Why
The San Joaquin Valley is central to California’s economy, food and water systems. It’s also home to a young, growing and diverse population with deep ties to place and work. What happens in the Valley shapes the future of California.
At the same time, the region faces interconnected challenges, including unsafe drinking water, groundwater over-pumping and sinking land, severe air pollution, and persistent poverty. Strong local leadership and organizing, along with new public funding and policy reforms, create opportunities to address these challenges in more equitable and lasting ways.
Where
The region spans eight counties and includes major cities such as Fresno, Bakersfield, Stockton, Modesto, and Visalia, along with many small unincorporated communities such as Allensworth, Cantua Creek, and Lanare.
Smart Growth California’s work in the Valley is grounded in place and shaped by local priorities and conditions.
How We Work
Smart Growth California helped found the San Joaquin Valley Funders’ Collaborative in 2012 as the primary space for funders to learn from one another, stay connected to conditions on the ground and explore opportunities to work together. Meet our SJVFC members.
Over time, philanthropic investment in the Valley has grown alongside stronger relationships between funders and community organizations. The San Joaquin Valley Funders’ Collaborative serves as connective tissue, helping funders understand each other’s priorities and, when it makes sense, take collective action by aligning or pooling resources.
Equitable Land Access
A current example of this work is the Equitable Land Access ad hoc group, a space for funders interested in questions of land ownership and community determination.
In recent years, funders participating in this group have aligned more than $1.5 million dollars to collectively provide technical assistance and support more than a dozen Valley organizations, ranging from community land trusts to emerging community farms. Learn more this work through our partnership with the CA Community Land Trust Network.
Water and Power-Building
Earlier collaboration among San Joaquin Valley funders focused on water rights and power-building. In 2019, spurred by concern about the equitable implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, funders created a three-year, $4.2 million Power, Equity and Clean Water Collective.which has since sunsetted.
Funder Connection
The collaborative brings funders together through bi-monthly, virtual meetings and learning visits. Our recent in-depth site visits included Merced (2025), Allensworth (2024), and Wukchumni farms in Visalia (2022), creating space for funders to deepen their understanding of local conditions and learn directly from the people most affected by regional policy and investment decisions.
Who’s Involved
The San Joaquin Valley Funders’ Collaborative brings together funders from across the state that are investing in the San Joaquin Valley. The steering committee includes representatives from: The California Endowment, Campbell Foundaiton, Common Counsel Foundation, Central Valley Community Foundation, Central Valley Opportunity Fund, Enterprise Community Partners, Hewlett Foundation, Latino Community Foundation, San Joaquin Community Foundation, Sierra Health Foundation, Stanislaus Community Foundation, the Water Foundation, the 11th Hour Project, and an anonymous funder.
Smart Growth California also acknowledges The S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation for their active engagement and leadership and engagement through the completion of its grantmaking and spend-down in 2020.
Get Involved
Funders working to create healthy, equitable communities and sustainable natural systems in the San Joaquin Valley are invited to participate in this funder working group. To learn more, please contact Diana Williams, Program Manager at Smart Growth California.
