LCF Reaches Historic First: Over $7M in Grants This Year
I’m excited to share a milestone for the Latino Community Foundation (LCF): we’ve surpassed $7.4 million in grantmaking this year — including $3.4 million in new strategic grants this quarter alone. This marks the highest grant total we’ve ever reached by midyear and reflects our deep, ongoing commitment to supporting Latino communities across California and beyond.
Our latest grants empower Latino-led grassroots organizations tackling today’s most urgent challenges: leading wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles, creating pathways to economic opportunity, and inspiring civic participation through community outreach and cultural storytelling that shifts narratives and mobilizes communities ahead of the 2026 midterms.
We continue to invest in wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles as part of this broader work. Through the California Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund, LCF has awarded over $2 million this quarter to eight frontline organizations leading recovery on the ground. With this latest funding, our total wildfire recovery investment since January now exceeds $4.1 million. You can read more about these and all our investments here.
As we grow, I’m thrilled to announce the Honorable Lydia Villarreal as the new chair of our Board of Directors. Lydia is a retired judge and longtime advocate for farmworker justice, whose leadership will guide us as we continue to build power and opportunity for our communities.
The challenges facing Latino communities right now are immense — but our response is rooted in power and possibility. What gives me hope every day is the strength, creativity, and courage of our grassroots leaders. They are not only meeting urgent needs but building a future where our communities can thrive with dignity and power.
Thank you for being a vital part of this journey — as partners, donors, and community members. Together, we’re investing in a future where every Latino community rises with strength and opportunity.
By: Julián Castro, CEO