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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