our story
Support for Children and Young Adults with Cancer Extends Beyond Treatment Rooms—it Happens Through Mentorship, Education, and Community Engagement.
Stephen's Story
At just 15, Stephen was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a diagnosis that could have shattered his world. Instead, Stephen faced his cancer with a lighthearted spirit, famously saying, “Oh no, I don’t want to lose my hair!” Through a year of intense chemotherapy, Stephen’s courage never wavered. He emerged in remission, went on to earn degrees in microbiology and biology, and is now pursuing his dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist.
Stephen turned his battle into a mission—mentoring young cancer patients, volunteering, and raising funds for cancer research. His story is a beacon of hope for anyone touched by cancer, showing that with resilience and support, you can overcome anything. Stephen’s Soldiers Foundation continues his legacy, standing by young cancer warriors every step of the way.
Every aspect of our life impacts our health.
Access to affordable, quality health coverage when you’re sick is important, but we believe that Californians need neighborhood environments that support health.
Californians need neighborhoods where:
- Children can ride bikes and play together in nearby parks
- Parents can buy healthy, affordable foods at local markets
- Everyone feels safe walking to school or work
Californians need schools where:
- Quality school food and beverages are the norm
- Exercise is part of the school day
- Social-emotional health is promoted, leading to improved behavior and better decision-making
Whether you just stepped foot in California or you were born and raised here, we want your communities, and the local and statewide policies—or “rules”—that affect your life to work for everyone.
With smart grant making good leadership, and people power, we believe we can make the state of health in California better for all.
OUR REASON FOR BEING
Mission
The California Endowment’s mission is to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians.
With smart grant making—which we call “change making”—good leadership, and people power, we believe we can make the state of health in California better for all. We don’t focus on prescriptions.
We focus on fixing broken systems and outdated policies, ensuring the balance of power is with the people.
We don’t focus on the individual, we focus on the larger community as an ecosystem of health. We work with citizens and elected leaders to find lasting solutions to impact the most people we possibly can.
The California Endowment’s mission is to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians.
We call this “narrative change.” Second, integrate smart solutions in communities across the state. We do this by working with our partners and grantees to fundamentally change “the rules”—laws, policies, and systems—that impede health in our communities.
We follow the ABC’s of health equity
The core ingredients of health equity are Agency, Belonging, and Change Conditions. With these in place, there’s better health and more equity for everyone living in California.
OUR COMMITMENT
Vision
We envision a California that leads the nation as a powerful and conscientious voice for wellness, inclusion, and shared prosperity.
- Where the talent and genius of all young people are no longer left on the sidelines, but are central to the state’s future;
- Where California invests in the wellness of all and assures meaningful opportunities for all, particularly the next generations, and those who have been excluded from opportunity because of discrimination, marginalization and stigmatization;
- Where there is racial truth and reconciliation, justice and healing;
- Where public institutions are responsive to, and reflective of, the will of all the people;
- Where all have voice, and are empowered to participate in a robust democracy;
- Where health destiny is not determined by a person’s ZIP code;
- Ultimately making California the nation’s healthiest state, and a model that fulfills America’s true promise of equality and justice for all people.
- Together we will work toward a California for All in the 21st Century.
In support of this vision, The California Endowment will invest in three bold ideas in the decade to come.
These ideas have been shaped by our last decade of listening to and engaging with young people
and grassroots communities across our state. These three ideas are: