The Power in Partnership report helps capture the energy and bold vision for collective action from when more than 125 Latine leaders, elected officials, and philanthropic partners gathered for an unprecedented regional convening hosted by the San Francisco Foundation’s (SFF) Latine Kitchen Cabinet.
The Bay Area is at an inflection point. Rising housing costs, widening wealth gaps, and political polarization threaten the stability of Latine communities—and by extension, the region’s economic and cultural vitality. Latine communities make up 22% of the Bay Area’s population and contribute $33.5 billion in annual purchasing power, yet they remain underrepresented in leadership and disproportionately impacted by housing insecurity and economic inequity.
Many of the leaders at the convening shared that these regional issues require regional solutions and coordination, a strong desire to fuel systemic change, not just isolated programs. Power in Partnership identifies four regional priorities that emerged from the convening:
- Nonprofit Sustainability: Build resilience for Latine-led organizations through trust-based philanthropy and leadership development.
- Housing & Local Economy: Support community ownership models and equitable capital strategies that stabilize families and neighborhoods.
- Cultural Narratives: Invest in Latine-led media and storytelling to shift narratives and celebrate cultural power.
- Immigrant & Migrant Justice: Strengthen regional coordination to protect immigrant rights and expand access to legal and social services.
Participants identified these priorities as an actionable roadmap for high-impact work that addresses root causes and offers scalable solutions across the region.
“We ourselves, individually or as organizations, cannot do everything, but together we can.” — José A. Quiñonez, Mission Asset Fund
Among the themes outlined in the report:
- Regional Infrastructure: Funding collaborative tables like the LKC ensures that leaders can strategize beyond county lines.
- Data & Research: Investments in research like the State of Latinos in the Bay Area report inform smarter policy and grantmaking.
- Narrative Power: Supporting cultural initiatives amplifies Latine voices and counters harmful stereotypes.
- Policy Wins: Strategic advocacy funding can unlock housing protections and immigrant justice measures that benefit thousands.
The publication of Power in Partnership is a call to action to stand with Latine leaders and help shape a more equitable Bay Area. Together, we can transform the Bay Area into a region where Latine communities—and all communities—thrive.
