How will California adopt non-traditional learning approaches as it faces economic and technological shifts alongside declining enrollment? Register now to join @zocalopublicsquare.bsky.social on August 5 in Riverside to learn how California can prepare its future workforce: irvine.ly/4fmxMwx

Are you an employer interested in understanding the value of #apprenticeships and how they can help meet California’s workforce demands? Check out this new report from the Bay Area Council and the Northern California Apprenticeship Network: https://irvine.ly/4wJKuuZ#apprenticeships

High turnover isn’t inevitable. 42% of employees who voluntarily left their jobs said their employer could have prevented it. In World Economic Forum, our CEO, Don Howard, and Talent Rewire's Scotland Nash share how employers can move from managing turnover to preventing it: irvine.ly/3Rw8YsE

Forty-two California cities and counties now have minimum wages that exceed the state standard, with some nearing or surpassing $20 an hour. (1/2) @capitalandmain.bsky.social: irvine.ly/4bmXDBR

California has a $60 billion agricultural industry, yet farmworkers continue to earn low wages and face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the state. A new report from Irvine grantees examines how low wages affect the health of farmworkers and their families: irvine.ly/4vT5kbj

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards, five leaders share how funders can better support leaders and organizations — including showing up in the field, sustaining the work, and offering more than financial support. @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social: irvine.ly/3SUoUoO

Five veteran California nonprofit leaders told the James Irvine Foundation what philanthropy gets wrong — from underfunding ongoing services to playing it safe when needs are greatest. Their blunt advice for funders: https://phlnthrp.com/4vGJfg2 @irvinefdn.bsky.social

Have you been hearing conversations around unaffordable housing prices? Since 2019, home prices in the U.S. have risen faster than young adults' incomes. 💸 🏡

In #OrangeCounty, earning up to $104,200 now qualifies as “low income.” This highlights a stark reality: even relatively high‑earning workers are increasingly burdened by housing costs—pushing financial stability further out of reach. @laist.com: laist.com/news/housing...

Interested in recent updates about Irvine’s work? Our CEO, Don Howard, spoke with @insidephilanthropy.com to discuss how we’re working to ensure AI strengthens economic mobility for low-wage workers, our #JustProsperity initiative, and California’s upcoming gubernatorial transition: bit.ly/4wtkhRp

As AI reshapes work and California nears a gubernatorial transition, Irvine CEO Don Howard highlights what this moment demands: listening to communities closest to the problems and solutions, strengthening cross-sector collaboration, and modernizing workforce and safety net systems: bit.ly/4a2IB3A

Want to learn how Fresno leaders are transforming the region for the better? Join @zocalopublicsquare.bsky.social this Thursday at Arte Américas in Fresno, or watch the livestream on YouTube: bit.ly/3QjxJrf

We’re excited to share that Hartnell College and Monterey Bay DART, with support from Irvine, are launching a two-year workforce initiative designed to connect local residents to careers in drones, aerospace technology, and advanced aviation! Learn more: bit.ly/4enVh7F

Through our #JustProsperity initiative, we support organizations that ensure workers and their families have greater influence over the decisions that affect their lives. Our grantee partners share why this work matters: youtu.be/nUPyn0yQeGU?...

Nonprofit workers often face a culture of self-sacrifice, working long hours for low pay to do what it takes to advance their organizations’ missions, a dynamic that frequently leads to burnout. (1/3) @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social: bit.ly/3ROT38w

The Greenlining Institute's Liza Paudel discusses how AI's environmental and economic harms are reinforcing the impact of redlining: bit.ly/3PHdcwM. She also underscores the need for the most impacted communities to have a real say in where data centers are built and how their impacts are managed.

How are leaders in Fresno transforming their region for the better? And what does it mean for the Central Valley and for California? Join @zocalopublicsquare.bsky.social on June 11 in Fresno or online to hear from leaders seeking solutions for a changing Central Valley: bit.ly/3QjxJrf

Interested in connecting with leaders from across sectors who are shaping our world’s future? Register now for the Social Innovation Summit 2026 in Atlanta: bit.ly/4eUStji Don’t miss our CEO, Don Howard, as he joins the Economic Empowerment & Building Financial Resilience breakout session! #SIS26

A new policy brief from the @economicsecurityproject.org outlines steps policymakers can take to protect and empower workers, shape fair and competitive markets, and mitigates AI’s role in worsening the affordability crisis: bit.ly/4uR0Zo2 (1/2)

Courage shows up in many ways, with neighbors helping neighbors, communities protecting one another and everyday leaders building a stronger country for all of us. In the face of hardship and uncertainty, we are happy to honor the newest slate of The Courage Project awardees: thecourageproject.org

Congrats to the @domesticworkers.bsky.social team on the official launch of Ask Aya! Ask Aya, a new AI multilingual chatbot built by and for domestic workers, aims to help educate domestic workers on their rights, negotiate pay with employers, and draft employment contracts: bit.ly/4nkVn2O

In the weeks after the Eaton fire devastated the foothill community of Altadena, local officials followed a familiar script used after other disasters: promising to rebuild, to bring back displaced residents, and to preserve what made the community unique. capitalandmain.com/fire-recover...

Do you want to be part of the conversation about the future of #California as new technology, new leadership, and new ideas shape we live our lives? Join the @calmatters.org Ideas Festival on Thursday, May 21, in Sacramento: bit.ly/4wvZOMy

In a new blog post, Irvine's Lul Tesfai discusses how workforce and safety net programs should adapt in the age of AI, the evolving policy landscape in California, the importance of timely job quality data, and the implications of AI for government and nonprofit services: bit.ly/4w91prf

Following #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, we’re excited to highlight our partnership with JobForward. In this video, Irvine's Sabrina Kansara and Haden Springer share why this partnership matters and how it’s helping expand opportunity for Californians living on low incomes: bit.ly/4tfWJxa

ALMA Backyard Farms, an urban oasis tended largely by formerly incarcerated people, offers a pay-what-you-can market where one in three people live in a household with food insecurity. capitalandmain.com/in-one-of-l-...

