication/policy-brief-training-for-health-care-jobs-in-california/

Public Policy Institute of California’s latest survey finds 68% of Californians expect economic challenges. But there are also solutions: more funding for child care and job training programs, expanding EITC, and more. Now is the time to listen and act. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3M7Gp1N

UC Berkeley Labor Center found that median hourly wage in East Bay reached more than $35.43 in 2023, nearly $3 higher than in 2019, adjusting for inflation. Despite the higher individual income, workers living at or near poverty rose to nearly 97,000. More in KQED News: https://bit.ly/3Xh6SMv

Thousands of children and teens in California endure dangerous conditions to put food on our tables. This investigation by Capital & Main, in partnership with Los Angeles Times, sheds light on child farmworkers' experiences and the lack of enforcement of child labor laws: https://bit.ly/4oX70Nf

A recent @capitalandmain.bsky.social investigation reveals that California’s system for protecting farmworkers from pesticide exposure is dangerously fragmented. capitalandmain.com/lax-oversight-few-inspections-leave-child-farmworkers-exposed-to-toxic-pesticides

ICYMI: Irvine CEO Don Howard recently joined LatinoProsperity's Orson Aguilar, @techequity.bsky.social's Catherine Bracy, and @unitedwaysca.bsky.social's @pmanzo.bsky.social to discuss the implications of OpenAI’s restructuring plans: youtu.be/tQti5Uh8HnM?...

Lea esta investigación en español. capitalandmain.com/los-ninos-jo...

This investigation by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Robert J. Lopez is based on interviews with 100+ underage and adult farmworkers, experts, labor and agricultural industry advocates and state and local officials. Read the investigation here. capitalandmain.com/californias-...

An investigation by Capital & Main, in partnership with the @latimes.com, found that enforcement of child labor laws is negligible in CA’s fields and that underage farmworkers endure punishing conditions, including extreme heat and exposure to pesticides. capitalandmain.com/californias-...

Thank you @calnonprofits.bsky.social for this discussion about what #OpenAI shift means for philanthropy and our future. youtu.be/tQti5Uh8HnM?... With @catherinebracy.com @techequity.bsky.social @irvinefdn.bsky.social @unitedwaysca.bsky.social @/latinoprosperity #ai #philanthropy #nonprofits

New survey from @ppicnotes.bsky.social found that most Californians are satisfied with their jobs and favor increasing government funding for job training programs. Meanwhile, many continue to struggle with the high cost of living and remain concerned about executive actions and AI: bit.ly/4ptSoFa

ICYMI: Irvine's Don Howard and UC Merced Community and Labor Center's Ana Padilla highlight the impact of federal immigration enforcement on all Californians and what business leaders can do in this piece in Sacramento Business Journal: bit.ly/3JFfnOm

New report from @ppicnotes.bsky.social looks at how young Californians are progressing along key milestones—primarily in work and education—and how these patterns have evolved over time: www.ppic.org/publication/...

As AI transforms jobs, labor is pushing for adoption that centers workers & communities, embraces common-sense guardrails, and improves workers’ quality of life on & off the job. More from UC Berkeley Labor Center: https://inequality.org/article/an-alternative-vision-for-the-future-of-tech-and-work/

Want to learn about how different states are approaching #apprenticeship expansion and innovation? Register now to join Urban Institute on Thursday, November 20 at 9 AM: https://www.urban.org/events/state-led-approaches-apprenticeship-expansion-and-innovation

Emerging technologies are reshaping the workplace. While these technologies can be beneficial, workers and researchers are increasingly reporting negative impacts. Learn more from @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social's Mishal Khan and Annette Bernhardt in @techpolicy.press.web.brid.gy: bit.ly/47K3uP2

There’s still time to register! Join the Urban Institute on 11/20 @ 12:00 p.m. ET for a virtual event on the future of state-led approaches to #apprenticeship expansion and #innovation. #LiveatUrban

The expansion of federal immigration enforcement in California is triggering an economic crisis rivaling the pandemic and Great Recession. Business leaders must again step up and push for solutions. Irvine's Don Howard & UC Merced Community and Labor Center's Ana Padilla share how: bit.ly/3JFfnOm

Shifting opportunities, lasting effects of the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and #AI are impacting the future of young adults in #California. Want to learn more? Join @ppicnotes.bsky.social on November 18 as they share key findings from their latest report: www.ppic.org/event/the-ec...

