Find out more about these photos at the bottom of the page.

Protester at CPI's living wage kick-
off rally. Image courtesy of CPI.
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ABOUT MCKAY


VISION

A democracy relies on the engaged energies of its members to remain vibrant and functional. In a society as diverse in background and perspective as the United States, the tasks of democracy are especially promising and challenging.

The McKay Foundation envisions an American democracy that provides fairness and opportunity to all of its members. In particular, we support creative ways to mobilize and empower politically and economically marginalized people so that their voices can be heard and their participation assured.

Democracy succeeds when our civic society of laws, government, and public institutions is informed by a diverse and flourishing civil society. When disenfranchised Americans join together to find ways to accrue and leverage political power they benefit themselves and enrich the democracy. The Foundation supports and works with nonprofit and other membership and community groups to develop a civil society that is fully engaged with civic society and with the political process.








MISSION

To strengthen our democracy and promote a more just and equitable American culture, the McKay Foundation funds activities that build civil society’s energy, leadership, and resources, and utilizes these in the political and policy spheres of civic society. Through grants, capacity building assistance, and other support to allied organizations, the Foundation partners with diverse communities in working for long term social, political, and economic progress.





FOUNDATION HISTORY

The McKay Foundation was founded in 1992, following the unrest and destruction in Los Angeles that resulted from the Rodney King verdict. Noting both gaps and opportunities in the ways funders and nonprofits addressed social and economic issues in California, the McKay family created the Foundation to support low income community organizing efforts that build power among their constituencies and with allies. The Foundation believes that general operating support allows groups to work efficiently and autonomously, and that grantees know best how to use their funding. The Foundation includes the entire McKay family. Their philanthropic spirit comes from a long comittment on the part of Rob, his brother John, and their parents, Robert Sr. and Elaine to use their resources to address social problems.








PHOTO COLLAGE

Top Row (L-R):
[A] Photo courtesy of LAANE. [B] Environmental justice activists test soil for contaminants. Photo: Alex Schoenfeldt, used courtesy of Liberty Hill Foundation. [C] Laotian Organizing Project leaders join activists from across the state to push forward environmental justice policies at the California EPA public meeting in September 2003. Photo courtesy of APEN.

Bottom Row (L-R):
[D] Bob Erlenbusch, executive director of the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness, survey's L.A.'s Skid Row. Photo: Alex Schoenfeldt, used courtesy of Liberty Hill Foundation. [E] Power in Asians Organizing at the polls for the November 2002 elections in Oakland. Photo courtesy of APEN. [F] Photo courtesy of ACORN®




 

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