Over the summer, our Fair Work team met with worker rights and economic justice leaders across California, to delve into current challenges and opportunities facing low-income workers and where our support might increase workers’ power to shape their lives and livelihoods.

With achievements and aspirations that exceed their budgets, these organizations, not unlike many economic, racial and social justice groups, are punching well above their weight. They are delivering historic wins for workers—from protections against on-the-job retaliation to “fair work week” ordinances to restitution for stolen wages — yet often do so in an environment where funding is insufficient, uncertain, short-term and restricted.

Institutional philanthropy has embraced important and positive changes in recent years, including a growing emphasis on racial justice and more trust-based relationships with nonprofits. But many funders still prefer short-term, project-based grants to multi-year general operating support. The median foundation awarded only 32% of its total grant dollars this way in 2022, and too few of us provide nonprofits with risk capital to support innovative approaches and experimentation, including strategies for tapping alternative revenue sources.

Expanding Nonprofit Revenue Streams

At the same time, we recognize that our support only goes so far, so we are looking into other ways to assure the strength and sustainability of the organizations we support.

We are eager to be part of the conversation. Reach out to us at fairwork@irvine.org and let us know your thoughts on the topic.

Photo credit: Joyce Xi