At Irvine, we believe every Californian deserves family-sustaining wages, fairness, and influence in the policies that shape their lives. This #InternationalWorkersDay, we’re celebrating all the workers fighting for a better future for all—while showing up every day to keep our communities running.

Are you operating—or interested in operating—registered #apprenticeships? Check out San Diego & Imperial Counties Regional Consortium’s field guide to learn about apprenticeships and explore whether an apprenticeship aligns with your workforce needs: bit.ly/4eTFzlp #NationalApprenticeshipWeek

Tune in to @milkeninstitute.org Abundance and Disruption panel on May 6 at 11:30 AM PDT to hear how leaders are navigating societal shifts, redefining workforce strategies, and supporting long-term economic mobility: bit.ly/4vS0BHa Speakers include our CEO, Don Howard.

The rise of artificial intelligence is prompting college students to second-guess their career paths.

This #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, we want to take a moment to celebrate our critical grantee partners across #California who are expanding and strengthening Registered Apprenticeship throughout the state, especially in these trying times. (1/2)

How are Fresno leaders leveraging population growth, reformed labor union laws, the promise of California High-Speed Rail, and arts & culture to transform the region? Join Zócalo on June 11 to hear from regional leaders seeking solutions for a changing Central Valley: bit.ly/3QjxJrf

@techequity.bsky.social and Economic Security California's new memo highlights AI’s role in California’s affordability crisis, and outlines policy solutions to reduce costs, prevent AI companies from passing energy expenses on to households, and give people control over their data: bit.ly/4mJvrOa

Rising child care costs in the Bay Area are forcing families, especially moms, to make difficult tradeoffs. We need systemic solutions and greater public investment so parents don’t have to choose between their careers and their kids. More in @kqedforum.bsky.social: bit.ly/4exjVTO

The Bay Area is home to more than 2.6M immigrants, including an estimated 477,000 undocumented residents who are essential in key industries. Mass deportations could cost the region as much as $67B due to direct labor losses, supply chain disruptions, and reduced spending. bit.ly/3QjhtWY (1/2)

California’s $20 an hour fast food minimum wage, instituted in 2024, did not reduce employment. It led to only the most modest of price increases—barely noticeable to a consumer. It significantly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers. capitalandmain.com/despite-apoc...

Interested in learning about early educator #apprenticeships? Join ECEPTS on April 28 and 29 to learn how to support the next generation of educators and help sustain early educator apprenticeships. 4/28 webinar: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... 4/29 webinar: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

@measureofamerica.bsky.social’s new report explores the well-being of Los Angeles County residents using the American Human Development Index, which takes into account life expectancy, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. Learn more: bit.ly/4c52jf4

We’re thrilled to share that The James Irvine Foundation Board of Directors approved $185M to support and expand our Just Prosperity initiative! With this additional investment, we're excited to continue partnering with our grantees to ensure the economy works for all Californians. bit.ly/4scjUb9

From AI literacy becoming a job requirement to shrinking pathways for young workers, automated scheduling, and rising costs of living driven in part by data centers, AI is increasingly affecting our communities. bit.ly/4shvRgH 1/2

Rasheeda Childress’ @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social piece highlights the reality that millions of nonprofit workers are not paid family-sustaining wages. When organizations rely on a culture of self-sacrifice, burnout follows, and fewer people are left to carry out the mission. bit.ly/4bB00l8 (1/2)

Too many Californians are forced to juggle multiple jobs, take on gig work, stretch credit cards, and rely on family & friends to get by. Last summer, @ppicnotes.bsky.social spoke with low- and middle-income workers about life in today's economy. Key takeaways below. Read on: bit.ly/3N3G6ps

Nominations for the 2027 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards are now closed. Thank you to all who nominated a California problem-solver or who helped spread the word. #IrvineAwards

How is Irvine thinking about AI's growing impact on low-income workers and their families? Check out our new blog series on Irvine's work to advance a worker-driven approach to AI: bit.ly/4shvRgH

Do you know a leader or leadership pair in California who’s solving issues in your community? Nominate them now at: bit.ly/40Exvww Have questions? Check out the informational webinar at: bit.ly/4s38OWB

Curious about how learning and evaluation leaders in philanthropy are strengthening how they measure and learn about systems change? Check out this blog post by Irvine’s Kim Ammann Howard and Jennifer Ho, and Engage R+D’s Clare Nolan: bit.ly/4cEA4WP

Darla M. Cooper of The RP Group has been awarded a 2026 Leadership Award in recognition of her inspirational work in championing community college success through student-centered research and policy change. Learn more about Darla’s impact at: lnkd.in/g5zC4B7w #IrvineAwards

Celina Alvarez of Housing Works of California has been awarded a 2026 Leadership Award in recognition of her transformative work in advancing sustainable homeless response systems through frontline workforce training and wellness. Learn more at: lnkd.in/gkrnK2vr #IrvineAwards

Virgil Moorehead Jr. And Amy Mathieson of Two Feathers Native American Family Services have been awarded a 2026 Leadership Award in recognition of their impactful work in transforming youth mental health by integrating clinical care, culture, and leadership. Learn more at: na2.hubs.ly/H03_Nvm0

Lian Cheun of Khmer Girls in Action has been awarded a 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award in recognition of her transformative work in strengthening democracy through youth leadership, organizing, and cultural healing. Learn more at: lnkd.in/gAYqruUB #IrvineAwards