Congratulations to Charles Fields, Irvine’s executive vice president of programs, for being appointed to the Board of Trustees of Blue Shield of California Foundation! Read more: bit.ly/4opCwDy

Don recently sat down with Kristine Michie to discuss the role of #philanthropy in the AI-driven world, our grantee-partners' efforts to support workers paid low wages, and the importance of having a people-focused strategy. Listen to the full episode of #ThePlayfullPodcast here: bit.ly/4nwkKx8

We’re happy to share that Irvine’s #PriorityCommunities initiative provided a $700,000 grant to the Institute for Social Transformation at UC Santa Cruz! Learn more: bit.ly/47qQNbM

Our CEO, Don Howard, recently spoke with Independent Sector about our work to help ensure #California is a place where all low-income workers can advance economically—and what the social sector must do during these challenging times. Check it out: bit.ly/4o6RPRq

The American Job Quality Study reveals that only 4 in 10 U.S. workers are in jobs that meet their basic financial needs and provide safe, respectful environments, opportunities to build skills, a voice in decision-making, and some control over their time and work. Learn more: bit.ly/3WjvbsN

We’re thrilled to announce the third slate of awardees for #TheCourageProject! From young leaders championing access to education, to faith communities mobilizing in times of crisis, these honorees embody the values that hold our society together. Learn about the awardees at: thecourageproject.org

We know CA will thrive when everyone is paid a living wage, but the reality is that 9.8% of workers in our state are living in poverty. When wages are low and expenses like childcare and housing keep rising, making ends meets remains difficult. @ppicnotes.bsky.social: www.ppic.org/publication/...

@obi-belonging.bsky.social is launching a new podcast series on October 21 at 9–10:30 a.m. PT! Each episode connects lived experiences to forward-looking policies that can move us toward a future where everyone belongs and thrives. Sign up for the launch event at bit.ly/realsolutionspodcast

“At the heart of everything Kent did was his unwavering commitment to protecting and uplifting immigrant workers.” www.latimes.com/business/sto...

Older Americans are having to continue working, often without enough retirement savings to step away. By 2030, more than 1 in 5 U.S. residents will be 65+, underscoring the growing need to advance worker protections and programs for older Americans. @capitalandmain.bsky.social: bit.ly/4gT3RuI

At the Sweet Potato Project, students turn sweet potatoes into marketable products while sampling college life at Fresno State. They also receive mentoring, stipends, and health services to support their journey. Projects like this are exactly what CEMI was created to strengthen: bit.ly/3VKt157

ICYMI: The latest issue of @johnsoncenter.bsky.social’s The Foundation Review features an article by Irvine and our partners at Engage R+D: scholarworks.gvsu.edu/tfr/vol17/is... It highlights how to engage grantees early in strategy development and build reciprocal grantee-funder relationships.

This summer, Irvine’s #BetterCareers initiative supported a group of grantees and key registered apprenticeship organizations in LA to join a delegation of SoCal leaders traveling to Zurich for the CEMETS Summer Institute. What did they learn? Check out the top takeaways below.

The Inland Empire is one of the fastest-growing regions in CA and a vital hub for the nation’s logistics industry, but climate hazards put workers at risk. A new policy brief from the IE Labor and Community Center highlights the need for proactive worker protections: ielcc.ucr.edu/worker-clima...

The Irvine Foundation strongly condemns all acts of political violence. This is a moment for leadership that drives unity rather than division. We join #UniteInAdvance in standing against efforts to weaponize political violence to mischaracterize charitable organizations: bit.ly/3VS653N

Stable and flexible scheduling is a win-win: workers can have better work-life balance and financial stability, while employers see increased productivity and retention. How can employers and policymakers support stable scheduling? Read about it in @urbaninstitute.bsky.social: bit.ly/3HQityc