The Bay Area Latino Community

Two important characteristics distinguish the Latino community: 1) it is the fastest growing population in our state, and 2) it is a very young population. According to the U.S. Census, Latinos will soon be the largest ethnic minority in the Bay Area region with an average household size of 4.1 members and an average age of 28. Of the 1.5 million children in the region currently, over one-third are Latinos. It is clear that Latino children are the future of the Bay Area. Ensuring that future is a prosperous one requires addressing the needs of the most vulnerable - children up to age 5, and their parents.

Our Grantees

Our grantees are unique. They are the primary source for services critical to lifting families out of the cycle of poverty in the communities they serve. Their core program areas include prenatal care, early childhood enrichment programs, parental education to strengthen family support, and a concentration on teen pregnancy prevention and parenting.

Many of our grantees are small to mid-sized community clinics or non-profits reliant upon restrictive government grants. Typically these grants do not fund expenses for hiring new staff, providing staff training, or purchasing new equipment. As a result, these small nonprofits are caught in a constant struggle to secure basic operating income, often unable to fully achieve the level of organizational efficiency necessary to scale operations or pursue alternate revenue sources.

Foundation grants, such as those awarded by LCF through the LCF Children and Youth Initiative, are a critical resource for these small service organizations. Our combined investment has a direct impact on sustaining and growing these vital community resources. LCF is honored to partner with our Children and Youth Initiative grantees and support their efforts to positively impact the lives of Bay Area Latino children and families.