Investing where it matters. Supporting what communities need.
The McFadden Finch Foundation funds and supports initiatives that build equity, strengthen neighborhoods, and create lasting opportunities across Oakland and the greater Bay Area.
Our programs are driven by local voices and shaped by real community needs—from housing and childcare to small business and the arts. Each focus area reflects a piece of the larger picture: a thriving, inclusive region where everyone has the power and resources to lead a healthy, creative, and secure life.
Affordable Housing
We support efforts that protect tenants, prevent displacement, and expand access to permanently affordable, community-controlled housing. This includes land trusts, co-ops, affordable developments, and anti-displacement policy work.
We fund:
- Resident-led housing initiatives
- Small-scale affordable housing developers
- Community organizing for housing justice
- Preservation of legacy Black and Brown communities in Oakland
Child Care & Early Learning
Families in the Bay Area are facing a crisis of access and affordability. We invest in childcare providers, early learning programs, and local networks that work to ensure every child receives a strong, equitable start.
We fund:
- Culturally rooted early learning centers
- Family child care providers
- Community organizing for housing justice
- Preservation of legacy Black and Brown communities in Oakland
Community Leadership
Local change requires local leadership. We support grassroots leaders—especially BIPOC, youth, and first-time nonprofit founders—with resources, training, and flexible funding to grow their vision.
We fund:
- Leadership development cohorts
- Youth-led civic engagement programs
- Community organizing and movement-building
- Mentorship and peer support networks
Economic Development
Our region can’t thrive unless its economy works for everyone. We invest in projects that create jobs, strengthen neighborhood economies, and center BIPOC ownership and participation.
We fund:
- Worker cooperatives and collective enterprises
- Community land and real estate trusts
- Local hiring and workforce initiatives
- Development without displacement
Green Development
Environmental justice is economic justice. We support green infrastructure and local environmental projects that prioritize equity, resilience, and community ownership.
We fund:
- Urban gardens and green corridors
- Energy-efficient community facilities
- Climate resilience planning in frontline communities
- Youth green jobs and training programs
Health
Access to quality, culturally relevant care shouldn’t depend on your zip code. We support health initiatives that serve communities historically excluded from the healthcare system.
We fund:
- Community health workers and healing-centered models
- Mental health programs for youth and families
- Public health education led by trusted messengers
- Clinics and pop-up care in underserved neighborhoods
Income and Wealth Building
We believe in shifting not just income—but ownership. We support efforts that help individuals and families build long-term wealth, reduce debt, and gain financial stability.
We fund:
- First-time homebuyer education and support
- Financial literacy for youth and adults
- Credit-building and matched savings program
- Asset-building for returning residents and formerly incarcerated individuals
Safety and Justice
We support alternatives to incarceration, community-based safety strategies, and systems change that center healing and accountability—not punishment.
We fund:
- Restorative and transformative justice programs
- Reentry services and leadership development
- Violence interruption and community mediation
- Youth diversion and peer justice initiatives
Small Business
Small, locally owned businesses are vital to neighborhood identity and economic self-determination. We support business owners of color in accessing capital, space, and mentorship.
We fund:
- Start-up and growth capital for BIPOC entrepreneurs
- Technical assistance and business coaching
- Commercial corridor revitalization
- Community kitchens, pop-ups, and cooperatives
Sports and Recreation
We support safe, vibrant spaces for young people and families to move, play, and connect. Recreation builds confidence, teamwork, and community health.
We fund:
- Youth sports leagues and coaching programs
- Restoration of parks and public recreation spaces
- Inclusive play and wellness programs
- Partnerships with local schools and after-school providers
Arts & Entertainment
Culture is power. We invest in artists, cultural workers, and creative spaces that reflect the voices, histories, and imagination of our communities.
We fund:
- Public art, murals, and cultural preservation
- Community theaters, festivals, and performance spaces
- Artist-led healing and storytelling projects
- Support for Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and queer creative leaders